Early History of Jackson Township, Greene County, Missouri >From "History of Greene County, Missouri," St. Louis: Western Historical Company, 1883. ********************************************************************** According to the best information obtainable Jackson township was settled as early as 1829, when Andrew Bass came in sometime in December of that year and located half a mile west of the present site of Straf- ford. In the same vicinity, though a little east, in section 5, 29, 20 old Jeremiah Pierson was an early resident and one of the first settlers of the county. He lived at the Danforth farm on the Springfield and Marshfield road, a farm which Josiah F. Danforth purchased off Jeremiah Pierson in 1834, and where he lived for many years. Danforth was from Tennessee, and was the father of James, Joseph and William Danforth. In the year 1830, Andrew Bass put about nine acres of land under cultiva- tion at the place where he first settled, and at the close of the year moved about six miles north to section 4, township 30, range 20. The remains of the old pioneer and his wife now repose on the farm where he lived for many years. Alpheus Huff the same year (1830) moved from Franklin county, Missouri and settled near the line between sections 4 and 5 of the same township. Huff was a native of the State of New York. He and Bass were the first settlers of Congressional township 30, range 20. Alexander Chadwick was the next arrival. He came from Tennessee, and settled in section 7, of the same township, in 1831. No settlements of any importance were then made for two or three years. The settle- ment in this quarter was called the Huff's prairie settlement. In town- ship 31, range 20, among the first settlers were Thomas Potter, William Potter, John Adams, Robert Small, James Donnell, and Capt. John Ramey; and in township 30, range 20, William Price, George Kepley, Nathan Webb and Bennett Thrower. The first white child born in the township was probably James Bass, the son of Andrew Bass. The date of his birth has not been learned. The first church organized in Jackson township was the Bethsaida Methodist church, built of logs, which stood on section 7 of township 30, range 20. Within a mile and a half was afterward built the Elm Spring Methodist church, erected after old Bethsaida had ceased to exist. One of the first preachers in the township was the Rev. Mr. Joplin, a traveling Methodist preacher, who preached from house to house throughout that part of the county. The first Methodist society was organized at the widow Price's, in section 4, of township 30, range 20. Rev. Thomas Potter, a Christian elder, preached at Thos. Baylis' house at a very early day. Rev. Potter also taught a pioneer school at Green Warren's and this was one of the first schools in the township. Of course, James H. Slaven's was the first Methodist preacher in all of Southwest Missouri, but it is believed that Rev. H. G. Joplin preached the first Methodist sermon in Jackson township. Rev. Joplin was origi- nally from Tennessee, and was transferred from the Tennessee conference to the Missouri conference, held at McKendrie Chapel, Cape Girardeau county, September 16, 1831. The early settlers of Jackson township had Boonville and St. Louis for most important markets and trading points. The first mill was old Jerry Pearson's, but many of the settlers con- sidered Marshal's, down on the James, the best. John Roberts' still house, east of Springfield ws the first establishment of that kind in the country. Roberts was killed in Springfield by Judge Yancey and the distillery passed into the hand of Wm. McFarland. Jackson was one of the seven original townships organized at the first session of the Greene county court, March 11, 1833. Its first boundaries were very ample and including a great deal of the territory new in Webster and Polk counties. Missionary (Baptist) Church was organized Sept. 11, 1858. It was situated on section 26, township 30, range 20. The ori- ginal members were Daniel Wommack, Mary Wommack, N. T. McNabb, R. B. Wommack, Lucinda Wommack, Rev. J. H. Wommack and wife. The church building was erected in September, 1858, at a cost of about $1,800. It was dedicated on its completion, by Rev. George White, of this county. The pastors of this church have been Rev. D. R. Murphy, who served two years; J. Williams, two years; J. Spain, one year; J. Good, one year; E. W. White, six years; J. H. Wommack, twelve years; and George White. Since its organization the church has received by baptism 124 members; by letter, 97; dismissed by letter, 58; excluded, 12; died 42. The present membership is 108. This church has sent out and maintained a missionary for two years. A first class Sunday school library is the property of the church. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Joe Miller Penny Harrell ====================================================================