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.
William Tillman, born on February 12, 1842, in Newton County, Missouri, was a dedicated pioneer who contributed significantly to the development of Umatilla County. At 19, he journeyed west with other families, eventually settling and cultivating land. Tillman faced various hardships, from freighting to farming, ultimately establishing a successful homestead. He married Pernecia J. Robertson and adopted a child, becoming well-respected in his community. Known for his integrity and hard work, he remains a notable figure in the region’s pioneer history.
Susan Tolbert, born on May 11, 1873, in Delaware District, was the daughter of John Tolbert and Amanda Cherokee Duncan Scott. She married Thomas Kerr on May 20, 1892, in Seneca, Missouri, and they had one daughter, Ollie May Kerr, born in 1894. Thomas worked as a farmer near Vinita. Notably, Susan’s heritage traces back to Charles Duncan, a Scottish man who married a Cherokee woman, Dorcas, in the late 18th century.
Arthur Fanshaw Chamberlain, born on October 9, 1857, in the Flint District, was the son of Rev. Armory N. and Eunice Dolly Chamberlain. Educated locally, he married Letitia Goodykoontz in 1883. They settled in Vinita and had three children: Dolly Edith, Catherine Brown, and Arthur Fanshaw Jr. A Civil War veteran and a Mason, Chamberlain was a member of the Holly Clan of the Cherokees, also known by his Indian name, Sequoyah. His father was noted for his fluency in the Cherokee language.
John Randolph Hurst, born on April 18, 1853, was the son of Christopher Columbus and Mary Ann Blythe Hurst and received his education at the Cherokee National Schools. He married Sarah Elizabeth Brown on December 8, 1879. Together, they had four children: Christopher Columbus, Mary Ellen, Winema Rachel, and Albert J. Hurst. Additionally, John is connected to the Blythe family through his marriage to Justin Cadle, with roots extending to Mrs. Mary Ann Blythe Hurst.
John Gordon Cearley, born in Georgia on May 19, 1880, is the son of Edmond Jeptlta and Sarah Letitia Thompson Cearley. He received his education in Georgia and the Cherokee Nation. On January 15, 1908, he married Gertrude N. Harris in Neosho, Missouri, and they had three children. John Gordon is a farmer near Big Cabin. His family lineage intertwines with other notable figures, including Nannie Rider and Arminda England, highlighting deep roots in the region’s history.
George G. Brown, born on January 22, 1850, in Platt County, Missouri, emerged as a prominent farmer near Nyssa, Oregon. He grew up in Kansas and Missouri, where he experienced the tensions of the pro-slavery era. After marrying Margaret D. Cary in 1874, they relocated to Texas before journeying to Idaho in 1888. Brown cultivated a successful homestead, utilizing water from the Owyhee ditch and establishing a thriving farm. A member of the K. of P. and a Democratic activist, he raised a large family and contributed to his community.
G. T. B. Perry, a distinguished general merchant from Ozark, embodies the principles of shrewdness and integrity in business. Born in Kentucky, he became an esteemed educator before transitioning to merchandising in 1881, achieving significant success. Active in politics, he served as county treasurer and held various positions in local governance. A member of the I.O.O.F. and Royal Arcanum, Perry values community improvement and education. He is married to Nannie A. Williams, and they have four children, actively participating in the Christian Church.
William N. Buchanan serves as the sheriff of Latah County, having earned respect for his dedicated service to the community. A resident since 1878, he has significantly contributed to the county’s agricultural development as a leading farmer. Born in Missouri in 1857 to a family with pioneering roots, Buchanan moved to Idaho with his family in his youth. He married Mary McKensie and improved his farm, raising various crops. A committed Republican, he is recognized for his reliability and loyalty in public service.
George W. Robertson, born in Missouri in 1859, exemplified the pioneering spirit that shaped the American frontier. His family moved to Oregon when he was two, and after his father’s early death, he assumed significant responsibilities at a young age. Educated through hard work, he later married Ada J. Furgason, a notable pioneer descendant. Robertson’s diverse career included farming, railroading, and freighting in Colorado. He returned to Oregon to farm his father’s land, raising five children and earning respect as a community leader and Republican.
James Colyer Gordon, born October 31, 1874, in New Harmony, Indiana, significantly influenced Independence’s waterworks system alongside his father, Francis Marion Gordon, who served as its engineer for thirty years. Both played critical roles in modernizing the municipal water facility, which features state-of-the-art pumping engines and filtration systems. James began his engineering career with the city at nineteen and eventually became superintendent. He married Kate Jones in 1906 and fathered three children, while maintaining active community involvement through various civic organizations.
Samuel Aaron Kenoyer, born on September 30, 1873, in Kentland, Indiana, emerged as a significant real estate operator in Miami. Despite limited formal education, he succeeded through hard work, beginning his career in various roles before entering real estate in 1915. His contributions include developing the Cardin subdivision and owning key properties like the Commerce building. Married to Felicia Cardin, he is recognized for his community involvement and support of local initiatives, embodying the spirit of entrepreneurship and public service.
Eva (Neill) Emmons Davies, born June 19, 1899, in Missouri, passed away on October 7, 1989, in La Grande. She was a dedicated homemaker and a member of the Enterprise Christian Church. Eva was married twice, first to Lester Emmons, who died in 1967, and later to Leslie H. Davies, who passed in 1987. She is survived by two sons, four grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. Services will be held on October 12 at the Enterprise Cemetery.
Mrs. Earl Emmons, born Else Ruth Neal on January 3, 1901, in Missouri, passed away at her home on March 19 after a lengthy illness. She moved to Oregon at the age of three and resided near Enterprise since 1914. She married Earl Emmons in 1918 and had three daughters. Survived by her family, she was remembered in a packed funeral service at the local Baptist church, led by Rev. Ernest Losey, with music provided by community members. Interment took place at the Enterprise Cemetery.
Carl E. Kayser was born on May 20, 1889, in Newark, New Jersey, to German immigrant Carl F. Kayser and Lillian P. Kayser. After graduating from Columbia University, he joined the American Metal Company and became president of a subsidiary in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, which supplied gas to local zinc smelting plants. In addition to his business ventures, Kayser co-founded Prairie Mound Dairy, known for its certified milk. In 1921, he transitioned to the Mississippi Valley Oil Company, showcasing his strong business acumen and community involvement.
M. W. Burrows, born on January 17, 1876, in Newton County, Missouri, relocated to Indian Territory in 1890, where he engaged in oil development for many years. He later purchased a forty-acre fruit farm in Cherokee County, Kansas. Educated in Missouri, Burrows has also worked as a carpenter and is committed to progressive farming methods. Married to Pearl M. Wilson, they have four children. Known for his enterprising spirit, he is a respected member of his community.
Alexander Cockerell, born December 13, 1844, in Clay County, Illinois, passed away on July 30, 1915, in Union, Oregon, at the age of 73. He moved to Missouri in his youth and served in the Union army during the Civil War. Cockerell married Elmira Owens in 1866, and they relocated to Union, Oregon, where he was an active member of the G.A.R. He is survived by his wife, one son, and three daughters.
Albert F. Armstrong, born on April 3, 1865, in Wyandotte County, Kansas, is a prominent farmer in Nowata County and a brother to Charles F. Armstrong. Educated in local schools and Neosho College, he initially worked in his father’s mercantile business. He later transitioned to farming on a 270-acre property near Coodys Bluff, known for its productive crops and livestock. Married to Lizzie Harmon, they have six children and are active in their community, particularly in education. Armstrong is also involved with the Woodmen of the World.
J.L. Gibson, a pioneer of Cove, Oregon, passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 23, 1936, at the age of 84 after a five-month illness. Born in Missouri in 1851, he moved to Oregon in 1883 with his wife, Mollie, and their children. Gibson was known for his friendly demeanor and had no enemies, leaving behind a legacy of goodwill in the community. He is survived by his wife, seven children, ten grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Mollie Gibson, 79, passed away on February 12, 1939, at her grandson’s home in Cove, Oregon, after a prolonged illness. Born Mollie Plummer on July 29, 1859, in Baxter Springs, Missouri, she married James Gibson in 1877. The couple moved west in 1882 and settled in Cove, where they lived for over five decades. Mollie is survived by her four daughters, three sons, numerous grandchildren, and a brother, Rev. Carlos Plummer. Funeral services were held in Union, with burial at Rose Ridge Cemetery.