Beginning in section 1, township 38, range 30, on the north and east bank of the Marais des Cygnes; thence following the meanders of the same to section 18; thence up the said stream to a point where it crosses from New Home Township to section 7; thence north about three and three-quarter miles; thence east six miles; thence south about eight and three-quarter miles, to the place of beginning.

The township is excellently watered by a number of streams which flow in many directions. The Marais des Cygnes winds its devious course all along the southern boundary of the township. Flowing south and emptying into the latter stream is Miami Creek, which has Mound Creek and Possum Branch for its tributaries. In the southeast part of the township are Willow, Lone Oak, and the Double Branches. Besides these streams there are two lakes, one in section 9, and the other in sections 7, 8 and 17, the latter covering an area of three or four hundred acres.

Timber and building rock are abundant. Considerable of the land is hilly and broken, but good for farming.

Next in order to the account of Harmony Mission, inseparably connected with its history, and identified with the moral, religious and physical growth of Bates County, should follow in our judgment, the biographical sketch of Dr. William C. Requa, of Lone Oak Township, now one of the oldest living pioneers and citizens in the county -- a man universally respected and honored by his fellow citizens:

To put a stop to all persecutions, on account of religious belief, Henry the Fourth, King of France, issued in 1598, the famous "Edict of Nantes," decreeing that Protestants should enjoy the same rights and privileges in all respects with Catholics, but Louis the Fourteenth revoked it in 1685, and a severe persecution of Protestants, or Huguenots, as they were called, was at once set on foot. To escape this many fled to other countries, some taking refuge in America. Among these was the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, who settled at New Rochelle, New York. The mother of the late President Garfield was also a descendant of the same people. William C. Requa, was born in Westchester County, New York, August 22, 1795, and is now eighty-seven years and four months old. His grandmother was from Aberdeen, Scotland, therefore the blood of the gay, enthusiastic Frenchman, and the Stern, rigid, old Covenanters' is commingled in his veins. He was educated at an academy in Dutchess County, New York. While there the school was visited by a Rev. Mr. Chapman, who was seeking for volunteers to go with him to a mission at Fort Gibson, Arkansas, to the Osage Indians. This mission was established and supported in the same manner as Harmony Mission, in this county, heretofore described in these sketches. In the year 1820, he joined a mission party that went from New York to Philadelphia by steamboat and stage. Thence in wagons with six horse teams, to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Thence down the Ohio and Mississippi and up the Arkansas and Neosho, in keelboats. While going down the Mississippi, Mr. Requa, who was a good swimmer, rescued a son of the superintendent of the mission from drowning. He served as a teacher in what was known as the Union Mission for twelve years. Was married in 1821 to Miss Susan Comstock. Having learned the Indian language, he often preached to the Indians, but was not a licensed minister while there. The mission was disbanded in 1832, and the members scattered. Mr. Requa had at different times made trips through what is now Bates County, and liked the country so well that after roving about and making one trip east, he came to Harmony Mission, near Papinville. His wife died in 1833, leaving two children, both of whom have since died, one leaving a son, Lyman R. Sperry, who is now in school at Butler. He was married in 1837, to Jane Montgomery, who only lived one year after her marriage.

The Mormon settlement in Jackson County having been broken up, two of them had settled in what is now Lone Oak Township, and in 1837, Mr, Requa bought out the improvements of one Daniel Francis, the country not yet having been surveyed and put in market. This has ever since been his home. During his work at the Mission he studied medicine, and after coming to Bates County was ordained as a minister of the Presbyterian Church. So that during pioneer times and the troublous times of the border war and the civil war, besides carrying on his farm, he served the settlers in the capacity of minister and physician, and was acknowledged to be one of the most useful members of society. In 1840, he was married to his present wife. They have six sons and three daughters now living. Two of his sons were soldiers in the Union army. His health is yet remarkably good, and he is enjoying as comfortable and happy an old age as could be expected for a man of his years.

Among other old settlers was William R. Thomas, who came from Pennsylvania in 1844, and located in section 11, township 39, range 31.

Abraham Towner, and Daniel Francis, Mormons, moved to the township as early as 1835. Francis died in Lone Oak before the war, and Towner moved to California, between 1850 and 1860. Daniel Francis, Jr., now resides in Linn County, Kansas. Phillip Stanford lived northeast of Dr. Requa, and finally moved to Texas. George Requa settled in the township as early as 1834, and was one of the Union Missionaries in 1820. He died here before 1860. His wife and children, William, Austin, James, George, Cyrus J., Martha J. and Lucy E. are now living.

James H. Requa opened a farm in 1840, and was possibly the first school teacher in the township. The school house stood southeast of Dr. Requa's farm.

Enoch Humphreys, A. G. Ellidge, Lindsey Wine, John H. Thomas, Joseph Jones, John Blankenbecker, Columbus Blankenbecker, John O. Starr, and John Daniel were all pioneers in the township, and devoted the better part of their lives to the pursuits of agriculture. A few of these brave men are now living. Their early adventures and pioneer experience would make an interesting chapter in the history of Bates County, but for want of space we are compelled to pass them by.

One among the earliest religious assemblies that met in the township convened at the house of Dr. William C. Requa, within three weeks after his arrival. The minister was the Rev. Amasa Jones, the superintendent of the Harmony Mission. The congregation was made up of a few neighbors -- all old settlers.

Before the war of 1861, the Old School Presbyterians and M. E. Church began the erection of a church edifice, called the "Union Church," about one mile north of Dr. Requa's residence. The building was destroyed during the war. In 1880, the same denominations rebuilt a house of worship, which is now called "Willow Branch Church."

Dr. W. C. Requa and wife, W. R. Thomas and wife, Mrs. John Anderson, Mrs. S. J. Requa, William Requa and wife, Mr. M. Ryan and Austin Requa, were among the original members of the Presbyterians, and John R. Thomas and wife, David Thomas, Cyrus Thomas and wife, George Thomas and Aaron Thomas and wife, Mrs. S. E. Requa and D. B. Requa and wife, were among the early members of the M. E. Church. Rev. S. G. Clark preaches for the Presbyterians.

Jacob Hartman was a pioneer shoemaker.

The first apple orchard set out in the township was by Dr. W. C. Requa.

W. R.Thomas erected a wind mill in 1856, on section 11, which ground corn and wheat. This mill was operated by him until the war of 1861, when it was destroyed.

Bates County Missouri MOGenWeb