Other County Histories | Civil War | 1913 Vol. 1 | 1913 Vol. 2 | 1916 | Depression | | |||
History of Livingston County from The History of Caldwell and Livingston Counties, Missouri. 1886 |
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Boundary -
Physical Features -
Land Entries -
The Name Monroe -
Killing of Austin -
Future Outlook of Monroe Township -
Biographical.
Monroe township comprises all of Congressional township 56, range 25, except
a part of section 24, and lies in the southwest corner of the county. Shoal
creek and its tributaries, Rattlesnake and Muddy, furnish plenty of water, and
good soil and fine grass lands combine to make it an excellent stock growing
township. "The Low Gap Country," as it is now called, can not be
excelled for general excellence in this part of the State.
Monroe township was one of the first settled in the county. On the night of
the 12th of November, 1833, memorable as the date of the great meteoric shower,
or as "the time when the stars fell," John Austin, James Austin,
Abraham Bland, Zachariah Bland, Pur-mort Bland, Zachariah Lee and Isaac
McCoskrie camped on Shoal creek, and afterward entered land in this township.
Thos. Bryan came about the same time, as did Spencer H. Gregory.
The country along Shoal creek in this quarter was well favored and greatly
pleased the pioneers. Game was abundant, the soil was rich, the water plenty and
pure, and the woods were full of bee trees. Other settlers came in from time to
time, and it is said that a few Mormons lived here in 1838.
As soon as the land came in market in 1835, it began to be entered, and the
following entries were made by actual residents up to the year 1840. A few
tracts were taken up by speculators: -
Name. | Description. | |
Spencer H. Gregory
Spencer H. Gregory Spencer H. Gregory Spencer H. Gregory Wiatt Ogle Wm. Fryer Thos. R. Bryan James Austin John Austin Abraham Bland Abraham Bland John Austin Purmort Bland |
w ½ nw. sec. 2.
e. ½ nw. ½ w. ½ ne. sec. 2 n. ½ ne. sec. 3 s. ½ ne. and ne. se. sec. 3 sw. ¼ sec. 3 e. ½ se. sec. 4 se. ne. sw. se. sw. nw. sec. 4 ne. sw. and nw. se. sec. 4 nw. nw. sec. 4 w. ½ sw. sec. 4 se. ¼ sec. 5 e. ½ ne. sec. 5 se. sw. sec. 5 |
Sept. 7, 1835,
May 28, 1836 Sept. 7, 1835 May 28, 1836 Nov. 4, 1835 Oct. 17, 1836 Oct. 17, 1836 Nov. 4, 1835 June 30, 1835 Nov. 4, 1835 May 25, 1835 June 15, 1835. Nov. 4, 1835 |
Name. |
Description. |
Date. |
Thos. Bryan Isaac McCoskrie Thos. Bryan Robertson Bryan Purmort Bland Hopkins Work James Earl James Hamilton John Austin Oliver Walker Henderson McFarland Zach Lee Isaac McCoskrie Henry Hoagland L.A. Brady Zachariah Lee David Fulmer Zachariah Bland W. P. Frazer John Lewis Mann, Whitney & Baker Jesse Coats Mann, Whitney & Baker James Huntsman Jesse Coats W. P. & Emily Frazer W. P. & Emily Frazer W.P. & Emily Frazer John T. Gudgell John Bland Wm. Taylor Zachariah Bland |
nw. sw. sec. 5 w. ½ nw. sec. 5 e. ½ ne. and e. ½ se. sec. 6 nw. ne. sec. 6 e. ½ sw. nw. se. sec. 6 sw. se. sec. 6 w. ½ sw. sec. 6 e. ½ nw. and nw. nw. sec. 6 sw. nw. sec. 6 w. ½ nw. sec. 7 e. ½ nw. sec. 7 w. ½ ne. and ne. se. sec. 7 e. ½ ne. sec. 7 nw. se. sec. 7 e. ½ sw. sec. 7 nw. sw. sec. 8 sw.sw. sec. 8 nw. ¼ sec. 10 s. ½ and w. ½ ne. sec. 10 sw. ¼ sec. 11 se. ¼ and e. ½ sw. ¼ sec. 13 se. sw. sec. 17 e. ½ nw. sec. 18 sw. nw. sec. 19 ne. nw. sec. 20 se. ¼ see. 23 nw. ¼ sec. 24 ne. ¼ see. 26 w. ½ se. and se. sw. sec. 27 n. ½ sw; sec. 27 e. ½ ne. and nw. ne. sec, 28 sw. ne. see. 28 |
Dec. 3, 1835 July 18, 1835 Dec. 23, 1835 Nov. 2, 1836 Sept. 22, 1836 Feb. 15, 1836 June 5, 1837 June 5, 1837 Jan. 23, 1837 Aug. 16, 1836 Nov. 15, 1836 Sept. 9, 1836 Jan. 8, 1836 Dec. 1, 1836 June 7, 1837 Sept. 9, 1830 May 9, 1838 Oct. 24, 1835 Nov. 9, 1836 Nov. 9, 1836 Sept. 16, 1836 April 6, 1837 Sept. 16, 1836 June 1, 1837 March 28, 1837 Nov. 9, 1836 Nov. 9, 1836 Nov. 9, 1836 Nov. 18, 1837 July 11, 1837 Nov. 10, 1837 Jan. 1, 1838 |
Upon the organization of the county and the first meeting of the county court
in February, 1837, the territory now included in Blue Mound, Greene, Mooresville
and Monroe townships, was called Shoal Creek township; but in February, 1839,
the named was changed to Monroe, "in honor of James Monroe." In May
following the township was divided, and the northern part called Greene. In 1833
Blue Mound was organized, and the creation of these townships cut down Monroe to
about its present size.
Monroe township was developed about the year 1860. A few years prior to that
time a number of Northern people came in, and by their industry and enterprise
did much for the general welfare. Some of these Yankees were Republicans, and in
1860 had the nerve to stand boldly up and vote viva voce for Lincoln and
Hamlin. When the war came on a majority of the people were Unionists and early
entered the Federal service.
A young man of Confederate sympathies named Crockett Austin was killed in
this township by some of the militia in 1862. The Federals called at the house
one night, and when he came out of doors he stumbled and fell, and it is said
that he was shot before he could rise. Some of the militia reported that Austin
came out armed, and threatened to shoot, and that this was why he himself was
shot.
After the war, in common with other parts of the country, Monroe township improved rapidly and grew thrifty. The houses were rebuilt and made larger and better, and the farms were generally improved. In time the present condition of affairs came. With the building of the St. Paul Railroad, which was run diagonally through the township, from northeast to southwest, the prosperity of the township can not fail to be abundant and lasting.
A glance at the lives of the many representative men whose names appear in
this volume will reveal sketches of some honored influential citizens who have
passed beyond man's allotted age of three score years and ten, but none are more
deserving at mention than Thomas J. Bryan. On his father's aide he is of Irish
descent, while his mother was of Welsh-Irish origin. Both families of
grandparents came to America at an early day and made permanent homes in
Virginia. Thomas J. was born in White county, Tenn., August 6, 1808, and was a
son of John and Hettie Bryan, nee Anderson, both Virginians by birth, and
in the grand Old Dominion they were reared. There, too, their marriage occurred
and as early as 1790 they became located in Tennessee. John was a soldier in the
Cherokee war. A farmer by calling, he obtained substantial results in that line
and became widely and favorably known. For a number of years he served as
justice of the peace, and he belonged to the Masonic fraternity. In 1845 he died
at his adopted home, his companion following him to the grave in 1848. The
latter was an earnest, consistent member of the Baptist Church. Ten children
born to them grew to mature years and married, but only one besides Thomas J. is
now living, and he resides in Georgia. Brought up as an agriculturist, it was
but natural that Mr. Bryan should permanently adopt that calling as his life
occupation and he has always followed it. With what success has toiled may be
inferred when the fact is mentioned that he now lives in the enjoyment of peace
and plenty upon au estate of 200 acres, well improved. This is the result of
industry and perseverance. Mr. Bryan was married here in 1836 to Miss Jane
Burden who grew to womanhood in White county, Tenn. twelve children have
blessed their happy married life, all of whom are living but two. Nine of these
are married, the sons being farmers, and make their home in Livingston county.
Mr. Bryan is 77 years of age, and is the grandfather of 24 grandchildren, and
also has nine great-grandchildren.
Tennessee has given to Livingston county many estimable citizens, but she has
contributed none more highly respected, or, for conscientious discharge of duty
in every relation of life, more worthy of respect and esteem than was the
subject of this sketch. Andrew J. Bryan was a native of White county, Tenn.,
where he was born, June 6, 1819, and at the time of his death, June 3, 1883,
was nearly 64 years of age. His paternal ancestors were originally from Ireland,
his mother being of Scotch descent. When about 19 years of age he came to
Missouri and for several years occupied a well merited position as an efficient
and capable school teacher. Later in life he engaged in agricultural pursuits,
at which he was occupied when death called him from this earth. Though not
himself connected with any church he always favored any movement tending to the
progress and development of Christ's kingdom here below, ever endeavoring by
precept and example to promote the welfare of those with whom he came in
contact. Neither was he identified with any secret order. His wife was formerly
Martha Elizabeth Caroline Morrison, and she was born in Alabama July 19, 1833.
The children in their family were nine in number; four are married: William C.
resides at Mooresville; Isabella is now Mrs. Thomas Swearingen, her husband
being a well known minister in the M. E. Church South; Pernecy Adalaide, wife of
Rev. John Winstead, who is also in the ministry of that denomination, and a man
characterized for his great zeal and earnest solicitation as a minister of the
gospel; Leroy Templeman, living near the old homestead, and four sons and one
daughter at home. These latter with their mother live upon a farm of 160 acres,
well improved and in good cultivation, and in its conduct they show themselves
possessed of excellent judgement and good executive management. Mr. Bryan during
life was a stanch Democrat. His memory is firmly cherished and his family that
he left are persons of recognized substantial character and worth.
As the oldest living settler in Livingston county Mr. McCoskrie is deserving
of a more extended notice in the biographical department of this work than we
feel at liberty to give. Frequent mention is made of him in other portions of
this volume, and justly, too, for he has occupied no inferior position in the
county's affairs. June 5, 1798, he was born in Bourbon county, Ky., and in 1819
he came to Missouri, then a territory, and for 67 years he has resided in the
vicinity of his present home. His grandfather on his mother's side came to
America from Scotland in an early day, went first to Virginia and later to
Kentucky. Andrew McCoskrie, the father, made his home in Bourbon county, Ky.,
and in Lexington, that State, married Miss Nancy McDowgal, a Virginian by birth.
The educational attainment of the former were of a high order. His occupation
was that of farming, and in which he displayed such characteristics as marked
his energy, industry and perseverance. In the church of his native country he
had been taken when a child, but was never identified with any in America. While
returning from Kentucky in 1822 he died 60 miles from St. Charles, Mo.; his
widow departed this life when 96 years old, near Fredericksburg, Ray county. She
was a woman remarkably well preserved, and when 75 years of age could walk to
the house of a neighbor, distant three miles, without trouble or fatigue. Six
children were in the parents' family: Isaac and a younger brother are the only
ones now living. When he first came here the territory from the Iowa line to the
Missouri river was known as Howard county, and school facilities were only
enjoyed by those who could afford to pay dearly for them. His life has been
spent in active, almost ceaseless, toil until within the past few years, when he
has been retired from hard work, conscious of a life well and honorably spent.
He now lives with his son, an enterprising farmer and stock raiser, who conducts
his place according to advanced methods. Mr. McCoskrie has been an elder in the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church for over forty years. He has always supported the
Democratic ticket, tolerating its views as sound and well suited to any man. He
has been three times married. His first wife was of Scotch nativity, and his
other two were born in this country. He now has 44 grandchildren and 20
great-grandchildren. Of the seven sons and nine daughters born to him only eight
are living, seven of whom are daughters, and their husbands are all farmers. Mr.
McCoskrie was a member of the first court ever held in what is now Livingston
county, it being held four miles north of the present site of Chillicothe. Many
are the changes which have occurred since this esteemed citizen first became
located here, and he has lived to witness the growth of what was once a vast
wilderness to one of the most prosperous and influential counties in the State.
This respected and highly esteemed resident of Monroe township is not unknown
to the any citizens of this portion of Livingston county, among whom so many
years of his worthy life have been passed. Originally from Rutherford county, N.
C., he was born April 22, 1807, his grandparents having been of English descent.
His parents, Hartwell and Nancy (Gear) Wilson, were also natives of England,
emigrating to this country in an early day and settling in North Carolina, where
they were married and where they continued to reside until removing to White
county, Tenn., in 1810. There the father died, the mother's death occurring
after her removal to Jackson county, Mo. In his farming operations ho was very
successful; possessed of unquestioned integrity of character and business
principles, he exerted a commanding influence in various affairs. Politically a
Whig, he was not a member of any church, though adhering to the tenets of the
Baptist faith. The mother was a woman of sincere piety. Nine children were in
their family, all of whom are now deceased save the subject of this sketch. Of a
tender age when taken to White county, Tenn., he was reared there to a farm
experience, his educational opportunities being quite limited. Upon leaving
Tennessee he moved to Illinois and five or six years later to Kentucky, where he
remained but one year, coming thence to Missouri and settling where he now live,
his home being with his second son. On starting in life he received no help from
outsiders, but throughout his career has depended only upon his own resources.
These, however, have enabled him to be most successful in a material point of
view. September 16, 1830, Mr. Wilson was married in White county, Tenn., to Miss
Anna Lane, who was born August 13, 1804, in Bourbon county, Ky. Her father was a
surveyor of recognized ability in Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have had nine
children: Logan L., of Lake county, Cal,; Mary L, of this county; Eliza,
deceased; the fourth child is supposed to be in the Indian Territory; William H.
lives at the old homestead and so does Daniel. Besides these three others are
deceased. Mr. W. and wife are among the oldest settlers in the county, and as
they look back on their past careers they can see little to regret, while the
future of another world stands out brightly. They belong to the Presbyterian
Church.