Yankee raised a family of twelve children, nine sons and three daughters, eight of whom are still living, six sons and two daughters. Mary C. was born Dec. 23, 1835; John G., March 7, 1837; Benj. F., Nov. 14, 1838; Wm. H., July 31, 1840; Sarah A., April 5, 1842; Frances A., Nov. 12. 1843; Barbara A., Aug. 27, 1845; Jacob A., Nov. 1, 1847; Arminda C., July 1, 1850; Michael, June 3, 1853; James W., March 8, 1855, and Thos. M., April 22, 1859. Mr. Yankee entered 700 acres of land in Flat Creek Township, part at $1.25 and the rest at 12 cents per acre, which he improved. He has now divided this magnificent estate among his children, giving the old homestead to his son, Jacob A., with whom he makes his home, his wife being dead, having died Nov. 6, 1880, at the age of sixty-six years. Mr. Yankee cast his first vote for Henry Clay, when a candidate for the presidency against Andrew Jackson, and as long as the Whig party was known he affiliated with it. He also belonged to what was known as the Know-Nothing party, and is, at the present time, one of the staunch Republicans of the county. He served as a Grand Juror on the first Grand Jury that was called in the county, Judge Ryland, the father of our present judge, officiating. They met at what was known as "Pin Hook Mills." Amos Fristoe was the clerk, and carried his documents in a basket. Mr. Yankee served as Justice of the Peace for sixteen years, and was elected Judge of the County Court together with Maj. William Gentry and Hampton P. Gray. These two gentlemen were superseded by J. W. Beaman and Andrew Wright. He was also a member of the State Legislature in 1869, and also of the adjourned session of 1870. He was also appointed Superintendent of the Poor of Pettis County. He is a consistent member of the M. E. Church, a gentleman of generous culture, fine executive gifts, large heart, boundless public spirit, and a social nature that has always and every where made him a "prince among men," and from first to last he has been an inspiring worker for the advancement of the county. He has now retired to private life, but from his household is wont to disperse a gracious and refined hospitality.

CHAPTER XXVI.-LAKE CREEK TOWNSHIP.

Introductory-Name-Location-Physical Features-Pioneer Settlers-Creeks-Soils— Drainage Agriculture -- Stock Raizing-Roads-Churches-Cemeteries-Schools-

Incidents-Biographical.

"Adieu, the city's ceaseless hum,

The haunts of sensual life, adieu,
Green fields and silent glens! We come

To spend this bright spring day with you."

INTRODUCTION.-What is said of Lake Creek Township in a prospective view may be said of numerous others in the county. The history as

a township embraces a very limited series of facts in their proper connection, but each of which, indeed, each individual person of the particular portion written of is interested. The American of the present day wants to know how his ancestors lived, what clothes they wore, how they looked, on what they fed, what were their daily tasks and conversations, and how life dealt with them. This is the most difficult history to reproduce accurately, but after all it is that which gives us the clearest and most vivid insight into the history of the past. This important element should never be overlooked, for in no other manner can the growth of the population, the amelioration of manners, the changes in habits and customs, the increase of prosperity or the want of it, and the every-day life of the people be understood and made to subserve the interests of the present. The events that are recorded, are such as occurred at our very doors, were compassed by men whom we knew, and which affect our individual interests for weal or for woe. It is only while these events are fresh in the memory that one may form accurate estimates of their relative importance, and be impartial and candid in forming his judgments; he may also from present circumstances, which have an original in remote times, and which are historical in the largest, fullest and truest sense, freed from conjecture and uncertain tradition, read the promise of the future. Space forbids more than a brief mention of the accomplishments of the agricultural interests of this township, from the period of its occupancy by the red man to the present time. The early settlers who came to the township found the Indian, who, though not an agriculturist, because he thought it beneath his dignity to cultivate the soil, did it as a matter of necessity to secure a living, though mainly through the labor of women and children. Agriculture in the early times was but little in advance of that of the aboriginal period before them, though its improvements were rapid, and are now up to the high state which one sees in a day's ride over the inland portion of Missouri. The people who settled Lake Creek Township were of that hardy pioneer class such as are found all over the western portion of the country. They were principally from the old Virginia and Kentucky stocks, than whom none better is to be found.

NAME. This township derived its name from the creek which flows in a northeasterly direction through the southeastern portion of the township. It is supposed that the creek was named Lake Creek, for the reason that it winds a sluggish course through the heavy soil, and forms numerous bayous or small lakes, often densely populated with fish and water fowls. When a flood comes down from its sources it overflows its banks and spreads far out, covering thousands of acres of the bottom lands, and sometimes for days and even weeks at a time presents the appearance of a lake, filled with growing trees and underbrush whose heads rise just above the surface.

ORGANIZATION of the township into a civil division of the county was effected under the township organization by order of the Pettis County Court, Nov. 5, 1872. It occupies the southeastern corner of Pettis County, and it is bounded on the north by Smithton Township, on the east by Morgan County, on the south by Benton County and on the west by Flat Creek Township. It contains thirty-six square miles or 23,040 acres, just a congressional township. The voting place of the township is at the Catholic School House.

One of the early justices of the peace in this locality was Esq. Jacob Seagraves, who came to this place in 1819. Levi Devoll, for a number of years since the township organization has been justice of the peace for Lake Creek.

PHYSICAL FEATURES.-Land in this township is not much unlike other portions of southern Pettis County. In the northeast a high rolling prairie divide begins, and extends through the township to the southwest corner, in width averaging about four miles. This is acknowledged to be the best agricultural portion of the township, though good farms and flattering inducements are offered the honest tiller of the soil in every locality in southeastern Pettis county.

The principal stream of water is Lake Creek, from which the township derives its name. Its sources are in Benton County, and it enters this county and township in section thirty-three, flowing in a northeasterly direction; it leaves the township and county from section one emptying into Flat Creek and thence uniting with Lamine River, in Morgan County. A branch of Lake Creek unites with the main stream from the south in section fourteen. Mosbys Branch rises near the center of the township and flowes north and west, at last finding its way into Flat Creek in Smithton Township.

The prevailing physical feature is prairie, though somewhat broken along the creeks, where also we find abundant timber for home consumption, fire-wood, rail timber and fence posts. The system of drainage is good, no swamps or swamp land which may not be utilized for pasturage or cultivation. Near the center of the township in section twenty-seven may be found a rich deposit of lead, intermingled with silver. By a certificate, after a chemical examination, it is stated that these mines are the richest in the State, being eighty-four per cent lead, and eight and threefourths ounces silver to the ton of lead. The vein is thirty-three inches in thickness and twenty feet from the surface of the earth. These mines belong to Mr. Henry Brauer, who lives in section twenty-eight and owns the farm. Mr. Brauer first discovered these rich mines about five years ago while digging a well.

EARLY SETTLERS.-The first settlers were among the most brave and

intrepid characters who early came to this county. George Gotze, who formerly lived in this township, died in the State of Kansas, about one year ago, at the advanced age of 103 years. His daughter-in-law and several grandchildren, among whom is George H. Goetze, whose biographical sketch appears in another place in this work, still reside in this township. A few of the pioneers of the township are: Jacob Seagraves, who came in 1819 from Tennessee, but is now dead. Scott Gilmore came in 1832 from Virginia, and is now dead. Thomas Jack settled in this township in 1827, coming from South Carolina; he emigrated to Oregon several years ago, where he now resides. Wm. A. Miller came from Germany in 1819, and now rests in peace in one of the burial grounds of the county. Judge Wm. Boker also from Germany, came to the township in 1845, when the country was still very wild, and he still resides here an honored and respected citizen of the county. Herman Kahrs came from Germany in 1840, and lived in the township a number of years, and now resides in Sedalia. John Kahrs also came in the same year from the same place and is now dead. John G. Bruhl, who is mentioned further on in this history, was one of the early settlers, and has long since passed to his final rest and the reward which his long and useful life so richly deserved. John A. Clausan came in 1843 from Germany. Henry Brauer came the same year and from the same place, and still resides in the township. Marshall Seagraves was born in the township in 1820, and was perhaps the first white child born in the township. He is now dead. Henry Weymerth came in 1840, from Germany, and still lives in the township. John Hook came here in 1825, from Virginia, but has, with most of the pioneers, passed away. Herman Mahnken was married to Margaret Ficken, on July 16, 1846, in the M. E. Church. Sebastian Bard was the first minister of the M. E, denomination. Dr. Bradford was the first physician in the township. In 1832, John Hubbard taught the first school on John Kahrs' land. The first church erected was the German M. E., on land bought from Cord Miller.

The citizens in this township are principally German, though there are about eight families English-American. The political affiliations are principally Republican, though both parties have a fair representation.

ENTERPRISES AND INDUSTRIES.-As with the other rural townships the people here are engaged in farming and stock-raising. Some as fine farms as there are in the county are here located, and the number of head of stock annually driven to shipping points compares very favorably with that of its neighbor townships.

Mr. Isaac Anderson is one of the prominent and enterprising farmers of this locality.

Thomas W. and W. H. Rhodes are worthy real estate owners, and make farining a thorough success, raising, buying and selling stock. W.

H. Rhodes has a fine flock of 600 sheep. More particular mention of these men is given in the biographical department of this history. The farms are of medium size, capable of producing all kinds of crops usually grown in this latitude. They are well fenced, and within the past year nearly all the fencing was done with the barbed wire. Their principal market is Sedalia, though Smithton receives a limited share of trade.

Orchards are not extensive, though young trees are now being grown quite extensively. The insects at times make such havoc with all kinds. of fruit trees that some horticulturists have become discouraged in their endeavors to produce orchards. Small fruits, as in all other parts of Missouri, have a fine growth, and if proper attention is given to them they produce in abundance.

CHURCHES.-German Lutheran, German Catholic and German Methodists are the religious organizations of this township. The adherents of the Catholic faith are most numerous. Then, in point of numbers of those who usually attend church, we mention the Lutherans and then the Methodists.

The cemetery owned and used by the Catholics and Lutherans is located near the two churches.

The St. John's Catholic Church is situated in the southeast corner of the township, on the south half of the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section thirty-five, township forty-four, range twenty. It was organized in 1838, by John Gerlach Bruehl, and the building was erected in 1848, by the original ten members, as below enumerated. John G. Burehl settled in the township in 1834, and was one of the early settlers in Pettis County. He came here with a company of young men from St. Louis in search of minerals, and especially lead, as he came from a mining country in Germany. He came under the auspices of an organized company in St. Louis, who made it a business to search for minerals in Missouri. Mr. Bruehl came from Herdorf, Rhine Province, Germany, and made his permanent residence in this township. He was a very popular man, and for years was justice of the peace of the township, where he settled all difficulties of the new settlers. The names of the original members of the church were: John G. Bruehl, Edward Bruehl, Joseph Schwiegerath, Karl Dueher, P. N. Reush, I. H. Stein and Henry Imhauser. The present membership is forty two. The pastors' names since 1846 are: Revs. James Murphy, of Boonville; Joseph Meister, Gerge Juerk, Joseph Blaarer, Francis Buesse, Henry Vander Sanden, (who is at present Chancellor of the Arch Diocese of St. Louis,) H. V. Kalmer and Hilner attended this place from Tipton from 1869 to 1877, H. A. Schmidt, (who built the present parsonage,) and Andrew Giete, C. P. P. S., the present incumbent. The church is furnished with all necessary vestments of the