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.
Thomas J. Crain was born on September 4, 1830, in Fleming County, Kentucky. After migrating to Missouri in 1855, he engaged in various businesses, including freighting and stock-feeding. Crain moved to Gallatin in 1867, where he entered the mercantile and lumber trades, becoming a pioneer lumber dealer in the area. He was married twice, first to Amanda M. Plumer, who died in 1865, and later to M. C. Owings. Crain was active in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and local Masonic lodge.
Rev. John Dunbar, born in Palmer, Massachusetts, on March 3, 1804, dedicated over twenty years as a missionary to the Pawnes Indians. After earning degrees from Williams College and Auburn Theological Seminary, he was ordained in 1834 and began his mission work in the West. He returned briefly to Massachusetts to publish a Pawnee language book and married Esther Smith in 1837. In 1856, he moved to Brown County, Kansas, where he became the first county treasurer. Both he and his wife died shortly after their relocation.
Prof. G. M. Siler, born on July 28, 1864, in Holt County, Missouri, has established a distinguished career in education since beginning his teaching in 1882. He educated himself at local schools and Bradleyville School and currently leads the school in Rome. Siler balances his teaching with farming on his 160-acre property. Politically active as a Republican, he served as county assessor from 1888 to 1890. Married to Rachel A. Jennings, he is a respected member of the community with two surviving children.
Charles H. Groom, born January 16, 1861, in Holt County, Missouri, emerged as a notable attorney in Taney County. His father, Sylvanus L. Groom, was a prominent Union soldier and physician. Charles grew up in Andrew County, working in printing before studying law and gaining admission to the bar in 1891. He became an influential figure in local politics, serving as county treasurer and engaging in real estate and law. Groom married Tremandria L. Jennings and had four children, contributing significantly to his community’s development.
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.
Hon. John Stewart, born in Virginia on February 12, 1800, moved to Indiana at fifteen, where he initially worked as a blacksmith before turning to cattle trading. A captain in the Black Hawk War, he became Holt County’s judge for four terms. In 1845, he led a challenging migration to Oregon, facing hardships but ultimately settling near Corvallis with his wife, Mary. Stewart died on February 28, 1885, leaving behind six children and a legacy of kindness and community service, remembered fondly by all.
Miss Anna Mallows, a notable figure from White Cloud, Kansas, exemplifies women’s contributions to various professional fields. Born into a pioneering family, she transitioned from a successful teaching career to become the proprietor and publisher of the White Cloud Globe in 1910, the city’s only newspaper. Under her leadership, the Globe thrived, extending its reach nationally and internationally. A highly educated woman, Mallows actively participated in educational and professional associations while also serving her community through church-related initiatives and political engagement.
Hon. Anson S. Cooke, born in 1849 in Illinois, became a prominent figure in Kansas after moving there in 1872. A respected pioneer and farmer, he amassed 600 acres in Mitchell County and served twelve years in the State Senate. Cooke’s journey from poverty to success embodies hard work and integrity, earning him the respect of peers and constituents alike. Active in public affairs, he began as a populist and later aligned with the Democratic Party. He was also a dedicated Methodist and early advocate for prohibition.
John Wesley Kieff, born on March 9, 1857, in Indiana, is a notable journalist and community leader in Oklahoma, currently serving as the justice of the peace in Miami. His early education and teaching career led him to pursue law, but he gained prominence in journalism, writing for various newspapers. Kieff has been influential in public service, supporting infrastructure improvements in Miami and contributing to the city’s commercial development. A Republican and active community member, he is known for his integrity, dedication, and scholarly pursuits.
Donald Lee Mallon, 79, of Joseph, Oregon, passed away on June 29, 2006, at Wallowa Memorial Hospital. Born on June 14, 1927, in Craig, Missouri, he served in the Army during World War II and later married Ruth Anne Homewood in 1948. Mallon worked as a logger, mill worker, and contractor before retiring due to an injury. He was active in community organizations and enjoyed family activities. He is survived by his children, siblings, grandchildren, and step-grandchildren.
William R. Russell, born in 1840 in Holt County, Missouri, was a prominent horticulturist and an early settler of Riverside, California. His family moved west when he was a teenager, with his father initially engaging in stock farming. After various occupations in the West, Russell settled in Riverside in 1875, where he developed significant horticultural ventures, including a famed orange grove. A staunch Republican and involved in local organizations, he married Maggie Hays in 1881 and had three children, fostering a well-regarded legacy in the community.