Wilson Township....

Wilson Township was organized in 1859 along with Pond Creek and Clay upon the formation of Christian County. It is named for James Wilson, the early settler who came to Greene County and settled along the creek named for him, Wilson Creek. He was called a "squaw man" as he lived among the Delaware Indians. Its present boundaries include all of the north 30 sections of T28N and R22W. It is bordered by Christian County on the south, Brookline Township on the west, Campbell Township on the north, and Clay Township on the east. A considerable portion of the Kickapoo Prairie is located within this township. Wilson Creek, James River, and their tributaries are the main water features of the township, with the latter making a horseshoe bend in the southeast corner of the township. The town of Battlefield is the principal municipality of the township.

The earliest settlers in Wilson Township include the already mentioned James Wilson, Albert G. Patterson, John and Nathaniel Patton, and David Wallace. Those coming early, before the Indian removal, had to pay rent as the land was subject to the claim of the Delaware Indians. Others coming later included John Briscoe in 1831, and his sons-in-law, Jacob and Andrew Roller.

Battlefield

Battlefield is named after the Civil War Battle of Wilson's Creek that was fought nearby on August 10, 1861. The town is located on the Missouri Pacific Railroad that came through in 1905. It was platted by the father of Verna Stewart McDaniel on land he owned. It was to have been called Stewart, but due to another town with that name, it took its name from the nearby battleground. Wilson Creek veterans came to their reunions by train, getting off the train at Battlefield and traveling to the battleground by rented rigs.

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