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.
Matthew Talbott, originally from England, emigrated to Missouri in 1809 with his son Christopher. They established a farm on Loutre Island, cultivating corn and raising horses. Talbott’s family grew, including notable sons like Major Thomas, who served as an Indian agent, and Colonel William, who became a militia leader. Major Thomas’s adventurous life included a significant trip to Santa Fe and an early horse export venture to Cuba. The Talbott family was marked by significant contributions to their community and connections to early Missouri history.
Richard Lafayette Smith was born on September 7, 1899, to Frederick David and Charlotte Elizabeth Smith. He married Minnie Carrie Steigleder on May 31, 1919, in Big Cabin; she was born on March 11, 1900. The couple had two sons, Louis Richard and Milton Eldo. A dedicated farmer and breeder of Purebred Hereford cattle, Smith was also active in the I.O.O.F. fraternity. Minnie’s parents, Robert Louis and Caroline Emma Steigleder, were married in Booneville, Missouri, in 1888.
Ada Thompson, born January 26, 1881, in Vinita, was educated at the local seminary. She married Earnest George on December 8, 1909, and they welcomed their daughter, Mary Ellen, on November 12, 1911. The couple resides near Big Cabin where they engage in farming. Ada is the stepdaughter of Harriet M. Thompson, who passed away on November 27, 1921.
William Wear Bryan, born in 1868 in Missouri, graduated from Western Dental College and married Rachel Bell in 1892. They had five children, though three sadly passed during infancy. Dr. Bryan served as President of the State Board of Dental Examiners for nine years and is Vice-President of Claremore’s First National Bank. He owns a 320-acre ranch specializing in pedigreed livestock, particularly Shorthorns, and is known for his hospitality at home. Mrs. Bryan is related to prominent local figures, further enriching their family legacy.
William Middleton Givens, born on December 23, 1827, in Cooper County, Missouri, was educated locally and became a schoolteacher at seventeen. He studied medicine with Dr. H. C. Gibson and graduated from St. Louis Medical College in 1857. After marrying Ada B. Canthorn, he practiced medicine in Gallatin, Daviess County, during the Civil War, treating both Union and Confederate soldiers. He was highly respected in his community and was active in Freemasonry, holding several leadership positions. Dr. Givens and Ada had four children.
Luther C. Challis, a pivotal figure in Atchison’s development, was born on January 26, 1829, in New Jersey. He moved west in 1855, becoming one of Atchison’s first merchants and later a banker. Notably, he played a crucial role in railroad expansion, authoring legislation for the Central Branch of the Union Pacific Railroad and negotiating land rights with the Kickapoo Indians. He was also involved in establishing the Atchison St. Joseph Railway and the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad. Challis passed away on July 26, 1894.
William Horner Cocke, born on September 12, 1874, in City Point, Virginia, has built a notable career in business and law. After graduating from the Virginia Military Institute with honors, he practiced law before becoming president of the St. Louis Chemical Company and later founding the Commercial Acid Company in 1908. Involved in various enterprises and civic activities, Cocke also served in the military during the Spanish-American War and World War I. He has been married to Anne Jeannette Owen since 1905 and is active in social and political circles.
Stanford Chapman, born on June 3, 1825, in Tennessee, moved to Missouri with his family as a child. He became a farmer and settled near Ozark, where he worked diligently to improve his land and community. A devoted family man, Chapman married Drucilla A. Horn in 1848, and they had eight children. He served briefly as a county court judge and was active in the Democratic Party. Now retired, Chapman resides in Billings and remains engaged in local banking and Masonry.
William Peyton Waggener, born on June 18, 1870, in Atchison, followed his father’s legal career, earning a prominent position as an attorney. He graduated from various schools, including Midland College, and was admitted to the bar at just twenty. Waggener served as general attorney for the Missouri Pacific Railway and held roles in local government, including county attorney. A member of several fraternal organizations and the Episcopal Church, he married Martha Spurr in 1892 and had three children.
Hon. George Ainslie, born October 30, 1838, in Boonville, Missouri, is a notable figure in Idaho’s history, recognized for his legal and political contributions. A pioneer in business and law, he helped establish key industries in the region and has been a significant player in the Democratic Party. Ainslie’s diverse career includes serving in the legislature, editing the Idaho World, and participating in the constitutional convention. His influence extends to various enterprises, including the Rapid Transit Company, and he remains a respected leader in Boise’s community and politics.
William H. Baugh, M.D., born on July 28, 1864, in Boonville, Missouri, is a prominent physician and druggist in Shoshone, Idaho. After graduating from Missouri Medical College in 1891, he practiced briefly in Missouri before moving to Idaho. Establishing a successful medical practice and the only drug store in Shoshone, Dr. Baugh also serves as the local physician for the Short Line Railroad and is involved in sheep raising. He married Rose Burke in 1896 and is an active Mason, well-regarded in his community.
Isaac W. Pfost, born on January 21, 1846, in Jackson County, Virginia, epitomizes the spirit of American perseverance. After moving through Missouri, he settled in Boise, Idaho, in 1878, where he initially thrived as a freighter and farmer. In 1898, he purchased the Bancroft Hotel, significantly contributing to its success. A dedicated family man and community member, Pfost has been actively involved in various fraternal organizations and has had three marriages, producing a large family. He remains a respected figure in Idaho.
Artemus Clark Plummer, an optometrist, was born in a log cabin near Harmony, Indiana, to Thomas Jermiah and Martha Richards Plummer. After attending local schools, he worked on a farm until the age of 21. He then studied at Spaldings Commercial College in Kansas City while taking on various jobs. In 1899, he moved to New York City to pursue optometry, graduating from Dr. R. H. Knowles School of Optometry in 1901 before working with Tiffany & Co. for several years prior to relocating to Cleveland.
Thomas W. Truskett, born in 1852 in Ohio, established a successful real estate brokerage in Caney, Kansas, in 1908, significantly contributing to the local economy. A self-made man known for his integrity and community spirit, he also served as mayor and engaged in various businesses, including a livery barn and mercantile store. A veteran of the Civil War, he had a diverse career that included teaching and farming. Truskett married three times, fathering several children, and remained active in local religious and fraternal organizations throughout his life.
Charles Squirrel, born on September 11, 1896, in Matoka, Oklahoma, is a prominent young businessman in Bartlesville with a successful farm and oil interests. Orphaned at a young age, he was adopted and educated across several institutions. At nineteen, he ventured into independence, establishing a commendable career in oil and agriculture. Married to Edna Swinney, he faced personal tragedy with the loss of their daughter, Georgia. Squirrel is recognized for his integrity and business acumen, having achieved success from humble beginnings.
Samuel Allen, born July 21, 1805, in East Tennessee, exemplified the resilience of pioneers. Orphaned early, he moved to Missouri and later married Sarah Benson. In 1847, he crossed the plains to Oregon, becoming known for his generosity and support for fellow travelers. Settling in the Abiqua, he was active in community life, supporting education and churches. A respected figure in Oregon, he served in various public roles and transitioned political allegiance from Democrat to Republican in 1861. He died in Salem on May 12, 1876.
Hon. John S. Phelps, born on December 22, 1814, in Connecticut, was a prominent lawyer and politician from Greene County, Missouri. After establishing a successful legal career in the West, he was elected to the Missouri General Assembly in 1840 and served eighteen consecutive years in Congress, where he was influential on key issues such as the admission of California and the Civil War. Elected Governor of Missouri in 1876, Phelps retired with a legacy of public service, marked by his commitment to Democracy and legal integrity.