A Directory of Towns, Villages, and Hamlets
Past and Present
of St. Clair County, Missouri

Compiled by Arthur Paul Moser


St. Clair County

[1]

Arlington

Then came a local paper with this description of Arlington:

"Many will ask where and how large the town of Arlington is. It is the first station in St. Clair County, on the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad, and, although laid out but a couple of weeks since, is a town of considerable size. From a gentleman who visited the town one day this week we learn that there are some thirty good buildings completed and under construction, and double or treble that number under contract" ...

The town of Arlington above described was platted, or rather laid out September 22, 1870, and the above article was published October 6, 1870. This is about all that "Arlington" ever amounted to. (--State of Missouri, History of St. Clair Co., p. 1004.)

Appleton City

Appleton City dates its birth but a short time in advance of the iron horse, or what is known as the Tebo and Neosho R. R., now the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad ... The town was not so first named. In 1868, William M. Prier (or Prior) purchased the ground that is now embraced within the city limits of Appleton and platted a portion for a town. He failed to realize on it at that time. (See Arlington.)

In 1870 the only building on the site where now stands the City of Appleton City was a small frame house belonging to William Prier. Appleton City, in Appleton Township, was incorporated December 5, 1870. A flouring mill was owned by Messrs. Rycroft and Moore, and was called the Taberville Mill. It was bought by Messrs. Shoe & Son. (--History of St. Clair Co., pp. 857, 1073, 1011, 1004, 1005.)

The town was platted in 1868 by William M. Prior (sic) under the name of Arlington. It developed but little until 1870 when it was replatted under its present name. (--Encyclopedia of the History of Mo., Conrad, Vol. 1, p. 53.)

It is in the northwest corner of the county, 5 1/2 miles southwest of Montrose (Henry County) and 8 3/4 miles northeast of Rockville (Bates County.) (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, pp. 329 & 401.)

It is located at Sections 5 & 6, Township 39 N, Range 28 W, on Highways 52 & P. (--General Highway Map of St. Clair Co., issued by The Missouri State Highway Department, 6-1-68. Unless otherwise noted all descriptions are from this map.)

Appleton City was named for David S. Appleton of New York City (1824-1890) head of Appleton Publishing Co., in 1872. (--Our Storehouse of Missouri Place Names, Ramsay, p. 57.)

The first building placed upon the new town site was brought from near Rockville, by Charles Speddin, and placed upon Lot 14, block 15, and occupied as a store. (--History of St. Clair Co., pp. 1005-1006.)

[2]

Baker Jackson Township

Baker, in Jackson Township, is one of two post-offices in the county, (1883). It is located on fractional section 3, and was opened in 1869, with Elijah Smith, postmaster. (--History of St. Clair Co., p. 1040.)

It was in the northeast part of the county, 4 1/2 miles southeast of Mt. Zion, (Henry County.) (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, Walter Williams, pp. 399, 501.)

Apparently it was located at Section 3, Township 39, Range 24 W near the Osage River.

Located on General Highway Map of St. Clair Co., with the aid of Map of Western States, 1911, Rand, McNally & Co.

It was a post-office 12 miles northeast of Osceola. (--Gazetteer of Mo., Campbell, 1874, p. 492.)

Bollinger Mill

Joseph Bollinger owned a mill site on Weaubleau Creek (circa 1840). It was on the northwest fractional quarter of Section 19, Township 38, Range 24. On this same site, a mill was built in 1845, by Mr. James Gardner. It was a grist and saw mill, the former having two runs of burrs, and was probably the second mill in the county. It stood for ten years, and was destroyed by a flood. (--History of St. Clair Co., pp. 1042-1043.)

Boot's Mill

A voting precinct in Monegaw Township, January, 1860. (--History of St. Clair Co., p. 871.)

Black Jack

Black Jack was in the southwest section of the county, near the Cedar County line. It was located at Section 22, Township 36 N, Range 26 W, on Highway W.

Brown's Mill, No. 1

A voting precinct in Speedwell Township, on Clear Creek, January, 1860. (--History of St. Clair Co., p. 871.)

Birdsong

Birdsong was southwest of Collins. (--Map of Western States, 1911, Rand, McNally & Co.)

It was in Washington Township. (--Mrs. Lena Wills.)

[3]

Brown's Mill, No. 2

A Mr. Brown erected a saw mill in 1867 on the Osage, near where the present (1883) flouring mills stand, or nearly directly in the rear of the residence of James H. Linney, but down on the river. It was taken down and moved to the Sac to saw the lumber for the $6,000 bridge across that stream, and from there it started on a trip to Vernon County, then back to the Sac, and finally found a resting place at Osceola, as the property of Mr. Fuqua. (--History of St. Clair Co., p. 957.)

Chalk Level Township

Chalk Level Township was originally a part of Monegaw Township, when that township and Weaubleau composed the divisions of St. Clair, while under the jurisdiction of Rives County. When it became St. Clair, in fact, it was still Monegaw, and remained so until November 4, 1869, when Chalk Level became one of the municipal divisions of the county. Just why such a name was given is hard to say. It is level enough in its northern part, but there is precious little level ground in the southern part of the township. The people, however, are "pretty level headed," which will be a solution of the question, satisfactory to the general reader, and they "can chalk it" down. As above referred to, Chalk Level was not organized until 1869, and remained as such until 1872, when its described boundaries were placed upon the records with its sister townships ... The early settlers of what is now Chalk Level Township settled mostly in the southern portion of it. Among those who settled previous and during the year 1838 was John I. Wood, from Virginia, who settled on fractional section 31, in the southwest corner of the township, on the Osage River in 1837 ... In the latter part of 1838 or early in 1839 John Bedell "was awakening the people of Huffman's Prairie with the ring of his anvil." (--History of St. Clair Co., pp. 1023, 1024, 1025.)

Village of Chalk Level Center Township

This village was first started in 1836, and Mr. Ab. Simmons built the first store, and was its first merchant. Hackett & Casey opened the first blacksmith shop; George Lyons, the first carpenter, and Dr. E. H. French, its first physician. The first postmaster was probably Abraham Simmons, as he had the first store. But away back between 1840 and 1850, a post-office was kept by William Browning at his residence on his farm. (--History of St. Clair County, p. 1027.)

Chalk Level village was 8 miles northwest of Osceola, in Center Township, and 8 miles southwest of Lowry City. (--Gazetteer of Missouri, p. 493; New Atlas of Mo., Map #25; The State of Missouri, in 1904, p. 501; Mrs. Lena Wills.)

Chalk Level was located at Section 5, Township 39 N, Range 26 W, on Highway FF, east of E.

[4]

Catherine

Catherine was in the southeast section of the county, and 5 miles north of Gerster. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, p. 501.)

It was located in section 33 of Polk Township. (--Mrs. Lena Wills.)

It was named for the daughter of the postmaster in 1891. (--Our Storehouse of Missouri Place Names, p. 72.)

Chloe

Chloe was in the northeast part of the county, 5 miles south of Browington, (Henry Co.).

It was located at Section 6, Township 39 N, Range 26 W, on Highway 13, north of Lowry City.

It was located at Section 6, Butler Township. (--Mrs. Lena Wills.)

It was named for the daughter of Dr. Phillips, a physician there. (--Our Storehouse of Missouri Place Names, p. 72.)

Cobb

Cobb was in the southeast section of the county, 6 miles north of Rookins, and 9 miles west of Collins. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, p. 501.)

It was located at Section 11, Roscoe Township. (--Mrs. Lena Wills.)

Collins Township

Collins Township was originally a part of Washington, and one of the original townships organized when the county was organized in 1841, and remained a part of that township until 1872, when it became the present Collins, June 5. It is bounded on the north by Doyal and Dallas Townships, on the east by Hickory Co., on the south by Polk and Cedar Counties, and on the west by Washington Township. The county court of St. Clair Co., in 1872, complying with the provision of what is known as "the new township law," cut old Washington asunder, and from it made two townships, one of which retained the name of Washington in honor of George Washington. The citizens of the new township wanted to honor one of the judges of the county, Judge William Collins. Their wish was granted and the new township was hence forth known as "Collins" ... Daniel Molder of Tennessee who came in 1831 and settled on Section 21 of Township 34, Range 24 was perhaps the first settler. (--History of St. Clair County, pp. 1049-1050.)

[5]

Collins

Collins, in Collins Township, is a post-office 13 miles south and east of Osceola. (--Gazetteer of Mo., p. 492; Mrs. Lena Wills.)

It is located at Sections 18 & 7, Township 36 N, Range 24 W, near the Range 25 W line. It is on Highways 54 & 13.

Coon Creek

The third store and second blacksmith shop in St. Clair County outside of Osceola were located on the north side of the Osage River, just above the mouth of Coon Creek, on Section 13 in what is now Roscoe Township. The store was run by Patrick Shields and the blacksmith shop by John Bedell ... The merchants hauled their goods from Boonville. (--History of St. Clair, p. 835.)

Coon Creek Settlement Doyal Township: Allen's Prairie

Mr. Reuben S. Nance, the first surveyor of the county came in the spring of 1835. He started the second or third store in the county, whether before Calvin Waldo's (q.v.) or not, is hard to say. Waldo was in full blast in June, 1836, and Nance purchased two bills of goods in St. Louis, one on April 4, 1836, and one on April 5, the following day, and he opened a store on Coon Creek on the arrival of these goods. The time of arrival is not known ... Clary (not otherwise identified) clerked for him the same year, for in November, 1836, Clardy went to St. Louis, and there settled or paid all of Nance's purchases up to that date. In 1837 it became Nancy & Clardy, and continued until 1839. Nancy settled on Section 34. John Goots started a horse mill about a mile from Coon Creek, on Section 20, soon after he came. (--History of St. Clair Co., pp. 1052, 1053.)

Copeland Monegaw Township

Copeland, on Section 5, of Monegaw Township, was on the Henry County line, approximately 9 miles east of the Bates Co., line. (--The State of Mo., in 1904; Mrs. Lena Wills. (p. 501.))

Corbin Polk Township

Corbin, in section 8 of Polk Township, was 7 miles east of Osceola. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, p. 501; Mrs. Lena Wills.)

A possible location was at Section 8, Township 38 N, Range 24 W, on the south side of Osage River, since the map shows some buildings there.

Located with the aid of Map of Western States, 1911, Rand, McNally & Co., and General Highway Map of St. Clair County.

[6]

Dallas Township

The township lies in the southeast corner of the county being bound on the north by Polk Township, east by Hickory Co., south by Hickory Co., and Collins Township, and west by Doyal Township. It was established, and being Congressional Township 37, of range number 24, on June 5, 1872. Originally, and for a number of years, Dallas Township as now known, was a part of Polk; in fact Polk Township covered this territory up to the above date ... Elijah Rice may be said to be among the earliest settlers in this township. He came in 1837 and settled on the southeast quarter of Section 7 ... R. Eads and Francis Yoast built the first water mill in the township in 1844, and sold to John J. C. Wolfe ... (--History of St. Clair County, pp. 1045, 1046, 1047.)

Doyal Township

It is the creation of the new organization law of 1872, but its territory has been there all the time. It is in fact about the oldest settled township in the county, and can date back to 1832 and 1833. The first election ever held in St. Clair County was held in this township, October 24, 1835, and was for a justice of the peace. The election was held at the house of Daniel Waldo, on Section 8. Waldo owned on Sections 12 and 13, across the river but his cabin was in Doyal on Section 8, as above ...

William Gash, (who was one of the early settlers in the township) first settled on Section 36 and remained one year, and then settled on Section 28 in 1834. It was on this section that the first county and circuit court was held in St. Clair County, March 29, 1841 ...

Doyal Township was established June 5, 1872, "and being all of Congressional Township number 37 of Range 25, and Township 37 of Range 26 east of Sac River, excepting Section No. 6, Township 37, of Range 25." (--History of St. Clair County, pp. 863, 864, 1053, 1054.)

Doyleston or Doyalstown Doyal Township

In 1870, a post-office was established in the township and called Doyleston. It was on the Bolivar Road, some seven miles south of Osceola, and got started in December. H. L. M. Doyal was postmaster. It has been closed. (--History of St. Clair Co., p. 1053; Gazetteer of Mo., p. 492; New Atlas of Mo., Map #25.)

The second post-office by courtesy, was on the Humansville Road, at the house of John A. Culbertson, 12 miles to a post-office. Mail was dropped off there for about 12 years, commencing about 1850. John A. Culbertson settled on Section 27 of Doyle Township. (--History of St. Clair County, pp. 1053, 1054.)

[7]

Damascus Butler Township

Damascus was approximately 5 miles southeast of Lowry City, on Section 32 of Butler Township. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 501; Mrs. Lena Wills.)

It was located at Section 32, Township 39 N, Range 25 W, on Highway CC, east of 13.

It was named for the Biblical town in 1896. (--Our Storehouse of Missouri Place Names, p. 101.)

Donia Speedwell Township

Donia was in the southwest section of the county, 5 miles west of Pape, and 6 1/2 miles southeast of Schell City. (Vernon County.) (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, pp. 501, 531.)

A possible location was a Section 1, Township 37 N, Range 28 W, in Speedwell Township, at then junction of Highways O & H, as the map shows some buildings at this location. (--General Highway Map; Mrs. Lena Wills.)

Dwight Polk Township

Dwight was 3 miles southwest of Harper, on Section 15, of Polk Township. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, po. 501; Mrs. Lena Wills.)

A possible location of Dwight was at Section 15, Township 38 N, Polk Township, Range 24 W, south of Highway 82, as the map shows a small settlement at this point. (--General Highway Map; Mrs. Lena Wills.)

Ebb Roscoe Township

Ebb was near the Cedar County line, 4 1/2 miles north of Lebeck, (Cedar County), and 4 miles south of Oyer. It was on Section 34 of Roscoe Township. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 501; Mrs. Lena Wills.)

Fuqua Mill

In 1867, a practical mechanic and miller by the name of A. M. Fuqua, settled in the county, and gave his whole time and attention to the milling business, both in the erecting and management of them. He had a fine field to display his ability. He was the builder of nearly every mill in the county form that day to this (1883). he is now a prominent citizen of Osceola, and the proprietor of one, and joint proprietor with his son in the mills located in the county seat. (--History of St. Clair Co., p. 957.)

[8]

Gardner Mill

It was put up in 1845. James Gardner, one of the first justices of the peace in the county, erected a mill on Weaubleau Creek, in Polk Township. It was a grist and saw mill ... The mill stood for about ten years when high water carried it off. (--History of St. Clair County, p. 957.)

Gerster

Samuel W. Gerster is a native of Fairfield County, Ohio. He was born on the 20th of June 1854, a son of Johanes and Elizabeth (Goss) Gerster. Johanes was born in Switzerland, and Elizabeth was born in Fairfield County, Ohio. Johanes left Switzerland at the age of 21, and after living in various countries came to Missouri in 1869, and located on the farm on which his son Samuel is now (1889) living. He died in Hickory County in 1880. (--History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade and Barton Counties, Goodspeed, 1889, pp. 589-590.)

(It must be remembered that when St. Clair County was first organized, it included a portion of Hickory County. See opening pages.)

Gerster was located at Section 21, Township 37 N, Range 24 W, on Highway T.

Griesel Collins Township

Griesel was southwest of Harper, on Section 10 of Collins Township. (--Map of Western States, 1911, Rand, McNally & Co.; Mrs. Lena Wills.)

Harlan Junction Doyle Township (Not a Town)

Apparently it was located a short distance north of Vista, since the Kansas City, Clinton & Springfield Railroad crossed the tracks of the Frisco Bolivar Branch here. (--Map of Western States, 1911, Rand, McNally & Co.) A possible location was at Section 4, Township 37 N, Doyle; Range 25 W, north of Highway V, on an unmarked road crossing V.

Additional information General Highway Map: Mrs. Lena Wills.

Note: Laws require that when one railroad crosses the tracks of another, the trains must come to a complete stop; hence Harlan Junction, and other junctions.

Hoffman's Ferry (also spelled Huffman)

The Kelso family, consisting of Andrew, Sr., and his sons John, Benjamin and Andrew, Jr., were the first settlers of the Hoffman Bend section ... Eventually the Kelsos left, and David Hoffman, who came from Virginia, settled near Roscoe in 1836. He started what is known to this day as Hoffman's Ferry in 1839. (--History of St. Clair Co., pp. 833, 837, 1025, 1061.)

[9]

"English Settlement"

Appleton Township, as now known, was a part of Monegaw and Monegaw Township was organized by the Rives County Court, November, 1835. When St. Clair itself became independent, the name Monegaw was not changed, but its dimensions were greatly curtailed ... Appleton Township was not settled as early as many others, because of its vast prairies. The pioneers preferred to be near water ... and this was found in the southeast corner of the township. There was the first settlement. On the Big Monegaw or near it, James Carroll settled in 1839 ... Mr. Carroll' settlement was known as the "English Settlement." (--History of St. Clair County, p. 1002.)

Howard or Ritchie Mill

On the forks of Sac River were Hill, Bob and John Burch and Nathaniel Bell. A. H. Wilkerson and Wash and Henry Whitlow, came about the same time. Old man ward settled the place where Dr. Cox and Avery B. Howard afterward built the mill that is known as the Howard or Ritchie Mill. The first water mill was put up in 1841, on the Sac River, southwest from Osceola about ten miles. It was known for miles around by the name of the "Ritchie Mill." It was with one exception the only mill of the kind in the county for several years. It had two run of burrs and did a good business. (--History of St. Clair County, pp. 833, 956.)

Howard's Mill

A post-office on the Sac River, 12 miles south of Osceola. It was at the eastern edge of Roscoe Township. (--Gazetteer of Mo., p. 492; New Atlas of Mo., Map #25.)

Harper Polk Township

Harper is about 1 miles west of the Hickory Co. line, on Section 12, of Polk Township. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, p. 501; Mrs. Lena Wills.)

It is located at Section 12, Township 38 N, Range 24 W, at the junction of Highways U & 82.

Iconium Jackson Township

It is in Jackson Township, Section 27. The post-office was opened in March, 1879. C. W. Wright was the postmaster in 1883, and also a merchant, keeping a general store. (--History of St. Clair Co., p. 1040; Mrs. Lena Wills.)

It is 10 miles northeast of Osceola, and 4 miles north of Harper. (--Gazetteer of Mo., p. 492; New Atlas of Mo., Map #25; The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 501.)

It is located at Section 27, Township 39 N, Range 24 W, at the junction of Highways Z, U & C.

Iuka Springs Osage Township

It was in Section 15, Osage Township, and south of Johnson City. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 501; Mrs. Lena Wills.)

[10]

Jackson Township

Jackson Township lies in the northeast corner of the county, Henry Co., being on the north, Benton on the east, Polk Township on the south and Butler Township on the west ... In the northeast corner of the township, on fractional Section 1, is to be found one of the finest springs of white sulphur water to be seen in the state. It was discovered by John E. Bouldin in 1837 ... The Osage River makes numerous important bends, (and Horseshoe Bend is one of them). The Horseshoe Bend in the southwest corner makes a very pretty horseshoe in shape, and reaches some two miles into Jackson Township, and the land in the bend belonging to Butler Township. On the north we have Tally's Bend, Waldo Bend and Dawson Bend. J. E. Bouldin came in 1836; one of the Dawsons in 1837; John Waldo, the same year ... James Tally came in 1837, and with his brother John settled in the bend which goes by their name. (--History of St. Clair County, pp. 1038, 1039, 1040.)

Johnson City Monegaw Township

This village came into being at the close of the Civil War, A. J. Crigler building and opening the first store, soon followed by William Hodgson. Then Joseph Herndon built the first blacksmith shop, and rented it to G. W. Stephens for three years. This gave the town a local habitation, and the name given it was in honor of Andrew Johnson, then President of the United States.

The land was owned by James E. Patterson and William Hodgson, and lies in the southeast corner of Section 30, and the southwest corner of Section 29, in Monegaw Township. (--History of St. Clair County, p. 1021; Mrs. Lena Wills.)

It was located in Township 39, Range 27 W, on Highway M., south of A.

It was a post-office 16 miles northwest of Osceola. (--Gazetteer of Missouri, p. 492; New Atlas of Mo., Map #25.)

King's Prairie (Not a Town) Dallas Township

The King Prairie, so called, is the most noted in the township, covering some three sections. The Kings came in 1834 or 35, and owned some 400 acres, and from them took its name ...

It is located at Township 37, (Dallas), Range 24. (--History of St. Clair Co., p. 1048; Mrs. Lena Wills.)

"Looney's Springs" Mill

A grist and saw mill was erected at what was called "Looney's Springs," in February, 1878, which has done some excellent work. (--History of St. Clair County, p. 957.)

See White Sulphur Spring.

Luzerne

Luzerne was at the extreme north edge of Monagaw Township, at the Henry County line. (--New Atlas of Missouri, Map #25.)

[11]

Lowry City Butler Township

The Pride of the Prairie is located at Section 15, Township 39, Range 26 ... It was platted in March 1871, and named in May, 1871, by John Hancock, "Lowry City" in honor of a wealthy resident of Evansville, Ind., for whom he had clerked years ago ... The first postmaster was J. P. Wright. (--History of St. Clair County, pp. 1034, 1035.)

Lowry City is 8 miles north of Osceola, in Butler Township. (--Gazetteer of Mo., p. 492; New Atlas of Mo., Map #25.)

It is located at Sections 15, 18 & 24, Range 26 W, and Range 25 W, all in Township 39, on Highways A & 13. (--General Highway Map; Mrs. Lena Wills.)

Manoa

A voting precinct in Monegaw Township, in January, 1860. (History of St. Clair County, p. 871.)

Martin's Mill

Samuel Martin put up a mill on the Weaubleau in the corner of Doyal Township, and it was kept running for four years. It was then sold and taken to Roscoe where it is yet doing duty, (1883). (--History of St. Clair County, p. 957.)

Monegaw City

As a town it was rather slow to grow, but a Mr. Houck seems first to have made more extensively known the famous medical properties of the waters. He was the first to start the embryo city of Monegaw, and started in as the first merchant. He worked hard to let the virtues of the springs become known and by 1856 and 1857, the city of Monegaw had a population of some 400. It was not, however, very easy of access, and the Civil War ended the town for it has since then ceased to exist. A good hotel building is there, and the famous springs still bubble up ... but that is all that is left now ... A company has been formed to resurrect the dead city ... and it is to be made a summer resort. (--History of St. Clair County, p. 1030.) (--See Monegaw Springs.)

Monegaw Post-Office

Away back in 1844 or '45, Joseph Herndon became the postmaster of Monegaw Post-Office, and held the same for nine years. His house and his hat generally constituted the post-office, being about equally divided according to circumstances. If there was a logging bee or a "raisin'," and he attended, the post-office would be found in his hat. After him came John Reid, and he held on until the office was abolished, and Johnson City, the capital of Monegaw Township, started into being. (--History of St. Clair County, pp. 1021, 1022.)

[12]

Monegaw Springs Chalk Level Township

These famous springs take their name from the equally famous Indian chief, "Monegaw," who was for many years the moving spirit of the Osage tribe of Indians, as well as their chief ... Lindsay and Charles Applegate were the first to settle at or by these springs, and they put up a cabin there in 1833 or early 1834. They had put up also a little water mill, the first in the county, but small. In 1835 James Anderson bought the Applegates claim and lived there for several years. The Andersons came from Virginia. (--History of St. Clair County, pp. 835, 1029.)

Monegaw Springs Monegaw Township

Monegaw Springs are situated in Monegaw Township, one mile north of the Osage River, seven miles from Osceola, and sixteen miles from Appleton City. These springs are contained within a distance of 200 feet, and are 102 in number, each spring being different from all the others. (--History of St. Clair County, pp. 1029, 1030.)

See Monegaw City.

Note: It must be remembered that Chalk Level Township was not organized until 1869, and remained as such until 1872, when its described boundaries were placed upon the records with its sister townships. When St. Clair County was organized there were but two townships, Weaubleau and Monegaw. Chalk Level Township was then organized finally in 1872 and the apparent errors in placing Monegaw Springs in both townships is an honest one. (--History of St. Clair County, pp. 836, 1025.)

Monegaw Chief of the Osages

Finally when the band of Indians had been reduced to but a handful in number, Chief Monegaw called his braves together ... and told them that the homes and hunting grounds of their fathers were no longer theirs, and their home was toward the setting sun.

"Go," he sadly said, "but Monegaw is your chief no longer. My hunting ground has been taken from me. My home on the Osage and the Sac is now in the hands of the white man, and that which has been my home shall be my burial place, and I will leave here only to go to the happy hunting ground beyond the skies." He ceased speaking, and all was silent a few moments, then one by one his braves silently left him, giving him a sad look of farewell. This party was at the cave near the springs, and in that cave "Monegaw" the greatest and bravest of the Osage Indians starved himself to death. (--History of St. Clair County, p. 1028.)

[13]

Monegaw Township

This was one of the original townships, and was first organized in 1841. Its boundaries were then defined by the County Court at the May term, and included within its limits the present townships of Appleton, Taber and Chalk Level ...The pioneers of Monegaw settled mostly in the southern part along the Little and Big Monegaw and their branches ... Here in the south, less than a mile from where Johnson City now stands, the English Settlement, so-called, made a start and four families a home. Joseph Carroll came in 1837 and put up the first cabin ...

"Bunkem" Anderson, so-called, started the first horse-mill, down on or near the creek, in 1834, southwest of Johnson City. The first school was taught in an old log-cabin put up for school purposes at Copperas Springs in 1846. That was the first school house erected, but several years before that a Dr. Trotter taught a school about 1843, and the cabin he taught in was burned by the boys. They got tired of their teacher, and brought the winter term to a sudden end ... On Reid's Creek in 1857, there was a grist mill and a saw mill put up. It had two runs of stones and was called the Monegaw Mills. It disappeared during the troubles. (--History of St. Clair County, p. 1021.)

"No Name" Mill

A saw and grist mill was put up in 1869, with two runs of burrs, which was finished in the winter of 1869-70. One of these mills before the war was owned by James Tally, on the Osage, at Tally's Bend. (--History of St. Clair County, p. 957.)

Ohio

Ohio post-office was established in 1878, with Robert McGauthey as postmaster. It was located about 1 1/2 miles west of its present location. It is now (1883) on the northwest corner of Section 13, Township 39, Range 27. The office was first offered to John G. Warner, who declined it in January, 1878, and it therefore did not open until March, and a new postmaster was found. It was moved to its present site November 15, 1882, and S. G. Craig appointed postmaster. The latter gentleman opened a store, now Ohio, in July, 1882, and the office was turned over to him at the above date, his appointment dating from October, a month previous. (--History of St. Clair County, pp. 1022, 1023.)

It is located at Section 13, Township 39 N, Range 27 W, at the junction of Highways A & F, west of E.

Orion

Orion post-office was started in May, 1871, and C. J. Baldwin was postmaster. There is no such post-office now, and probably Ohio post-office has taken its place. (--History of St. Clair County, p. 1022.)

[14]

Osceola

The first house built upon the site of the City of Osceola was built in the winter of 1835-36. Sanders Nance and his colored man, Martin, cut the logs and hauled them to the bluff back of the residence of James H. Linney. Trouble as to who staked out the claim arose between Nancy and Phillip Crow, and the former vacated the ground, giving Crow possession. Phillip Crow put up the house and also a store, of poles. He was joined by Richard P. Crutchfield, and in March, or about April 1st 1836, the first store within the limits of St. Clair County was started on the banks of Osage River. It was known as "the crossing of the Osage at Crows & Crutchfields," for several years, and the name "Osceola," was given it after the celebrated Indian chief of that name ... In 1839 David Corbin and son built the first frame house put up in the town. When completed it was occupied as a tailor shop by a Frenchman named Ernest Lemming. The lumber used was whip-sawed by the old man Corbin and his sons, in the old style of whip-sawing of that day ... By this time Osceola began to show signs of permanent improvement ... The "Border War" was known all over the United States long before the start of the Civil War, and grew out of the questions that had long been agitated, whether Kansas should be a free state or a slave state. An election was held and the free-staters carried the day by a small majority. (Osceola had nothing to do with the election.) Jim Lane and others ... began a warfare all along the frontier counties of Missouri, bordering on Kansas ... Jim Lane, long before 1861 had threatened to make a raid on Osceola for the purpose of robbing the bank ... Fort Sumter fell ... and eventually Missouri was suffering terribly from the invading armies on three sides of her. In 1861 ... Lane considered his chance for carrying out his long neglected threat of burning and sacking Osceola ... and on the 22nd day of September, 1861, he collected together about two hundred of his band and from a point near Fort Scott, made a bee-line for the town. The bank deposits, amounting to about $150,000 had been removed to other cities for better security ...

On the 23d day of September, 1861, about eight o'clock P. M., Lane and his band entered the town with torches in hand and two pieces of artillery ... The pillage soon began ... The Jayhawkers burst open the doors of the bank, and removed the safe that had contained the money, and blew it open, but only a few papers of no value to anyone except the owners, were there ... Finding himself balked, Lane flew into a towering rage and swore the whole town should be burned and pillaged. The clan were ordered to search the town for anything of value. No citizens from the country were allowed to pass the pickets under any circumstances while the pillage was going on ... In this manner they fired on anyone who dared approach the town. By nightfall the pillage was over ... The court house was broken open and the county records were destroyed, and now Lane ordered his men to scatter and apply the torch to every house in town ... It was not long before the city ... was a smoking mass of ruins. Even the women and children were not allowed to move anything from their homes ... Soon the work of destruction was finished. Lane and his men started with their plunder for Kansas leaving old age and helpless innocence to keep vigil over the dead and wounded ...

[15]

Osceola (Cont)

In his official report to the government, Lane said he had taken over $1,000,000 worth of goods away with him ... and it is safe to say he destroyed a great deal more than he carried away. (--History of St. Clair County, pp. 982-988 inclusive.) **

Osceola First Store

The first store in the county, was Crow and Crutchfield, in March 1836. It was on the Osage River, just north of Osceola ... Phillip Crow came from Kentucky in the winter of 1835, and so did Reuben S. Nance, familiarly known as Sanders Nance ... Nance and Phillip Crow had a row, and the timber which Nance had hauled on the grounds to build a cabin, and the first where the town of Osceola now stands, was given up by Nancy, and Crow took possession. This was in the winter of 1835-36. The store of Crow & Crutchfield was opened in March, 1836, and was the first store in St. Clair County, Richard P. Crutchfield, from Kentucky, joining Crow that winter. (--History of St. Clair Co., pp. 837, 987, 979, 980, 982, 1003. However on page 838, the date of 1835 is given for the opening of the store.)

Osceola Township

Osceola Township was first settled in 1833, and the present City of Osceola in 1834 ... It is one of the six original townships formed by the first county court, in May 1841. When it became a part of Rives County in 1834, the county court of that county at first gave the county of St. Clair the name of St. Clair Township, but in November, 1835, changed it into two townships, calling them Monegaw and Weaubleau. Osceola was then in Weaubleau Township, or a part thereof, and its west line now as then, was the west line of the township ... It is hard to tell who was the first settler. Daniel Perrin, who came in 1835, and settled on Section 23, east of the town site of Osceola was among the first. (--History of St. Clair County, pp. 976, 978.)

**Osceola is located at Sections 17 & 20, Township 38 N, Range 25 W, on Highways B, 13, 82, & W.

Oyer Roscoe Township

Oyer was in the southwest section of the county, 5 miles west of Roscoe, in Roscoe Township. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, p. 501; Mrs. Lena Wills.)

It was located in Section 14, Township 37 N, Range 27 W, north of the junction of Highways VV & 82.

It was named for William Oyer, postmaster, in 1886. (--Our Storehouse of Missouri Place Names, p. 68.)

[16]

Pape (earlier known as Pape's Mill) Speedwell Township

Gordon Pape owned the land on Clear Creek near Tiffin, and put up the first store in connection with the mill, in 1876. In July of the same year, the first post-office in Speedwell Township was given it, with Gideon Pape postmaster keeping the place at his store ... The town was surveyed and platted in April 1878 by Ralph C. Bowler, county surveyor. (--History of St. Clair County, p. 1070.)

It is located at Section 13, Township 37 N, Range 28 W, and Section 19, Township 37 N, Range 27 W, approximately 1/2 mile north of Highway O, and 1 1/2 miles west of OO, in Speedwell Township. It was the post-office for Tiffin, (q.v.). (--General Highway Map; Mrs. Lena Wills.)

Park's Grove

A post-office 12 miles north of Osceola. It was in Butler Township. (--Gazetteer of Missouri, p. 493; New Atlas of Mo., Map #25.)

It was located at Section 6, Township 39 N, Range 25 W. (--New Atlas of Mo., Map #25, with the aid of General Highway Map of St. Clair Co.)

Polk Township

Polk Township lies upon the eastern border of the county, being bordered on the north by Jackson Township, east by Hickory County, south by Dallas and west by Osceola Township. It was one of the six original townships of 1841. In old times, Dallas was a part of this township, and at one time Jackson was also added to it, and remained so some seven months when Jackson was again taken off, and made a separate township ... Joseph Bollinger, with others, came before 1840, and he owned a mill site on Weaubleau Creek. It was the northwest fractional quarter of Section 19, Township 38, Range 24. On this same site a mill was built in 1845, by Mr. James Gardner. It was a grist and saw mill, the former having two runs of burrs, and was probably the second mill erected in the county. It stood for ten years, and was destroyed by the flood waters of Weaubleau Creek and the Osage River. In 1871 there was a talk of a layout of a town on what is called "Thousand Acre Prairie," but it did not succeed. This was in the northern and eastern part of the township. Polk Township has no post-office within its bounds, (as of 1883). (--History of St. Clair Co., pp. 1041, 1042, 1043, 1044.)

Rainey also spelled Raney Doyal Township

It is 9 miles south of Osceola, on Section 19, Doyal Township. (--The State of Missouri, in 1904, p. 501; Mrs. Lena Wills.)

It is located at Section 19, Township 37 N, Range 25 W, on Highway V, southwest of Vista.

[17]

Ritchie Mill

The first water mill was put up in 1841, on the Sac River, southwest from Osceola about ten miles. It was with one exception the only mill of the kind in the county for several years. It was known for miles around by the name of the "Ritchie Mill." It had two runs of burrs, and did a good business. (--History of St. Clair County, p. 956.) See Howard Mill.

Rookins Washington Township

It wa 6 miles south of Cobb, in Washington Township, near the Polk County line. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 501; Mrs. Lena Wills.)

It was a short distance west of Highway J, and located at Section 35, Township 36 N, Range 26 W. (--Map of St. Clair Co.; Mrs. Lena Wills.)

Roscoe

It is said that the original village was located on the river near the ferry, and that not until after the Civil War was it carried to the bluff, its present location. The land was owned by William Goetz. It was then quite a flourishing village and for many years, was, in fact the largest town in the county, numbering about 600. Following the completion of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad, Appleton City soon outgrew Roscoe and by 1870 the population had fallen off nearly one-half, or a population of 302 and within 29 even that of Osceola.

Where the present village of Roscoe stands, Abraham Copenhaver lived and erected the first house on its site, but it was then his farm but by moving the town back and over the bluff, he placed it on his land. The first house was erected by H. Burch, in 1867. It was a business house and he was the first merchant, Dr. G. Selsby was the first physician, Jacob Kehart the first blacksmith, and E. M. Lutz the first carpenter. It being one of the oldest settled towns or villages in the county, it was among the first to aspire to the dignity of an incorporated town. On August 3, 1868, a petition was presented to the county court asking for an order of incorporation of the town of Roscoe ... (--History of St. Clair Co., pp. 1063, 1064.)

Roscoe Township

Roscoe Township is bounded on the north by the Osage River, which separates it from Taber, and parts of Chalk Level and Osceola. On the east the Sac River separates it from Osceola, Doyal and Washington; south by Doyal Township and Cedar County, and west by Speedwell Township. It is the 3rd largest township, being only exceeded in size by Monegaw and Speedwell ... Roscoe Township has the honor of having the first cabin erected within the limits of St. Clair County, within her border. The noted trapper and hunter, Jacob Coonce, put up the first cabin, and located it on Section 11, in the spring of 1831 ... In 1832, Jacob Coonce moved to Washington Township and settled on Brush Creek ...

[18]

Roscoe Township (Cont)

Nathaniel Bell (see county seat fight) settled on Section 33. Wright Hill had a horse mill in 1837, and this was patronized far and near. Abram (Abraham) Copenhaver settled on Section 17 and owned the land on which the town of Roscoe now stands ...

Wyatt's Grove on the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter was the location of the county seat for two terms and it was just north of the line on Section 9 that the fight was made for the location of the county seat in 1841 ... A Mr. Ward located the claim on the Roscoe side of the Sac River, upon which in 1841 the Howard and Ritchie Mill was built, the first mill in the county. He came in 1837. John Howard came from Kentucky, and lived a while in Polk Township, and then moved in 1840 to the Ward place, and in the following year erected the mill. There was also a saw mill at the same place ... The first store in the township was by Patrick Shields who opened up near the ferry, and at the same time and place a blacksmith shop went into operation by James Bedell, in the spring of 1840. Up the river in 1840 Ebenezer Ball located near where Chalk Level joins Roscoe, about three miles from Huffman's Ferry.

Roscoe Township came into being February 11, 1870. The petition was drawn up and circulated in October, 1869, asking for the division of Speedwell Township. This was numerously signed by the "east side' people and presented to the county court in November following. It then laid over to the February term, 1870, and the prayer of the petitioners granted on the day above named. (--History of St. Clair Co., pp. 1060, 1061, 1062.)

Sac River Settlement Cal. Waldo Bend

Calvin Waldo bought the land on the east side of the Sac River, in the forks, or in Osceola Township. It was in this bend that the first store was established in St. Clair County outside of Osceola, and was the second store in the county, Calvin Waldo being the proprietor. It was located on Section 6, Osceola Township, which was in full blast in June, 1836. (--History of St. Clair County, pp. 832, 833, 837.)

Sample

Sample was in the southwest corner of the county. (--Map of Western States, 1911, Rand, McNally & Co.)

A possible location was on Highway W, west of Black Jack, and at Section 21, Township 36 N, Range 26 W, since the map shows a group of buildings at this point. (--Map of St. Clair Co., with the aid of Map of Western States, 1911, Rand, McNally & Co.)

[19]

Snyder Mill

Snyder Mill, on Muddy Creek, in Osceola Township, was a voting precinct in January, 1860. It was owned by James Addington. (--History of St. Clair Co., p. 871.)

Speedwell Township

Speedwell Township is one of the six original townships, and included in her borders the present territory of Roscoe ... This township is the largest in the county and will average about seven and a half miles north and south by nine miles east and west ... Her general boundary can be described as follows: On the north by the Osage River, east by Roscoe Township, south by Cedar County and west by Vernon County ... Portions of Congressional townships 36 and 37 are included ... Allen Phillips, who settled on Section 8, Township 36, Range 28 ... and James Anderson ... who settled on Section 11, Township 37, Range 28, were among the first settlers in the township in the last half of the 1830's. (--History of St. Clair Co., pp. 1066, 1067.)

In February, 1870, Roscoe Township, as now formed, was taken from the territory of Speedwell ... (--History of St. Clair Co., p. 1069.)

Story

Story was east of Ebb and northwest of Cobb. (--Map of Western States, 1911, Rand, McNally & Co.)

Taberville

The village of Taberville was laid out in the year 1859, and was surveyed and platted by Robert H. Sproull. The land upon which the village rested belonged to Dr. Taber ... Dr. Taber built the first house, a store building, and opened the first store ... A blacksmith shop was also started ... It finally reached a population of about 250 to 300 people ... In the winter of 1862-63, the Federal troops took possession of the town, the town being held alternately by the Militia and the State Troops. The latter had possession in the summer of 1863. After holding possession some eight or nine months, the troops left, and the bush-whackers made a descent upon it as a Federal Post, and destroyed all the business houses, leaving the dwelling houses all standing, and doing no further damage. A Mr. Roundtree kept the second store of the place ... Dr. Taber started the first ferry across the Osage at that point in 1858, and then he was followed some years later by Milton Heath, and it was called Heath's Ferry. In 1871, it had a good grist and saw mill, and in 1875, a woolen mill flourished, owned by Dr. Long and others. The flouring mill was owned by Messrs. Rycroft and Moore, and was called the Taberville Mill. It is now (1883) doing duty at Appleton City.

[20]

Taberville (Cont)

The town of Taberville may be considered to be at the head of navigation on the Osage River. In high water boats have ascended the river to Papinville, in Bates County, but there are too many bars and shoal places above it to make it safe for boating. (--History of St. Clair Co., p. 1073.)

Taberville, a flourishing town, 16 miles southwest of Osceola, has a good school house, an excellent flouring mill, 3 business houses and a large local trade. Population about 300. (--Gazetteer of Mo., p. 493; New Atlas of Mo., Map #25.)

It is located at Section 3, Township 37 N, Range 28 W, on Highway H, at the Osage River.

Taberville Mill

The Taberville Mill (on the Osage) remained a while at that point, being the first put up there, but was subsequently removed to Appleton City and was the first mill in that city, and is yet part of the extensive milling and flour manufacturing establishment of C. Shoe & Son. (--History of St. Clair Co., p. 957.)

Tally's Bend Mill

A saw and grist mill was put up in 1869, with two runs of burrs, which was finished in the winter of 1869-70. One of these mills before the war was owned by James Tally on Tally's Bend. (--History of St. Clair Co., p. 957.)

Terry P. O. (Jim Town)

Terry was a post-office two and one-half miles northeast of Gerster. It was located at Section 11, Dallas Township, Township 37 N, Range 24 W, on Highway TT. (--Mrs. Lena Wills.)

Tiffin (Pape's Mill P.O.) Speedwell Township

This little village is the capital of Speedwell Township, and is the only village, as well as post-office within its limits, (1883). Tiffin is located at Section 13, Township 37 of Range 28, but close to Range 27, and at the confluence of Little Clear Creek with Big Clear Creek ... Clear Creek is quite a large stream here, and a mill was put up a few years ago known as Pape's Mill. Gideon Pape owned the land, and put up the first store in connection with his mill in 1876. In July of the same year, the first post-office in Speedwell Township was given it, with Gideon Pape postmaster keeping the place at his store ... The ferry across Big Clear Creek is in charge of John E. Vogel. The saw mill which has been running so many years closed out a few months since. The town was surveyed and platted in April, 1878. Ralph C. Bowles, county surveyor, surveyed and laid out the town that year and month. (--History of St. Clair Co., pp. 1069, 1070.)

[21]

Tiffin (Cont)

Tiffin was located at Section 30, Township 37 N, Range 27 W, at the junction of Highways 82 & O.

Tracy Junction (not a town)

It was on the southside of Vista, since the tracks of the Kansas City, Clinton and Springfield Railroad and the Frisco Bolivar Branch re-cross here. (See Harlan Junction.) (--Map of Western States, 1911, Rand, McNally & Co.)

It was in Section 14, of Doyal Township. (--Mrs. Lena Wills.)

Valhalla

Valhalla was 9 miles east of Lowry City, Section 5, of Jackson Township. (--The State of Mo., in 1904, p. 501; Mrs. Lena Wills.)

Section 5, Township 39 N, Range 24 W.

Vista

It is 5 miles south of Osceola. (--The State of Mo. in 1904, p. 501.)

It is located at Section 10, Doyal Township 37 N, Range 25 W, on Highway V, west of 13. (Map of St. Clair Co.; Mrs. Lena Wills.)

Wagner Mill

The Wagner Mill was built in 1867, with two runs of burrs, and a Mr. Brown erected a saw mill on the Osage ... It was taken down and moved to the Sac to saw the lumber for the $6,000 bridge across that stream, and from there it started on a trip to Vernon County then back to the Sac, and finally found a resting place at Osceola, as the property of Mr. Fuqua, (q.v.). A saw and grist mill was put up in the winter of 1869-70. One of these mills before the Civil War was owned by James Tally, on the Osage, at Tally's Bend. (--History of St. Clair Co., p. 957.)

Cal. Waldo Bend

On Sac River, in the forks, were Dan, Joe and Calvin Waldo, who came to this county among the first settlers, and lived in what is now Doyal Township, although Daniel Waldo purchased on the west side of the Sac River, in Roscoe Township. That bend was known as Dan Waldo Bend, while Calvin bought the bend on the east side, or in Osceola Township, and was called the Cal. Waldo Bend. It was in this bend that the first store was established in St. Clair County outside of Osceola, and was the second store in the county, Calvin Waldo being the proprietor ... It was in Section 6, Osceola Township. (--History of St. Clair Co., pp. 832, 833, 837; Mrs. Lena Wills.)

[22]

Washington Township

Washington Township is composed largely of Township 36 ... In 1870 Washington, then including Collins Township had a population of 599. In 1876, following the separation of Collins Township, it had a population of 301, and in 1880, it had only increased to 346 ... An Indian trading-post was situated on what is now (1883) known as the "Captain Harris Farm," and was kept by a man named Hagle.

Washington Township can claim as being the home of the first settler in St. Clair Co., Jacob Coonce. Although Mr. Coonce lived one year in Roscoe Township he moved to Washington in 1832, and ever afterward made it his home. (--History of St. Clair Co., pp. 1055, 1056, 1057.)

Weaubleau Mill

Samuel Martin put up a mill on the Weaubleau in 1873 in the corner of Doyal Township, and it was kept running for four years. It was then sold and taken to Roscoe where it is doing effective duty, (1883). (--History of St. Clair Co., p. 957.)

White Sulphur Spring Chalk Level Township

This spring is found on the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 27, Township 38, Range 26 W, and is called the Salt Creek Springs. John C. Looney was the first owner of these springs. Dr. John Eliott settled near these springs in 1850, opened a general store near them and tried to get up a summer resort, but failed simply because transportation was not to be found except on horseback and in wagons for twenty-five or thirty miles. (It is north of the Osage River.) (--History of St. Clair Co., p. 1024.)

See "Looney Springs" Mill.

Whitley Village

Tiffin was the post-office for this village in Speedwell Township, Section 19. (--Mrs. Lena Wills.)

Wyatt's Grove Roscoe Township

Wyatt's Grove, on the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 16, was the location of the county seat, for two terms, and it was just north of this line, on Section 9, that the fight was made for the location of the county seat in 1841. Wyatt's Grove was about a mile east of present Roscoe. (--History of St. Clair Co., pp. 857, 1061; Mrs. Lena Wills.)


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