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.
Hon. James B. Reavis, born in 1848 in Missouri and educated in Kentucky, has been a steadfast advocate for public justice throughout his legal career. Noted for his integrity and courage, he successfully represented vulnerable clients against powerful adversaries, such as in a high-profile case against a mob. Reavis served in the territorial council, promoting significant legislation, and has held influential positions, including on the board of regents for the State University. He remains a driving force in Yakima’s development, respected as a lawyer rather than a politician.
Charles Allen and his wife, Elizabeth Powell, moved to Kentucky in 1800 before settling in Montgomery County, Missouri, in 1823. They had nine children, including Joseph H., a physician, and David P., who had two marriages and a total of ten children. Charles P. married Eliza J. Courtney and fathered thirteen children. The family saw a mix of fortunes, with some children marrying into the Simpson family and others like Anna and Elizabeth marrying local figures. Two daughters, Tabitha and Catharine, passed away young.
Nathaniel Maughs, originally from Loudon County, Virginia, relocated to Fleming County, Kentucky, with his children: David, William, John, Moses, Elijah, Stephen, Vinson, Mary, Sally, and Eli. His sons David and William became Baptist preachers. After Nathaniel’s death, his widow married his brother Stephen, who settled in Montgomery County. Their son Mordecai became a physician with three marriages and sixteen children. Other family members included Sophronia, who married Dr. William Proctor, and George, a prominent physician in St. Louis.
John McGinnis and his wife immigrated from Ireland to Virginia before relocating to Kentucky. Their son, Greenberry D., married Sallie Lewis and moved to Lincoln County, Missouri, in 1832. Their descendants included Milton, who settled in Pike County, and Elizabeth, who married Enoch Sevier in Lincoln County. Other children pursued various paths, with William B. ultimately settling in Illinois. Samuel, John McGinnis, Sr.’s son, had a large family through two marriages and lived much of his life in Montgomery County.
Cornelius Mabrey, a millwright from Pittsylvania County, Virginia, had two marriages, the second to Polly Chaney, with whom he had six children. The family moved to Tennessee before settling in Logan County, Kentucky, where he tragically drowned. In 1828, his widow and children relocated to Lincoln County, Missouri. Their children married into local families, creating deep ties in the community. Philip, one of the sons, became a carpenter and shared cherished memories of his youth with friend Dr. McFarland at local dances.
Miles Price, originally from Wales, settled in Lincoln County, North Carolina, before the Revolutionary War. He married Miss Sharp, fathering Thomas, a soldier in that conflict. Thomas later married Isabella Sharp and had multiple children, eventually moving to Missouri in 1819. There, he and his wife had more children in Pike County, with several family members continuing to reside in Lincoln County. Notably, Price served as Constable and Justice of the Peace for thirty years and is remembered for his remarkable snake hunting exploits.
Abraham Snethen, a German immigrant, settled in New Jersey with his wife, Elizabeth Stewart, and raised eleven children. After various relocations, including Kentucky and Missouri, he became a prominent pioneer figure. His children included notable individuals like Aley B., a Baptist preacher, and John, Jr., a successful merchant. Abraham participated in the community’s defense during conflicts with Native Americans and was known for his long life, witnessing the growth of his family, which included eighty-one grandchildren before his death in 1859.
George Farrow, born in Fauquier County, Virginia to Scottish parents, served as a soldier in the War of 1812. He married Miss Massey and had several children, including George, Jr., Nimrod, John, and Benjamin. Benjamin later married Lucy Smith and had a large family. Some descendants, including John P., Sarah, and Margaret, moved to Missouri. John P. became a prominent figure, settling in St. Charles County and later serving as Judge of the County Court for two decades in Montgomery County, Missouri.
Henry Wade, originally from Culpepper County, Virginia, married Lucy Turner and had several children before marrying Mary D. Waller in 1810. The couple settled in Lincoln County, Missouri, in 1835, where they raised a large family including William, Henry, John, and Martha, among others. Several of their children married and had families of their own, with various adventures and tragedies marking their lives. Notably, Polly Wade preserved her mother’s wedding costume, a cherished heirloom from 1810, amidst their familial history.
Robert Haslip, originally from Maryland, later established his life in Virginia. He had two sons, Samuel and John, the latter serving in the War of 1812. Haslip married Lucy Johnson, with whom he had several children, including Robert and James N. The latter moved to Montgomery County, Missouri, in 1838, marrying Esther Clements and fathering ten children. Robert, another son, settled in Lincoln County in 1837 but tragically died in 1860 after an accident involving a wagon.
John Hudson, married to Miss Allen, resided in North Carolina and fathered six sons: Isaac, Drury, Thomas, William, John, and Jesse. Drury and Isaac served in the Revolutionary War, with Isaac eventually relocating to Georgia, South Carolina, Kentucky, and finally Missouri by 1818. His children included Elizabeth, Nancy, Sally, John, Thomas, William, and Charles. Notably, Elizabeth married Lemuel Cox, while John had three wives, and Thomas married Polly Hammond, establishing ties in Pike and Lincoln Counties through family connections.
William Kerr, orphaned at six after his father Thomas’s death, was bound out by his mother in Mercer County, Kentucky, before moving to Montgomery County in 1827. He married and had numerous children, with most residing in Montgomery County. Kerr became a highly regarded stage driver, operating primarily between Fulton and St. Charles over the Booneslick road for sixteen years. His exceptional skills made him a sought-after driver, as he managed herds of horses on the prairies when not in service.
Isaac King, originally from South Carolina, married Lydia Sitton and moved to Tennessee, where they had four children: Joshua, Abraham, Sarah, and Joseph. In 1817, Joshua, Abraham, and Sarah relocated to Lincoln County, Missouri. Joseph married Elizabeth Yates and established his family in Montgomery County in 1823, raising six children. Isaac King was also known for building a horse mill, primarily operated by his wife, and his involvement in local politics, serving as Justice of the Peace and Captain of the militia.
Edwin Beard and his wife, Mary Bell, emigrated from Ireland to Augusta County, Virginia, where they raised five sons: William, John, David, Charles, and Samuel. Samuel served in the Revolutionary War and later moved to Missouri, having married Sarah Craig. His brothers also settled in various states; William served in the War of 1812, while David and Samuel established their families in Missouri and Ohio, respectively. The family narrative reflects a rich tapestry of migration and military service across generations.
Dr. Harvey S. McKay, born in Troy, Missouri, on October 1, 1878, is a prominent surgeon with significant affiliations in St. Louis. After obtaining his medical degree from St. Louis University in 1901, he furthered his studies in Europe before returning to practice in St. Louis in 1903, specializing in surgery. He has held esteemed positions, including surgeon in chief at St. Anthony’s Hospital and associate professor at St. Louis University. Active in professional organizations, he is also a family man, married to Florence M. Newell with two children.
Rev. Joseph F. Lubeley, born on September 15, 1873, in Lockhaven, Pennsylvania, was a prominent pastor of Holy Trinity Church in St. Louis. The son of German immigrants, he pursued his education at St. Liborius School and St. Francis College, later studying at the Jesuit University in Innsbruck. Ordained in 1896, he served various parishes in Missouri before assuming leadership at Holy Trinity in 1908. Lubeley was active in civic and church organizations, contributing to community welfare and moral advancement.
Hon. David Patterson Dyer, born on February 12, 1838, in Virginia, was a prominent leader in Missouri’s Republican Party and served in various significant public offices. He was a judge for the United States district court until 1919. An accomplished lawyer, Dyer was also a member of the Missouri legislature and U.S. Congress, and held the position of U.S. attorney multiple times. He married Lizzie Chambers Hunt and had six children. A devoted Episcopalian and veteran of the Civil War, he remained an influential figure in St. Louis until his later years.
Archibald Gibson emigrated from Ireland to Virginia, where he had a son, Joseph, who fought in the War of 1812. Joseph married Susan Hudson and later settled in Lincoln County, Missouri, fathering numerous children. After Susan’s death, he married Matilda Wright, with whom he had more children. Joseph lived to be 87, while his descendants spread across various counties, notably Warren and St. Charles. The family engaged in local life, with stories reflecting the community’s experiences and traditions.
Richard Wright, a War of 1812 veteran from Culpepper County, Virginia, married Ann Smith and moved to Warren County, Missouri, in 1822, later settling in Lincoln County where he passed away. His children included notable figures such as Henry C. Wright, a physician who founded Wright City, now a thriving community. Henry C. also served in the state legislature. Elizabeth, Susannah, Ann, George W., and Frank M. married into local families, further intertwining their legacy in Missouri.