Springfield-Greene
County LibraryCompiled by Arthur Paul Moser
[1]
Barneyville
See Hickory Creek. (--Campbell's Gazetteer of Missouri, 1874, p. 49.
Bellevue
Bellevue was the 1,100 acre farm of James Robinson, ten miles north of Mexico. (--History of Audrain County, p. 374.
Benton City (Loutre Township)
Sometime (probably a year) previous to the building of the Chicago & Alton Railroad to Mexico, there was talk of running a road through Benton up to Clinton, in Callaway County; accordingly one A. G. Mason, from the East bought 1,300 acres of land where Benton now stands and laid out a town, with a view to inducing the railroad to come through there, but, failing in this enterprise, it was abandoned.Soon after this Samuel Barker moved from Lincoln County, Missouri, and built the first business house, which was occupied by himself and son, Theodore, as a general store...In June, 1881 Major J. S Rollins, had the town resurveyed, and platted, and the plat recorded.
The first blacksmith shop was started by B. F. Griggs, about the year 1870. There were three general stores. Chas. Gray operated oneof the stores and was also the express agent and postmaster. There was a grain elevator, owned by Hisey & James, of Mexico, also another one owned by Whiteside & Orr, a hotel and boarding house, a blacksmith shop and wagon shop. (--History of Audrain County, p. 146.)
It is seven miles east of Mexico and contained 1 general store. (--Campbell's Gazetteer of Missouri, p. 49.)
It is situated on Sec. 2, 11, Twp. 50 N, R. 8 W on A south of 54. (--General Highway Map of Audrain County, issued by the Missouri State Highway Dept., 6-1665. Unless otherwise noted all map locations are from this map.)
It was named in honor of Thomas H. Benton, Senator from Missouri 1820 to 1850. (--How MO Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named, Eaton, First Article, p. 204.
Champ
Champ was on R. F. D. southwest of Mexico. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, Walter Williams, p. 323.)Champ is no longer listed in Audrain County; there is a Champ in St. Louis County. (--Standard Reference Guide of Missouri, 1974, Rand McNally.)
[2]
Cuivre
Cuivre was located in the southeast corner of the county near Montgomery County line. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, Walter Williams, p. 323.)
Davenport
It was located in the extreme northwestern part of the county near Monroe and Randolph County lines. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, Walter Williams, p. 323.)
Farber (elevation 770 feet)
Farber is a station on the C. & A. Railroad...T. K. Gilliland was postmaster; Day & Gilliland, general store; Crow & Sutton, druggists; Isasc Kibby, furniture; A. W. Whonas, blacksmith; Wm. Kinkes, blacksmith; W. Riney, blacksmith; Mrs. Earnhart, Farber Hotel; J. A. Eliza, Hotel; S. C. Adams, physician; W. E. White, physician; _____ Blount, physician. (--History of Audrain County, p. 143.)Frank Draper was the railroad agent. (--History of Audrain County, p. 464. See, also, Encyclopedia of the History of Missouri, Volume 2, p. 414.)
It is four miles northeast of Rush Hill. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, Walter Williams, p. 323.)
It is situated on Sec. 21, Twp. 52 N, R. 6 W on AA south of J.
Francis
Francis was the first station east of Mexico on C. & A. RR. (--Map of Missouri, 1911.)It was situtaed on Sec. 30, Twp. 51 N, R. 8 W.
Grassland
Grassland was a stock farm of W. J. Booth, Esq., President of the Bank of Centralia. It was three miles southeast of Centralia. It was 2,000 acres in extent, 800 acres were in Boone County, and the balance in Audrain County. (--History of Audrain County p. 377.)
C. Haig
C. Haig was the first station southeast of Francis on B.N. Railway. (--Map of Missouri 1925, Rand McNally.)
Hickory Creek (Barneyville)
It was a post-office 22 miles east of Mexico. (--Campbell, p. 49.)Hickory Creek is no longer listed in Audrain County; Hickory Creek (Hickory) is listed in Grundy County. (--Rand, McNally, 1974.)
[3]
Hollensville
Hollensville was located in the northwest corner of the county near Monroe County line. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, Walter Williams, p. 423.)
John's Branch
John's Branch was a post-office 11 miles east of Mexico. (--Campbell, p. 49.)
Laddonia (elevation 780 feet; Prairie Township)
This town was laid out in July, 1876, by Amos Ladd and Col. Haydon, on the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Sec. 36, Twp. 52 N, R. 7 W. Jasper Judkins erected the first house in the place, which was occupied as a hotel by Mrs. Judkins...The first business house was opened by Jacob Todd. Daniel Dustman was the first postmaster. The first school was taught by Mrs. Julia T. Benton, in 1873. The first lumber yard was started by Moore & Benton in 1875. Dr. Freeman was the first physician. The first church was erected by the Baptists. J. R. Gilliland was the first blacksmith and was known as the Laddonia Joker. Peter J. Pierce opened the first drug store... (--History of Audrain County, p. 160.)It is on the C. & A. R.R., 15 miles east northeast of Mexico, and had a population of about 200 and contained a good schoolhouse and a store. (--Campbell, p. 49. See also Encyclopedia of the History of Missouri, 1901, Conard, Volume 3, p. 571.)
It is situated on Secs. 35, 36, Twp. 52 N, R. 7 W and Sec. 2, Twp. 51 N, same range at the junction of 19, 54 & K.
It was named for Amos Ladd, an early settler. (--How MO Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named, Eaton, First Article, p. 204.)
Larrabee
Larrabee is situated in the southwest corner of the county on Boone County line, in Sec. 35, Twp. 52 N, R. 12 W on 151.It has no population. (--Rand, McNally, 1974.)
Leroy
Leroy was a post-office 10 miles east northeast of Mexico. (--Campbell, p. 49.)There is a Leroy in Lafayette County; no population. (--Rand, McNally, 1974.)
Littleby (See Progress)
Littleby Creek, named for an Englishman who settled on it in 1829. He built a cabin, where afterwards he was found torn and mutilated and it was supposed he was killed by wolves. (--How MO Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named, Eaton, First Article, p. 204.)
[4]
Martinsburgh (Martinsburg, Loutre Township)
Wm. H. and Jackson H. Bane were proprietors of the Martinsburgh elevator and corn sheller. Chas. E. Burchard was railroad agent. J. W. Douglas & Co., dealers in general merchandise; Patrick H. Gantt and John E. Fish, composing the first of Gantt & Fish, dealers in general merchandise; Oscar Krueger, dealer in general merchandise; Joseph S. Munster, carpenter and undertaker; J. R. Toneyson, blacksmith and wheel-wright. (--History of Audrain County, pp. 621, 630, 656, 659, 666.)It had a church, school, picture frame factory, bank, newspaper the "Success", hotel, and about fifteen other business places, including stores, shops, etc. There were also coal mines in the vicinity. Population, 1899 (estimated) 300. (--Encyclopedia of the History of Missouri, 1901, Conard, Vol. 4, p. 210.)
Martinsburgh...on the St. L. K. C. & N. R. W. (now Wabash) 14 miles southeast of Mexico, had a population of about 500. It had 1 church, 1 school-house, 6 stores and a cheese factory. (--Campbell, p. 49.)
It is situated in southeast corner of the county on Sec. 24, Twp. 50 N, R. 7 W at the junction of V, N & 19.
It was laid out in January, 1859, by William R. Martin and named in his honor. He was a native of Kentucky and settled near the town site in 1854. (--How MO Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named, Eaton, First Article, p. 204.)
Mexico (elevation 830 feet; Salt River Township)
The original town of Mexico was located in the central portion of the northwest quarter of Sec. 26, Twp. 51, R. 9, and was laid out in April, 1836, by Robert C. Mansfield and James H. Smith...After laying out the town these gentlemen offered to give every alternate lot and a public square to the county, provided that the site was selected by the county as its seat of justice. The commissioners appointed by the Legislature to locate the county seat, selected the town of Mexico. The first sale of lots by Mansfield occurred in the fall of 1836.
The pioneer business men of the town were Morris & White (J. B. Morris and William White)...
Mansfield & Smith opened the first grocery in the town, beginning soon after Morris & White...James L. Stephenson sold dry goods as early as 1840. He purchased a great many hickory nuts during the fall of that year--amounting to several hundred bushels--and the price fell to almost nothing. J. B. Morris, of Mexico, purchased 100 bushels of these nuts for one dollar, and fed them to his hogs...
George W. Turley was among the first merchants.
[5]
Dr. L. N. Hunter established the first drug store in 1850; Dr. Matthew Walton was the first physician. One of the first blacksmiths was C. R. Ward; L. L. Ransey was the proprietor of the first saloon. Fulcher, McGrue, Joseph Mallory and Mrs. Penny were the first school teachers in the town. McGrue died in the town, while his school was in progress.... (--History of Audrain County, pp. 183, 185; see, also, Encyclopedia of the History of Missouri, 1901, Conard, Volume ., pp. 370, 371.)It covers several sections in Twp. 51 N, R. 9 W, at the junction of 54, 153, 22 & FF.
Named for the country of that name, and which was named from the Mexican name for the Maguy plant, which gave the people of that country the necessities of life. It was so named in recognition of the excitement at that time in the State over the growing controversy between Mexico and the United States concerning the independence of Texas. (--How MO Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named, Eaton, First Article, p. 204.)
Modoc (or Ridgeway's Store)
Modoc, or Ridgeway's Store, as it was locally called, was situated in the southern part of Wilson Township, ten miles southwest of Mexico. (--History of Audrain County, p. 227.)
Molino
Molino is southeast of Younger's Creek. (--Map of Missouri, 1910, Rand McNally.)It is in the northwest portion of the county near Monroe County line. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, Walter Williams, p. 323.)
It is situated on Sec. 11, Twp. 52 N, R. 9 W on ZZ north of Z.
It was named by W. R. Dudley from a list of names. (--How MO Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named, Eaton, First Article, p. 204.)
Mail is via Mexico, rural; no population. (--Rand, McNally, 1974.)
Ortiz
Ortiz is the first station north of Callaway County line on C. & A. R. R. (--Map of Missouri, 1911, Rand McNally.)It is situated on Sec. 27, Twp. 50 N, R. 9 W on 54 north of Callaway County line.
It has no population. (--Rand, McNally, 1974.)
[6]
Progress
Progress, formerly known as Littleby, was located in Prairie Township, about 7 miles northeast of Mexico. It had a population of 30, a Baptist Church, and a district school. Mail stage to Mexico and Santa Fe was semi-weekly. (--History of Audrain County, p. 161.)Progress is no longer listed in Audrain County; Progress is listed in St. Louis County. (--Rand, McNally, 1974.)
Rice's Corner
Rice's Corner was situated on Sec. 15, Twp. 51 N, R. 6 W on an unmarked county road west of W and north of AA.
Ridgeway's Store
See Modoc.
Rowe (Wilson Township)
James I. Kirkland was physician and surgeon.
Rowena
It is located in the northwest corner of the county near Monroe County Line. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, Walter Williams, p. 323.)It is situated on Sec. 32, Twp. 52 N, R. 10 W on CC west of 15.
Mail is via Centralia, Boone County -- rural; no population. (--Rand, McNally, 1974.)
It was named for Dr. Samuel S. Rowe, who was a large land owner in the vicinity. (--How MO Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named, Eaton, First Article, p. 204.)
Rush Hill (elevation 795 feet; Linn Township)
James A. Curry, wagon, blacksmith shop and repair shop; Patrick F. Dyer, merchant; James E. Peery, merchant; Emil Ruedy, dealer in hardware and agricultural implements. (--History of Audrain County, pp. 558, 560, 569, 572.)It is nine and one-half miles northeast of Mexico on C. & A. R. R.
It is an incorporated city...five miles west of Laddonia. It had a church, a school, three general stores, a drug store, wagon shop and blacksmith shop. Population, 1899 (estimated) 225. (--Encyclopedia of the History of Missouri, 1901, Conard, Vol. 5, p. 415.)
Laid out by Rush and Hill and the name was suggested from the combination of names. (--How MO Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named, Eaton, First Article, p. 204.)
It is situated on Sec. 7, Twp. 51 N, R. 7 W on B south of KK.
[7]
Saling
Saling was located in the northwest corner of the county near Monroe County Line. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, Walter Williams, p. 323.)
Skinner
Skinner was located northwest of Mexico. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, Walter Williams, p. 323.)
Switzler
Switzler is a discontinued post-office in the northern part of Wilson Township. (--History of Audrain County, p. 227.)
Thompson's Station (Wilson Township)
Business Directory
Jesse Carter, constable; Robert Hisey, grain; Z. C. Hudson, Justice of the Peace; Joseph James, constable; Kerry Hotel, John Rose, proprietor; McDonald & Co., general store; Charles Moore, blacksmith; M. M. Scott, physician. (--History of Audrain County, p. 228.)
Thompson (Wilson Township)
Mason B. McDonald was merchant and stock dealer; M. M. Socott, M. D., physician and surgeon. (--History of Audrain County, pp. 946, 957.)It is situated on Sec. 24, Twp. 51 N, R. 10 W on 22 west of Mexico.
It was named for a pioneer family. (--How MO Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named, Eaton, First Article, p. 205.)
Vandalia (elevation 770 feet; Cuivre Township)
Vandalia is 23 miles east of Mexico, and 27 miles west of Louisiana, and the Mississippi River, on the Chicago & Alton Railroad, and was a town of 800 souls...The town was laid out in 1870 by Aaron McPike, Judge Caldwell, Amos Ladd and Col. Haden...The first three houses in the town were erected by Aaron McPike, and constructed of lumber hauled from Louisiana, a distance of 36 miles.
The first building completed was used as a business house -- general store -- by King & Bros., who were the pioneer merchants. The next general stock was opened by Pearson & Jefferies. Riney & Bro. operated the first drug store. Chas. Hart was the first blacksmith. Martin Collins opened the first hotel and was the first carpenter in the town.
[8]
John Keisel was the first shoemaker and Dr. S. Walrath was the first physician. Dr. Walrath's wife taught the first school. The town was incorporated in 1874, and was organized in 1880, as a city of the fourth class... (--History of Audrain County, pp. 134, 135.)It had a population of about 300, with 5 stores, 1 wagon shop, etc. (--Campbell, p. 49.)
It is situated on Secs. 4, 5, Twp. 52 N, R. 5 W at the junction of 54 & W.
It had four churches, a graded public school, two banks, two flouring-mills, a fire brick plant, coal mines nearby, two hotels, two newspapers, the "Leader" and the "Mail and Express", and forty other business places of different classes. Population 1899, (estimated) 3,000. (--Encyclopedia of the History of Missouri, 1901, Conard, Volume 6, p. 281.)
It was named for the city in Illinois. (--How MO Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named, Eaton, First Article, p. 205.)
Worcester
Worchester was located in Prairie Township. Mark Ephraim was the physician and surgeon. (--History of Audrain County, p. 598.)
Young's Creek
Young's Creek was a post-office 10 miles northwest of Mexico. (--Campbell, p. 49.)Young's Creek derived its name from an early settler, Benjamin Young, who located on it in 1821. Young was a native of North Carolina, living for a time in Kentucky and Howard County, Missouri, before coming to Audrain. (--How MO Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named, Eaton, First Article, p. 205.)