Beginning at the northwest corner of section 6, township 38, range 29; thence east six miles to the northeast corner of section 1, township 38, range 29; thence south about five miles to the southeast cornet: of section 25, township 38, range 29; thence west six miles to the southwest corner of section 19, township 38, range 29; thence north, three and three-quarter miles to the place of beginning.

The Osage River forms the southern boundary line of the township. Shaw Branch runs through the western portion of the township, and Camp Branch and Panther Creek a little east of the center. The banks of the streams are covered with plenty of timber. The land is undulating and good for agricultural purposes.

One of the first to settle within the present limits of Rockville Township was Robert Belcher. In 1837 he settled in section 11. He was a native of Virginia, where he was reared to manhood, and in 1818 removed to Clarke County, Kentucky, and thence to Madison County, in that state, and for four years was employed as overseer for Green Clay. In 1825 he emigrated to Boone County, Missouri, where he was engaged in farming and stock raising until 1838, when he came to Bates County. He married Mary Ann Cole, a native of Virginia. Mr. Belcher died in 1856. Mrs. B. died in 1859.

Among the other old settlers was a man by the name of Bridges, who settled south of Rockville, on the Osage River. He was the first blacksmith in the township.

William Anderson, a native of Virginia, settled two and a half miles west of Rockville in 1837 He died about 1858. Claybourn Anderson, father of William, taught the first school. The building was of logs, and was located in the northeast corner of section 10. It was built by the patrons of the school. Claybourn Anderson had no family living, and lived with his son. He afterwards left the county.

The first shoemaker was Berry Hunt, who came in the fall of 1838. He was from Virginia, and settled in the southeast part of the county, on the Osage River.

Matt Millering came to Rockville Township in 1856, from St. Charles County, Missouri, but is a native of Germany, and settled in the east part of the township.

John N. Belcher came from Boone County, Missouri, before 1855.

William Hollingsworth came before the war, and located in the east part of the township.

Wiseman Hollingsworth was also an early settler, and opened a farm in the southeast part of the township.

David O. Deever, and his father and family, were from Indiana, before the war of 1861, and settled in the southeast part of the township.

Frank Logan, from Germany, took a claim in the eastern part of the township.

John H. Wilker, from Germany, settled there in 1856.

Thomas Belcher and William Shaw were also residents of the township before the war.

Game was in great abundance in the township even as late as 1868. During that year Mr. Matt Millering saw as many as thirty deer in one herd; he often saw twenty. The wolves were so numerous and so bold, in 1868, that they would often venture at night into the yard surrounding the residence of the farmer and take away a lamb, and in many instances a calf.

In 1856 there was not a church edifice or school house in the present limits of Rockville Township.

The town of Rockville was laid out July 29, 1868, by William L. Hardesty, and is situated on the northeast quarter section 14, township 38, range 29. It contains a population of about 700, and is located on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad. Nicholas Johannes erected the first business house in the town. A handsome iron bridge (50 foot span) has been erected across Panther Creek at the town. The surrounding country is good for farming, and some portions of the township are noted for the excellent quarries of white sandstone, which is shipped in large quantities all over the country. One of the most important quarries is located in section 2, called Laughlin's quarry.

Rockville was incorporated in May, 1878. The first board of trustees were: J. M. Booring, chairman; A. A. Wood, W. F. Piquet, L. Johannes, W. A. Cooper.

1879 -- W. H. Dever, chairman; J. M. Wells, S. D. Shaw, H. Sim- mons, W. Robinson.

1880 -- J. M. Boeringer, chairman; J. O. McBride, J. F. Ward, N. Johannes. Boeringer resigned, and J. F. Ward and J. O. McBride, served as chairman the same year.

1881 -- J. M. Boeringer, chairman; N. Johannes, J. O. McBride, W. C. Shaw, J. F Ward.

1882 -- J. D. Strain, chairman; W. D. Lanier, J. L. Richardson, N. Johannes, W. Robinson.

The present school building, 24x48 feet, two stories (frame) was erected in 1871, at a cost of $4,047. The number of children in the school district is 220. Professor Clark is principal of the schools, and Mrs. Clark, assistant teacher. The present school building not being sufficient to accommodate all that attend, a building has been rented for a primary department. Miss Davis is the teacher.

were built in 1879-80, by W. C. Douthett. There are three run of stone, two for wheat and one for corn. They have improved machinery, and have a capacity of about twenty barrels per day. The mills are now operated by S. L. Vickers, and does an exclusive merchant and exchange work.

was organized June 20, 1882, with the following members: Peter Outcult and wife, J. D. Strain and wife, Robert Strain, William Strain, Mrs. Manchester, Ida Manchester, Etta Manchester, Charles Outcult, Mrs. Berry, Mrs. Little, C. Parker and wife, E. Parker, Ida Parker, Miss Butler and J. Simmons. Hold service once each month. Rev. S. G. Clark pastor. They have no church building. They have a Sabbath School, J. D. Strain being superintendent.

Organized July 11, 1881, with the following members: O. J. Berry and wife, John Evans and wife, Luke Wilson and wife, John W. Evans, W. H. Mead and wife, Emma L. Belong and Emma Mayse. The number of the present membership is forty-two. They have no church building. Rev. J. H. Vories, pastor.

Frame building, 28x38, commenced in 1880 and not yet completed. Will cost about $1,300. Number of present membership, sixty-five. Rev. S. P. Salloway pastor.

Bates County Missouri MOGenWeb