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.
Dr. John Ross Newman, a prominent surgeon in Fort Scott, Kansas, has distinguished himself through specialization in surgery, unlike many of his contemporaries in smaller cities. Born in Dade County, Missouri, in 1881, he graduated from Central Medical College in 1905 and initially practiced general medicine. However, he pursued surgical training in major hospitals across the U.S. before returning to Fort Scott in 1910. Known for his exceptional surgical skills and approachable demeanor, he has become a respected figure in the medical community. Dr. Newman is also a devoted family man and active community member.
Albert Hembree, born in Tennessee on April 23, 1833, was a significant figure in the westward expansion of America. He journeyed across the plains with his family in 1843 as part of a wagon train led by Dr. Whitman. Settling in Oregon, Hembree became a farmer, educator, and businessman, contributing to the development of the region. He faced challenges, including the loss of his store in 1899, yet persevered, running a hotel and managing his ranch. Hembree’s legacy includes nine children and a reputation as a respected pioneer.
Dr. Leonidas Kirby, born on December 1, 1850, near the Greene and Polk County line in Missouri, is a distinguished medical practitioner in Boone County, Arkansas. A graduate of St. Louis Medical College in 1876, he is recognized for his skill and commitment to his patients, notably saving a child’s life through a tracheotomy. His family has a rich history of military service and contributions to medicine, with both his father and grandfather being respected physicians. Dr. Kirby is actively involved in the medical community and local education, with a large and successful practice.
Dr. James Small, born on October 28, 1841, in East Tennessee, is a well-respected physician in southern Missouri, residing in Smallett. His medical career began after serving in the Civil War with the 16th Missouri Volunteer Cavalry. He studied medicine under Dr. W. M. Noe and graduated from the American Medical College in St. Louis in 1880. Dr. Small has practiced in various locations, including Yellville and Oakland, and is known for his political involvement and community service. He was married to Mary Noe and had several children.
John H. Martin, born on July 27, 1842, in Blount County, Tennessee, is a prominent farmer in Douglas County, Missouri. He served in the Second Tennessee Cavalry during the Civil War, participating in numerous battles. After the war, he settled in Missouri, where he became involved in agriculture and public service, including a term as circuit clerk. Martin is an active community member, involved in the Methodist Episcopal Church and various local organizations. He and his wife, Sarah C. Best, have five children.
William W. McLelland, born on October 9, 1848, in North Carolina, moved to Missouri with his family at a young age. He was raised primarily in Oregon County and faced limited schooling. He married Mary Jane Stogsdill in 1868, and together they had twelve children. McLelland established a prosperous 360-acre farm near West Plains and engaged in livestock trading. He served as sheriff of Howell County from 1884 to 1886 and is a respected member of the A.F. A.M. and the Missionary Baptist Church.
John Hailey, a prominent pioneer and statesman of Idaho, was born on August 29, 1835, in Tennessee. He moved to Idaho in the 1860s, where he built a successful stagecoach and freight business, eventually serving as a delegate to Congress. Hailey played a crucial role in the development of Idaho and was honored with the naming of Hailey, Idaho, after him. A lifelong Democrat, he also engaged in ranching and mining, while raising eight children. Hailey remains a respected figure in Idaho’s history.
J. R. Lindley, born in Kentucky in 1824, moved to Dade County, Missouri, at ten. In 1840, he journeyed to California, spending three years there before returning to Missouri to drive stock. A soldier in the Confederate Army under General Joe Shelby, he settled in Hopkins County post-war, accumulating land and cattle. He married Emily Rountree, fathering ten children. A devoted member of the Christian Church, Lindley is also remembered for a humorous incident involving a wild steer and a frightened helper.
Ad V. Coppedge, born on January 26, 1870, in Missouri, was a significant legal and civic figure in Delaware County, Oklahoma. After moving to Grove in 1963, he became the first county attorney, actively shaping the area’s development. Educated at Ozark College and the University of Missouri, he practiced law in Dadeville before establishing his career in Grove. Coppedge was also involved in numerous community efforts, demonstrating remarkable leadership through various roles, including during World War I, solidifying his legacy as a dedicated public servant.
Guy Fountain Nelson, a prominent judge in Oklahoma’s Third Judicial District, was born on August 16, 1872, in Nevada, Missouri. He began his law career in 1893 and practiced in various locations before moving to Muskogee in 1909. Nelson quickly established a successful civil law practice and served as Oklahoma’s assistant attorney general from 1916 to 1918. Appointed as a superior court judge, he later became one of the first district judges following the court’s reorganization in 1921. He was recognized for his judicial competence and dedication to the legal profession. Nelson and his wife, Mabelle, have two children.
Hon. William R. Downey, born in Kentucky in 1808, is well-known among the pioneers of Puget Sound. His father was a Revolutionary War hero. Downey moved to Missouri with his family and later settled in Puget Sound in 1853. He served in the Indian War of 1855-56 and held various positions, including county commissioner and later, mayor of Steilacoom. Celebrating his golden wedding anniversary in 1887, he lived a life of integrity and public service, leaving a legacy with his surviving family and descendants.
Thomas G. Matlock, born on March 4, 1849, in Dade County, Missouri, is a notable figure in Heppner, Oregon, recognized for his contributions to horse breeding. He migrated with his family to Oregon in 1853 and engaged in stock-raising. After his father’s death in 1863, Matlock settled in Umatilla County in 1871, where he developed an exceptional herd of horses. He married Mary E. Larkin the same year and has six children. His mother, now seventy-four, resides with family in Wallowa.
Thomas G. Matlock, born March 4, 1849, in Dade County, Missouri, traveled to Oregon with his family in 1853, settling near Eugene. He began his career in stock-raising, inspired by his father’s legacy, and moved to Umatilla County in 1871 to develop a notable horse and stock herd. Married to Mary E. Larkin, they have six children. Matlock’s family, including his mother, who is in good health, remains engaged in various pursuits in Oregon, reflecting a strong familial and agricultural legacy.