Source:
History of Clay and Platte Counties, Missouri
Publ. 1885

CHAPTER XX

MAY TOWNSHIP
Pages 872-885

Boundary -

     May township was formed from Carroll and Pettis and includes nine sections of the southwest of township 53, range 33, nine sections of the northwest of township 51, range 33, four sections of the northeast of township 51, range 34 and six sections of the southeast of township 52, range 34, and contains 28 square miles.  The township was named for Dr. May, a native of Kentucky, who came to Platte county and settled in what is now May township, at the head of Todd's creek.

Physical Features -

     This township, like Platte county generally, was originally a timbered district, a small portion being prairie.  The general surface is uneven and in some places the soil is thin and a small portion even rocky.  Some very fine farms have been cleared in the township and it numbers among its settlers some of the representative agriculturists of Platte county.  Fresh water springs are found in different sections and it is well watered by Todd's creek, Second creek and other small streams having their source in this county.

Early Settlers -

    The first settlers in the township, like the early settlers of other townships, have mostly past away.  Among these were Wm. Brown, Townsend Brown, James Brown, Wm. Hoy, Samuel Hoy, Dowell Durbin, Allen Chance, Adam C. Woods, William Woods, Wm. Fox, Wm. Fox (No. 2), John Andrews, William Berry, James Berry, Wm. Lewis, Dowd English, J. B. Cox, Bradley Cox, Wilson Williams, Gen. Rodgers, Wm. Wilson, Washington Drew, Peter Rodgers, Wm. Conway, R. C. Brown, L. Allen, J. W. Drew, Sashell Brown, John Broadhurst, J. C. Cyster.  The population of the township in 1880 was 899.

Barry -

     Barry is in the southeastern part of the township; is situated on the line dividing Platte and Clay counties, and is partly in both.  The first building in the place was erected by Glenn Burnett, the brother of Peter Burnett, in 1834.  It was a one story log building used for store purposes.  We have made mention of this place in connection with the history of Clay county, a portion of its limits being within that county.  In 1837 there were about six houses there.

Pioneer Preachers and Church Members -

     James Cox, a native of Kentucky, was the first minister; he belonged to the Christian Church known as Reformers.
     The Primitive Baptists built a log church four miles west of Barry in 1840.  Peter Simpson was the first preacher of this denomination.  He was noted for his manner of dress, which was usually a blue coat with brass buttons.  The Browns and Hoys were among the prominent members of the Baptist Church, while James and William Berry, Allen Chance, Hiram Waller and Gen. Rodgers were pillars in the Christian Church.  Richard Cain is thought to have taught the first school in about 1841 or 1842.

Linkville - Principal Business Houses of the Place - Its condition as a Business Center -

     is situated on the north line of the township, and was laid out in 1871 by Levi Link and John Harrell, partners in the first store.  In 1873 they sold out to Henry Nichols.  Nichols sold out in 1876 to Thomas Slaughter.  About one year after Jesse and Thomas Slaughter became partners, and built a new store room, and Crigler & Nunnelly put a stock of drugs in Slaughter's old building.  Nunnelly afterward sold his interest to Dr. Adkins, and Crigler & Adkins sold out to J. O. Johnson & Co.  The principal business houses are J. O. Johnson & Co., general store; Slaughter & Elgin, general store; W. Thornhill, saloon.  Mr. Slaughter is the present postmaster.
     The town is nicely situated, at the edge of the prairie, on the cross roads between Platte City and Liberty and Smithville and Parkville, making a regular thoroughfare, and the surrounding country being thickly settled, as natural consequence there is a great deal of travel through here and the business of the town of prosperous.

BIOGRAPHICAL

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