Pettis County, Missouri Genealogical Records Information

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Pettis County History and Information

Pettis County Facts

Pettis County was organized January 26, 1833, from Cooper and Saline counties and named for Spencer Pettis, Missouri congressman. The County Seat is Sedalia. See also County History or Courthouse History for more historical details.

Pettis County has records of genealogical interest available: Recorder of Deeds: Index to deeds, 1833-1885; Deed records, 1833-1888; Index to marriage records, 1833-1922; Marriage records, 1833-1916; Negro/colored marriage records, 1865-1874. Clerk of the County Court: Permanent record of births, 1883-1885. Clerk of the Circuit Court: Index to circuit court records, 1838-1890; Circuit court records, 1833-1886; Naturalization records, 1903-1906; Declaration of intents, 1891 -1906. Clerk of the Probate Court: Index to probate records, 1834-1 934; Probate records, 1837-1886; Administrator’s/executor’s letters, bonds and records, 1833-1882; Inventories, appraisements and sale bills, 1868-1887; Settlement records, 1868-1887; Guardian’s/curator’s records, 1868-1882; Will records, 1835-1921. The Health Department has Birth & Death Records from 1910-Present. See Court Records for more details on whats available from the courthouse.

Counties adjacent to Pettis County are Saline County (north), Cooper County (east), Morgan County (southeast), Benton County (south), Henry County (southwest), Johnson County (west). Cities and Towns include Green Ridge, Houstonia, Hughesville, Ionia, La Monte, Sedalia, Smithton, Windsor

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There are free downloadable and printable forms to help with your research. These include U.S. Census Extraction Forms, U.K. Census Extraction Forms, Research Calendar, Ancestral Chart, Research Extract, Correspondence Record , Family Group Sheet , Source Summary Form.

Pettis County Court Records

See Also Missouri Land Records, Marriage Records, Court & Probate Records

PLEASE READ!! Please call the clerk's department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics before visiting or requesting information because of sometimes changing contact information.

All Departments below are in the Pettis County Courthouse located at 415 S. Ohio Ave., Sedalia, MO 65301; Telephone: (660) 826-1136 , unless otherwise noted below. The Official County website is located at http://www.pettiscomo.com/ . See also Courthouse History. NOTE: The record dates below are from the earliest date to present time.

Pettis County Clerk of the Court has Birth & Death Records from 1883-85.
In this office in each county is located an index to common pleas, records of all extant proceedings, chancery minute books, records of births and deaths, county court records, right-of-way and road records, as well as surveyor's records (including field notes and plats made by the county surveyor). This office usually holds the county treasurer's notes, bonds and commissions, records of marks and brands, wolf scalps, stray notices, real estate assessments, and tax books. In some counties, early terms for this court included “Chancery” or the “Court of Common Pleas.”

Pettis Register of Deeds / Recorder has Marriage Records from 1833 and Land Records from 1833.
The Office of Recorder of Deeds records and files instruments of writing affecting real property or personal property, subdivision plats, federal and state tax liens, and other instruments of writing. Also, the Recorder’s Office issues marriage licenses, and in accordance with the Uniform Commercial Code files termination statements. All recorded instruments are available for public research.

Pettis County Probate Court Clerk has Probate Records from 1833 .
In the smaller counties, probate matters are handled in the same office as the associate circuit court office. (In larger counties, there will be a separate probate court clerk's office and separate probate judges/commissioners).

Pettis County Circuit Court Clerk has Court Records from 1833.
This office holds the direct index to records such as divorces, debt, dissolution of partnerships, adoptions, judgment, and tax fee books including direct and indirect indexes. They also retain the index to criminal records and criminal files of the circuit court. Adoptions are under the jurisdiction of the circuit court. Naturalization records, including petitions, declarations of intention, certificates, and certificates of allegiance, and granting of citizenship are also located in the clerk's office, as well as an index to civil case files. Some naturalization records have been found with the deeds.

There are a few online databases for Court, Land and Probate Records which include:Missouri Marriages, 1766-1983, Missouri Marriages to 1850, Missouri Marriages, 1851-1900. You may also search the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or Land Patents: 1831 - 1969. Many pioneers and settelers bought land from the government instead of individuals.

Click Here to Search Missouri Court, Land, Wills & Financial Records! - Researchers often overlook the importance of court records, probate records, and land records as a source of family history information.

Below is a list of online resources for Pettis County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Pettis County Court Records by clicking the link below:

Pettis County, Missouri Court Books at Amazon.com
Missouri Immigration & Emigration Records - Immigration records help the family historian to understand the movements of their ancestry as they relocated to different parts of the world.

Pettis County Vital Records

See Also Research In Tax Records

The Missouri Historical Society has some original tax records; others can be found in the Western Historical Manuscript Collection at the University of Missouri, but most extant records remain in the office of the clerk of the county court. The Missouri State Archives has microfilmed some tax records for the counties of Boone, Callaway, Cape Girardeau, Chariton, Clay, Cooper, Franklin, Howard, Marion, Monroe, Montgomery, St. Charles, St. Francois, and Ste. Genevieve.

Prior to 1850, purchasers of the federal lands in Missouri were exempt from land taxes for five years after purchase. If one finds an ancestor on a Missouri tax list with livestock, etc., but no land being taxed, the individual may have purchased his land from the government within the preceding five years.
Some early delinquent tax lists were sent to the state auditor's office and are now located in the Capitol Fire Documents held by the Missouri State Archives

Below is a list of online resources for Pettis County Tax Records. Email us with websites containing Pettis County Tax Records by clicking the link below:

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Pettis County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Missouri Genealogical Addresses

The Repositories in this section are Archives, Libraries, Museums, Genealogical and Historical Societies. Many County Historical and Genealogical Societies publish magazines and/or news letters on a monthly, quarterly, bi-annual or annual basis. Contacting the local societies should not be over looked. State Archives and Societies are usually much larger and better organized with much larger archived materials than their smaller county cousins but they can be more generalized and over look the smaller details that local societies tend to have. Libraries can also be a good place to look for local information. Some libraries have a genealogy section and may have some resources that are not located at archives or societies. Also, take a special look at any museums in the area. They sometimes have photos and items from years gone by as well as information of a genealogical interest. All these places are vitally important to the family genealogist and must not be passed over.

Below is a list of online resources for Pettis County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Pettis County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:

Pettis County Historical Society, c/o Sedalia Public Library, 311 West Third Street, Sedalia, MO 65301-4399
Katy Railroad Historical Society , P.O. Box 1784, Sedalia, MO 65301
State Fair Community College Library, 3201 W 16th Str, Sedalia, MO 65301; Ph: (660) 530-5800
West Central Missouri Genealogical Society and Library
705 Broad Street, Warrensburg, MO 64093-2032; Phone: (660) 747-6264, [EMAIL
Local Missouri Researchers, Find a local researcher or become a local researcher.
Missouri State Archives, Missouri State Information Center, [EMAIL]
P.O. Box 1747, 600 West Main Str, Jefferson City, MO 65102; Phone:(573) 751-3280, Fax: (573) 526-7333
State Historical Society of Missouri, 1020 Lowry Str., Columbia, MO 65201-7298; (573) 882-7083, [EMAIL]
Missouri State Genealogical Association, P.O. Box 833, Columbia, MO 65205-0833
Missouri Newspapers & Periodicals Records - Newspapers and periodicals are the diaries of local communities. They are excellent sources of family history details - often recorded nowhere else. Look for obituaries, marriages, legal notices, and more found in our Historical Newspaper Archives.
See the Society page for more statewide Societies and archives
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Pettis County Church & Cemeteries

Click Here to Search Missouri Obituary Records! - This database is a compilation of obituaries published in U.S. newspapers, collected from various online sources. Obituaries can vary in the amount of information they contain, but many of them are genealogical goldmines, including information such as names, dates, places of birth and death, marriage information, and family relationships.

There are many churches and cemeteries in Pettis County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Pettis County Tombstone Transcription Project.

The Missouri State Archives has published A Brief Guide to Church Records on Microfilm which is a county by county listing, but it is currently out of print. The available church records can be located by using the Archives' Manuscript Register. Church microfilm rolls are not available for purchase, without written consent of the individual church, and must otherwise be used at the Missouri State Archives. The Western Historical Manuscript Collection on the University of Missouri-Columbia campus holds some church records. These can be located by using their descriptive catalogue or microfiche guide. Most church records in Missouri are scattered and remain in private hands

There is no central registry for cemeteries located in Missouri. The following national cemeteries are located in Missouri:

Springfield National Cemetery, 1702 E. Seminole Street, Springfield, Missouri 65804. All known soldiers buried there, including those transferred from towns throughout southwest Missouri were published in Ozar'kin
Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, 101 Memorial Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63125. There is a card file reference to persons interred there. Inquiries may be made by phone or mail.
Jefferson City National Cemetery, 1024 E. McCarty Street, Jefferson City, Missouri 65101. The researcher may phone or write the Jefferson Barracks for information.

Below is a list of online resources for Pettis County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Pettis County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

Missouri Bible Records, Volume 1: The database is the first volume in a series of Bible records that includes such information as births, marriages, probate information, and deaths of individuals who settled in Missouri.
Pettis County, Missouri Cemetery Books at Amazon.com
Pettis County, Missouri Church Books at Amazon.com

Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

Click Here to Search Missouri Family Tree Records! - The use of published genealogies, electronic files containing genealogical lineage, and other compiled sources can be of tremendous value to a researcher.

When view family trees online or not, be sure to only take the info at face value and always follow up with your own sources or verify the ones they provide. Below is a list of online resources for Pettis County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Pettis County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

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Sites on USGenweb: [ Pettis County ] [ Missouri ] [ Main Page ]
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Missouri Family & Local History Records - The Family & Local Histories Collection lets you read journals, memoirs, and other first-hand historical narratives right on your computer. Gathered from some of the world's finest libraries, these materials may provide hard-to-find town, county, and state information; tax records and wills; military, church, and court records; as well as photographs, stories, and maps.
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County History

(History of Pettis County Towns 1919)

Beaman is the only town in Bowling Green township. It is a small village, located on the main line of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas railway and is an excellent shipping point. It has railway and rock road connection with Sedalia. While a good agricultural country surrounds it, Sedalia is too close to it to permit of much growth. Its business men are few, still they are wide awake and are successful, and for the number of inhabitants, the volume of business done here compares favorably with any other village in the county. The following gentlemen represent the business interests there: L. B. Stuart, L. L. Stuart, G. W. Cathey and B. Houchin.
Georgetown.-This village, which was a flourishing trading place in ante bellum days, is in section 16, and was laid out in 1835, by David Thomson, father of Martin Thomson. The name was given it by David Thomson, who came here in 1883 from Georgetown, Scott County, Kentucky. David Thomson and his two brothers-in-law, George R. Smith and Lewis R. Major, were camped on the Lamine River, on the night of November 12, 1833, and witnessed the meteoric showers, which produced great consternation among the ignorant classes of those times. The land on which the town is built is high and rolling, and was a beautiful place when the town was in its glory. The old brick court house stood on the public square. The following streets appear on the plat: Pin Oak, Flint, Boonville, Post Oak, Franklin, Walnut, Saline and Cedar. The additions were known as Ramey and Wasson's, David Thomson's, George R. Smith and Hughes. The first lawyers of this village were William H. Field, Reese Hughes, John F. Philips, George G. Vest, Alda A. Glasscock, William Ford, Curtis Field and Charles A. Hardin. The postoffice was established here co-existent with the town. For several years the mails were weekly and monthly. In those days there was but little correspondence, and the great power of the press did not weigh upon the people then as now. The following is the list of the early postmasters: Albin Robinson, Amos Fristoe, Samuel A. Lowe, James P. Walker, William W. Cross, Thomas Hill, M. Hunt, James Austin, John E. Rector, Charles W. Barrick. For several years Georgetown was the center of trade for many miles around, but when the line of the Missouri Pacific railroad was laid out, the people all came to Sedalia to trade and to worship. E. J. Erskine and Frank Simmons are the business men of the village.
Green Ridge is a beautiful town. It is incorporated as a city of the fourth class, is the Principal town in Green Ridge township and has made a steady growth since its foundation in 1870 and 1871, when the Missouri, Kansas & Texas railway came through the county. It is located in the northeastern part of the township, on the prairie, in a prosperous and fertile farming district. Its dwellings and streets are well kept and its business men are up to the minute. The town has a population of about 500.
One of the oldest Masonic lodges of the county flourished in the early days here.
The following are the business interests of the city: Ed Johnston, James S. Ream and Sons, W. T. Brim, R. H. Nelson, Thomas Closer, The Peoples' Bank, Ora Nicholson, N. G. Woods, G. R. Shelly, Andy Raines, Ed Rene, L. B. Ream & Sons, The Farmers' and Merchants' Bank, E. R. -Grinstead, Joe Donaldson, Muir Drug Company, Hite & Dysart Drug Company; G. L. Bennett & Son, John Osborne, W. L. Martin, Green Ridge Local News, James Hurley, A. N. Baker, C. D. Claybourn & Sons and Doctor Hite.
Municipal Officers are: William T. Brirn, chairman village board; J. E. Bagby, C. D. Rayburn, J. H. Donaldson and H. A. Hite, members; John Bradfield, marshal; E. E. Durand, treasurer; T. J. Close, collector; Fred E. Ream, clerk; George Shelley and Joseph Elliot, justice of the peace. Mrs. Alberta S. Brirn, postmistress.
Green Ridge has two banks, either of which would be a credit to a town much larger than this one. The Farmers' and Merchants' Bank was organized in March, 1890, and opened for business on April 1, of that year. J. E. Bagby is president; B. F. Stephens is vice-president; E. E. Durand is cashier, and E. D. Bagby is assistant cashier. Its board of directors consists of the following gentlemen: J. E. Bagby, B. F. Stephens, E. E. Durand, C. D. Rayburn, S. A. Kendrick, J. D. Helman, R. H. Nelson, James McCampbell, D. R. Elliot, H. M. Brown and E. B. Helman. The total resources of this bank is over $300,000. Its capital stock is $11,000. Deposits are $250,000 with surplus and profits of $35,000.
The People's Bank of Green Ridge was organized April 5, 1904, and opened its doors for business on June 27th of that year. Its president is Andrew Habecker and its vice-president, Charles W. Denny. J. E. Ream is cashier. The following gentleman constitute the board of directors: Andrew Habecker, Charles W. Denny, James 0. Truel, Robert Ewers, V. H. Bary, Herbert S. Gregory, W. A. Habecker, E. W. Doherty, H. A. Hite, E. F. Ream, M. A. Ream, F. E. Ream, J. E. Ream.
Statement at the close of business September 17, 1918: Resources Loans and discounts, $40,693.91; overdrafts, $254.57; bonds and stocks, $4,854.09; real estate (banking house), $2,725; furniture and fixtures, $785; due from other banks and bankers, subject to check, $26,882.70; cash items, currency, and specie, $4,467.72. Total, $80,662.99. Liabilities Capita! stock paid in, $14,000; surplus and undivided profits, $1,744.28; individual deposits, subject to check, $51,431.41; time deposits, $13,487.30. Total, $80,662.99.
The board of education is C. D. Rayburn, president; L. L. Ream, vice-president; E. E. Bagby, secretary; E. R. Reno, F. E. Ream, G. D. Rayburn.
Green Ridge Township.-The name Green Ridge, as applied to this township, is appropriate. In it is the watershed between the waters of the tributaries of the Missouri and the tributaries of the Osage rivers. It is a ridge covered with beautiful green prairie, interspersed with timber along the few water courses that break the monotony of the physical features of the township. Green Ridge was formerly a part of Elk Fork township as the county was subdivided, up to 1844. The subdivision of the county then made it a part of Washington township, and it remained thus until 1873, when in the township organization of that year it became the southwestern township in the county, with the name of Green Ridge. Its northern extremity touches Elk Fork township; its eastern, Washington; its southern, Benton County, and its western, Johnson and Henry counties. It contains 30,720 acres of land. The township has the same style of configuration of land as that of the balance of Pettis County. The headquarters of Fiat Creek and Elk Fork Creek are within its bounds.
The Missouri, Kansas & Texas railroad runs from section 1, southwest through the township, leaving it at section 31. The Rock Island railroad runs through sections 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
The early settlers of this and Washington township are the same, or nearly so. Both these townships were a part of Elk Fork and before the townships were divided the pioneers had opened up their homes and laid out their claims for future farms. The earliest settler of the section of county now occupied by Green Ridge township, was Robert Means, who came here in 1832. Mr. Means came from Christian county, Kentucky, to Howard County, Missouri, where a part of his family were born. He removed with his family in November, 1832, to what is now Green Ridge township, Pettis County. He died in 1844, and is buried in the southwest corner of the township. Squire Robert D. Means came with his father from Howard county. Missouri, to Pettis County, in 1832, and settled in the township. John L. Hawkins came between 1835 and 1838, from Howard county, Missouri. In 1857, Washington Starke came to the township from Pike County, Missouri. Daniel Ramey came in 1842, from Georgetown, Mo. During the war he was killed by guerrillas near Rose Hill, Johnson County. John S. Cole came between 1850 and 1855 from Illinois. W. H. Hammonds came in 1855 from Cooper County. During the Civil War he espoused the cause of the South, and died in defense of what he believed to be right at the battle of Little Rock, Ark., in 1862. William and Benjamin Hawkins came in 1856, from Cooper County, Missouri. Thomas Owens came from Georgia, and died in 1862. Hiram Richardson came about 1844 from Tennessee, and died at his home in 1866. Thomas Richardson, the former's father, came in the same year from Tennessee and resided in this county twenty years. Absalom and John Elliott came with their father in 1836, and settled in Washington township. James C. Hatton came at an early day and settled in this township, but died at his home in the spring of 1861. Nathaniel Parberry came from Virginia at an early date. Thomas N. Ireland came in 1858 from Illinois, and died in 1860 John D. Majors came from Calloway County in 1855. M.M. Lampton came from Christian County, Kentucky, in 1855. O. W. Withers came in 1854 from Kentucky. He was killed while serving under Price, in the Confederate Army, at Iron Mountain. Thomas F. Parazetle came in 1854 from Henry County. He was formerly from Virginia, and he died in this township in 1881. George Bell came in 1854 from Paris, Illinois. Lapsley Bell came in 1854 from Paris, Illinois. Henry Woodward came in 1854 from Henry County.
The principal industry in this township is farming and stock raising. They raise the staple crops, corn, wheat and oats, some flax and considerable broom corn. Many of the farmers have fine flocks of graded sheep, cattle, hogs and mules. Land in this township sells from $60 to $100 per acre.
The Congregational Church of Green Ridge was organized on the first day of January, 1871, by J. B. Turner and J. 3d. Bowers. J. WI. Bowers was its first minister and served for two years. J. G. Bailey served as pastor then until 1881. The original members of the church were Geo. D. Hicks, Abigail Hicks, J. H. Knapp, Lydia S. Knapp, Harry C. Knapp, Thomas Ashton, Mrs. Thomas Ashton, Charles Ashton, Nellie Ashton, Mrs. Sarah Fowler, Mr. Labaw, Philip Williams, Mrs. Philip Williams, Miss Wilbur, Robert McCormick, Miss Amelia McCormick.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of Green Ridge, was organized January 9, 1876, by Rev. R. A. Cole, of Otterville, assisted by Rev. William House. The incumbents of the pulpit have been C. W. Weeden. George W. Mathis, Rev. McBride. In the organization on January 9, 1876, the elders elected and ordained were Dr. G. W. House, W. C. Wells and Benjamin Melvin; deacons, Elijah Phillips and Tipton Edwards.
The Church of Christ of Green Ridge township at Green Ridge, was organized by Elder S. K. Hallam, April 25, 1880. In the spring of 1882, a commodious frame house twenty-eight by forty-eight was erected at a cost of $1,000, and was dedicated in the same year by Elder S. K. Hallam. The original members are: Thomas Close, Catherine Close, Sarah J. Martin, Nannie Martin, R. D. Rains, Lou J. Rains, Cassie Edwards, Aaron Dunfee and wife, R. H. Nelson, F. A. Logan, D. E. J. Logan, Melinda Rains, Wm. Dunfee and wife, Lecta Dunfee, Mariah Dunfee, G. W. Womach, Phoebe Womach, James Neal, John A. Logan, Mary Womach, Columbus Parks, Eliza Neal, Alice Womach, Mattie Womach, Emily D. Womach.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Green Ridge was organized in 1872 by the Rev. W. W. Powell, with George Anderson, James Anderson, Mary and Jane Anderson, S. Johnson and Mentezee, as members of the class. In 1878 the congregation erected a house of worship, at a cost of $700. In 1880 Rev. J. N. Pierce dedicated this building. The early E. H. Smith. J. H. Nelson. F. Oechsli. A. P. Salaway. J. H. Gillispie and E. H. Smith, J. H. Nelson, F. Oechsli, A. P. Salaway, J. H. Gillispie and John Lutz.
Green Ridge Baptist Church, located in the town of Green Ridge, Is one of the older churches of the county. It was organized with only fourteen members in 1887. Its present membership is forty. The church building is a good, substantial wooden structure, thirty by sixty feet.
The Green Ridge Christian Church is located two blocks south of he Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway Station, on Main street. The church building is a good substantial frame, thirty by forty feet. The building is well kept and nicely furnished. This church was organized in 1882 and erected on its present site. Church membership is seventy, with a Sunday school attendance of fifty.
Prairie View Methodist Church, South, is located four miles north of Green Ridge. The church building is a good substantial frame, thirty-six by forty feet. The church, at present, has eighty members and the Sunday school, for the past year, has averaged an attendance of forty. Rev. Samuel E. Brooks is the minister in charge.
The Green Ridge Methodist Church, South, in Green Ridge, is one growing churches of Pettis County. It was organized about the year 1884 and since that time has been presided over by some of the ablest ministers of the Conference. The present minister is Rev. Samuel Brooks. Present membership is sixty-four, with a Sunday school attendance of fifty. The building is a substantial frame in good condition.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, situated near the center of the town of Green Ridge, was organized in 1872, by Rev. W. W. Powell. Rev. Powell was killed by lightning a short time later. The first church building was erected in 1878 and dedicated in 1880. This building was destroyed by fire in 1898 and rebuilt in 1899. Building was again destroyed by fire in 1911 and the present building erected in 1912. The present building is a frame. Membership is 100, with an average Sunday school attendance of sixty. Rev. D. E. Fields is the present minister. The first members of this church were, George Anderson and wife, James Anderson and wife, Shed Johnson and wife and Alexander Mentzer and wife. Present trustees of the church are: Joseph Upton, chairman; L. B. Ream, secretary; F. A. Lowe, treasurer; D. S. Crissman and J. E. Helman.
The Green Ridge Congregational Church, located at Green Ridge, is one of the substantial churches of the county. It has a membership of 175, with a Sunday school attendance of eighty-five. The church building is a good, substantial frame and this summer it was improved and added to until it now represents a property value of $5,000. It is heated with furnace, equipped with oak pews, lighted with acetelyn gas. Rev. L. R. Spooner is the present minister. S. D. Haight is senior deacon, and John B. Kyd is junior deacon. The following are trustees: E. R. Wilson, Wm. Baker and Mrs. Belle Evans.
The first school in the township was in school District 2. Emma Wells was the first teacher. Green Ridge township is second to none in the county in her schools. They have eight public schools and a second class high school, at Green Ridge, which would be a credit to most any city of 20,000 inhabitants. Lida Hale is superintendent, with Anna Hiatt as principal. Attendance this year is forty. The public schools are as follows: Elm Branch, with an enrollment of twenty-five pupils and Mildred Thomas is teaching this winter. Maple Grove has an enrollment of twenty-one pupils and Irene Kilburn is teaching. Swisher has an enrollment of twelve, and M. Sue Clark is the teacher. Wadleigh has twenty-seven pupils, and Moro Anderson is the teacher. Rodelia has thirty-seven pupils, and Mrs. D. O. Herndon is the teacher. Hope Dale enrolled twenty-six this September, and Gertrude Ridsour is the teacher. Knapp has an enrollment of twelve, and Anna P. Funk is teaching. Green Ridge has an enrollment of forty, and Elizabeth Donaldson, Lena Shelley and Charlotte Kyd are the teachers.
The first marriage in the township was Josiah Nelson, from Lafayette County, to Miss Sarah Means, in the year 1840.
The first birth was in the winter of 1832, and was a colored child, who was named Julia Ann. Her mother belonged to Robert Means, Sr., and she still lives in the county north of Windsor. She has been married twice and had children and grandchildren.
The first death was that of a colored man named Solomon Cofer, in the family of Robert Means, Sr., in 1840.
The first minister: For years there was no resident minister. The first circuit rider was Rev. Jackson Whitsett, of the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination, and his first visit was in 1833, with Rev. Dr. R. D. Morrow of the same church, who held their meetings in the house of neighbors.
The first camp meeting was held on the farm of Robert Means in 1838. It was continued yearly for four or five years. R. D. Morrow died at Columbus, Johnson County, Missouri. The first physician was Dr. James Hogan, from Calhoun County. He came prior to 1840.
Heath's Creek Township.-This township derives its name from its principal creek, Heath's Creek, which flows through it. The creek was named after two brothers, John and Robert Heath. In 1809 the Heaths built a plant, a kind of salt works, at the mouth of this creek where it empties into Lamine River in Cooper County. John Heath was a member of the first Constitutional Convention of Missouri. He was a delegate from Franklin County to the convention, which was called together in St. Louis on June 12, 1820, and continued in session until July 19, when the constitution was adopted.
The creeks and their branches were all named by the earliest settlers. Some were named from the settlers themselves, others again were named from some incident that occurred at that time. Cedar Creek was thus named from the large cedar tree which grew at its mouth, near Muddy Creek. Panther Creek was thus named because the first panther killed in this region was taken on that branch. Cold Neck derived its name from the fact that one William Bryant, an early settler of this county, while hunting a bear at this place became very cold and remarked to a companion that it was a “cold neck." Muddy Creek is said to have received its name from the following incident: Hiram Jenkins and John Heath, while on a hunting expedition, camped near what is now known as Farmer's City Ford, on a little island. During the night there came up a heavy rain, and in the morning they found that their horses were gone. They hung up their blankets and went in search of their horses. When they returned they found the island submerged in water. The remark was made that "this is muddy," and the creek has since and from that incident retained the name Muddy.
Heath's Creek township is one of the oldest organizations of townships in Pettis county. It originally embraced its own present limits and also that of Longwood and part of Bowling Green, and continued by this name until 1844, when the townships were rearranged, and Bowling Green was cut down and Heath's Creek given the northeastern part of the county, which contained the northern part of Longwood and its own township. In this shape it continued until 1873. In that year the county adopted the township organization, and Heath's Creek still retained the northeastern portion, but was separated from Longwood, and as it is now organized, it is nine miles north and south by six east and west, and contains 34,560 acres of land. It is bounded on the north by Saline County, on the east by Cooper County, on the south by Bowling Green township, and on the west by Longwood township, and is one of the two largest townships in Pettis County.
Houstonia - In the center of a broad expanse of beautiful table land, extending back as far as the eye can reach in any direction, is situated the town of Houstonia. It was named in honor of Col. Thomas F. Houston. It is not the purpose of the writer to attempt to give a detailed or exhaustive description of this locality, as it must be seen to be appreciated. Suffice it to say, that here is a section of country that is seldom equaled, and never surpassed, in point of beauty or productiveness, by any county in the State. It is the most important shipping point of the county. The town suffered a severe calamity on the 23rd of February, 1875, by the long-to-be-remembered cyclone of that date, an account of which is given in connection with this chapter. It built up rapidly, and now contains a number of beautiful and comfortable residences, and several business houses of more than ordinary pretensions. Its business interests are represented by a number of live, energetic business men, who are fast becoming widely and favorably known throughout the surrounding country.
The present population of the town is about 430 and in consequence of its close proximity to the famous McAllister Springs, is destined in the near future to become a popular resort and an important distributing point. The following gentlemen represent the business interests of Houstonia: Longan & Sewell, druggists ; Voight and Brothers, hardware; Westbrook & Staples, plumbers; C. H. Houchin & Son Mercantile Company; Z. C. & E. D. Kongan Mercantile Company.
The municipal officers are: H. C. Brown, chairman village board; L. L. Crews, James Cooper, H. C. Upton and Nathan Harris, members; Morgan Pummell, marshal; A. Bender, treasurer, collector and clerk; John Rissler and H. C. Brown, Justices of the peace. J A. Williams, postmaster.
Farmers' Bank of Houstonia was organized April 27, 1915, and opened for business June 28, 1915. C. H. Houchen is president, and M. P. Tuck, vice-president. Oscar Rothrock is cashier. The following comprise the board of directors : C. H. Houchen, E. S. Smith, M. P. Tuck, R. C. Finely, Z. R. Higgins, Louis King, Oscar Rothrock. The bank has: Loans and accounts, $27,564.26; loans on real estate, $400; bonds, certificate of Ind., War Savings Stamps, $7,400 ; due from banks, subject to check, $37,508.54; time certificates of deposit $9,302; deposits $56,177.75; capital stock, $15,000.
The Houstonia Bank was organized and opened for business in the year 1855. The following gentleman constitute the officers and directors of the bank: F. C. Hayman, president; G. H. Tevebaugh, vice-president; D. E. Longan, cashier; H. A. Longan, assistant cashier; J. T. Patterson, E. B. Gibson and C. D. McConnell, directors. Houstonia Bank, at Houstonia, State of Missouri at the close of business on the 28th day of June, 1918: Resources-Loans and discounts, undoubtedly good on personal or collateral, $148,209.45; loans, real estate, $24,319.13; overdrafts, 1,257.09; bonds and stocks, $900; real estate (banking house), $1,000; furniture and fixtures, $500; due from other banks and bankers, subject to check, $38,305.63; cash items, $83.60; currency, $844; specie, $637.20. Total, $216,056.10. Liabilities-Capital stock paid in, $25,000; undivided profits, net, $2,978.82; due to banks and bankers, subject to check, $1,922.39; surplus fund, $14,000; individual deposits subject to check, $102,395.09; time certificates of deposit, $64,155.70; bills payable and rediscounts, $5,000; other liabilities, $604.10. Total, $216,056.10.
Hughsville is the only village in the township. It was a town before the organization of the township was laid out and platted by Reece Hughes, named in his honor, and is located twelve miles north and-west of Sedalia, on the Lexington Branch of the Missouri Pacific railway. It is surrounded by the most fertile and productive agricultural district found anywhere in the county and for the past thirty years has been the best livestock shipping point along the Lexington Branch, between Sedalia and Independence, the McClures, the McAninch Brothers, the Durleys, Hesses and McCurdy Brothers being known throughout the State as leading cattle men. This little village has a population of 250 and has kept pace with the development of the county.
Robert Bealert, Cuthbert D. Mockbee, Rollie E. Bealert, Looney P. Bruce Lumber Company, W. S. Baltzelle, John McNees, Ray Bealert, P. Bruce, of the Bank of Hughesville, Doctors Bishop and Mitchell and Harry Stober are in business there.
Hughesville has one bank and the institution is a credit to the town and the community. The Bank of Hughesville was organized and opened for business on December 8, 1904. S. W. McClure is president and Dr. W. T. Bishop, now serving in the United States Army as a captain of Medical Corps, is vice-president; P. Bruce is cashier and has been since the opening of the institution. The following gentlemen constitute the board of directors. S. W. Mcclure, Dr. J. E. Mitchell, Dr. W. T. Bishop, J. L. MceCurdy, W. F. Kraft, W. V. McClure, and P. Bruce. The following is the financial statement of July 10, 1918: Resources-Loans and discounts, undoubtedly good on person or collateral, $84,585.81; loans, real estate, $6,780; bonds and stocks, $5,499; real estate (banking house), $1,800; furniture and fixtures, $1,700 ; due from other banks and bankers, subject to check, $38,969.03; currency, $1,385; specie, $1,042.35; War Savings Stamps, $1,879.58; gold coin, $10. Total, $143,650.77. Liabilities-Capital stock paid in, $10,000; surplus fund, $10,000; undivided profits, net, $4,803.39; individual deposits subject to check, $76,949.59; time certificates of deposit, $16,893.79; bills payable and rediscounts, $25,000; dividends unpaid, $4. Total, $143,650.77.
LaMonte is one of the live towns of the county. It was laid out in 1866 by Col. Frank Hickox and J. R. McConnell. This place, in the early days, was called "Boomer," in honor of a railroad construction foreman by that name who was quite popular among his workmen. The postoffice, however, has always borne the name of the present town. The first house built in the town w-as erected by a man by the name of James and the first store house was built by George H. Hardley. In the year 1862 the Missouri Pacific railway roadbed-. was graded and workmen began to lay the rails. Cars were run through the town In 1864.
Situated in the northwestern part of the township is the pleasant little village of Longwood, with 125 inhabitants. From this place the townsh