198 online plat books and atlases organized by county and ordered by date for the State of Missouri. At the bottom of the page are two items that can help you use these documents in your genealogy research. The first is a blog post Plat Books Revealed: Mapping Generations of History and the second a video where Ben Clark explains what plat maps are used for, how to navigate them, and pulls out a few interesting stories from them.
This small The John N. Henry Family genealogy book was written in 2019 by Wilda White and donated to the Allen County Public Library. Wilda utilized available resources to provide a brief genealogical snapshot of each generation in descent from John and Lida (Chany) Henry to the author. Using an old bible of the Henry family and various contemporary records Wilda showcases each Henry family providing numerous photographs of the family members.
George Washington Schaffer, born on July 4, 1847, in St. Louis, Missouri, had a diverse career in the butcher business, working in various cities including Galesburg, Kansas City, and Chicago. He faced challenges, including a serious injury while handling cattle. Eventually, Schaffer settled in Jamesport, Missouri, where he established himself as a respected businessman in the meat market and confectionery industries. His strong reputation earned him the trust of the local community, aligning with his patriotic name reflecting American independence.
Thomas Jones, born on September 12, 1827, in Cocke County, Tennessee, exemplified resilience and character through his life’s trials. Orphaned early, he worked on farms and ventured into mercantile business before migrating westward. Despite hardships, including illness during his journey to Oregon in 1864, he eventually prospered in farming. Married in 1854, he fathered several children and remained a respected member of the Methodist Church. Though not politically active, he showed concern for good governance, navigating the complexities of frontier life with integrity.
Benjamin Harding, born in November 1815 in Otsego County, New York, became a prominent free-soil figure in Doniphan County, Kansas. After relocating to Missouri in 1840 and engaging in the Indian trade, he moved to Wathena in 1852. Harding faced pro-slavery opposition while serving as an election judge and was involved in various political activities, including the Big Springs convention and the Territorial Council. He served as the Doniphan County register of deeds from 1862 to 1866 and lived a quieter life until his death in 1904.
George Edgar McIninch, born on March 3, 1867, in St. Joseph, Missouri, has significantly contributed to the state’s commercial and industrial development through his roles in business and public service. He currently serves as vice chairman of the Missouri state highway board, overseeing substantial funding for road improvements. McIninch began his career in general merchandising, later transitioning to wholesale queensware, and then to the printing industry with Combe Printing Company. He is also involved in various local organizations and was married to Angie R. Kirk, with whom he has one daughter.
Orphred H. Brooks, Jr. was born on March 7, 1875, in Montgomery City, Missouri. He began his career in his father’s real estate business and later ventured into various fields including education and life insurance. In 1903, he shifted focus to real estate, co-founding the O. H. Brooks Realty Company in 1911, where he successfully developed numerous residences in St. Louis. A progressive businessman, he actively contributed to the community and was involved in civic organizations, including the West End Business Men’s Association and the Knights of Columbus.
Romulus E. Culver, born on January 12, 1865, in Plattsburg, Missouri, is a distinguished attorney in St. Joseph. He graduated from Central College in 1885 and earned his LL.B. from Vanderbilt University in 1887. Over his more than 35 years in law, he served as prosecuting attorney, circuit court judge, and city counselor. A lifelong Democrat, Culver was also active during World War I as chairman of the legal advisory board in Buchanan County. He married Sara Judson and had three children.
Dr. J. S. Summers, born in Indiana in 1870, is a respected specialist in eye, ear, nose, and throat diseases, practicing in Jefferson City, Missouri. His education includes degrees from William Jewell College and the University of Missouri. After initially practicing general medicine, he focused on his specialty in 1912. Dr. Summers is dedicated to patient welfare, offering his services during World War I and engaging in various medical associations. He is married to Nettie Violet Pickett, and they have one son.
Lawrence McDaniel, born January 31, 1884, in Savannah, Missouri, is a prominent figure in the legal profession and academia, serving as a professor of law at Benton College. He earned his LL.B. from the University of Missouri and practiced law extensively, including a term as circuit attorney for St. Louis. McDaniel, a dedicated Democrat, has also held various civic roles and is active in multiple fraternal organizations. He has been married twice and has three children, embodying a life committed to public service and community engagement.
Dr. Joseph S. Homan, born in January 1882 in Buchanan County, Missouri, is a distinguished physician and surgeon in St. Louis. He graduated from St. Louis University in 1917 after completing studies at Missouri State University and served as an army lieutenant during World War I. With a strong background in teaching and extensive professional affiliations, he has maintained a successful medical practice. Dr. Homan is married to Fannie Pearson, with whom he has a daughter. He balances his career with interests in outdoor activities and independent political views.
Edward P. Pitts, M.D., born on October 13, 1880, in Virginia, has established himself as a prominent specialist in eye, ear, nose, and throat medicine in Atchison, Kansas, where he has practiced since 1902. He descended from a distinguished family with roots in colonial Maryland and Virginia, including a notable grandfather who served as a Circuit Court judge. Educated in Norfolk and at Ensworth Medical College, Dr. Pitts also enhanced his credentials at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. He is active in various medical and community organizations and married Beulah Judah, with whom he has one son.
Joseph H. McGauhey, M.D., has practiced medicine in White Cloud for twenty-eight years and is also involved in local banking and agriculture. Descended from Scotch-Irish immigrants, his family roots include a long line of farmers in Indiana and Missouri, where his father, John McGauhey, homesteaded land. A graduate of Missouri Medical College, Dr. McGauhey established his practice in White Cloud in 1888. He holds civic roles, including mayor and school board member, and is a member of several medical and fraternal organizations.
William M. Boone, M. D., established his medical practice in Highland, Kansas, in 1892, becoming the longest-serving physician in the area. Descended from the famed frontiersman Daniel Boone, he was born in 1860 in Meade County, Kentucky. After earning his medical degree in 1891, he built a successful practice while also engaging in real estate. A community leader, he held various public offices, including mayor and president of the Highland College Board. Dr. Boone and his wife, Florence, raised six children, emphasizing education and community involvement.
William H. Ridenbough, born on April 17, 1853, in St. Joseph, Missouri, is a prominent businessman in Boise involved in lumber and flour manufacturing. He has constructed an impressive residence in Boise, reflecting his refined taste and style. Mr. and Mrs. Ridenbough enjoy a wide circle of friends in the community, known for their warm hospitality.
Moses Alexander, born on November 13, 1853, in Obrigheim, Germany, immigrated to the U.S. in 1867. After early entrepreneurial efforts in Missouri, he established a successful men’s clothing store in Boise in 1891. A committed public servant, he served as mayor of both Chillicothe and Boise, where his administration implemented significant improvements. Alexander was a Democrat in politics, prioritizing principle over party. He married Helen Keastner in 1876, and they had four children. His dedication to community and business earned him widespread respect.
George W. Buck, born on March 22, 1848, in Illinois, is a prominent figure in Union County, managing a significant sawmilling and lumbering business producing millions of feet of lumber annually. His career spanned various ventures, including farming, merchandising, and military service during the Civil War. Buck settled in Oregon in the late 19th century, becoming a key player in local industry and serving multiple terms as mayor of Elgin. He has been married twice and remains active in the community through his Masonic affiliations and church involvement.
Homer C. Bidwell, born on January 25, 1871, in Galesburg, Wisconsin, is a prominent businessman in Union, recognized for his successful livery and transportation enterprise. The son of a Union veteran, he initially engaged in various occupations, including farming and stock raising, before establishing his current business in 1898. Bidwell is known for his quality services and well-maintained stock. He married Rachel M. Brooks in 1898, and they have one child. He is active in community organizations and has served as a city councilman.
James M. Parker, born on September 20, 1826, in Surry County, North Carolina, epitomized the resilient pioneer spirit. At fourteen, he ventured west to Missouri, before joining a perilous journey to the Pacific in 1847, where he sustained a serious injury in a clash with Native Americans. After years of hard work in various ventures, including stock trading in the Grande Ronde Valley, he settled down in 1896. Married to Mary Smith, he fathered thirteen children and remained active in community affairs, earning widespread respect.