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 Pearle, an early settler in Kentucky from Virginia, sought refuge with his family at Crab Orchard during Indian troubles. His son, Henry, wed Polly Owsley, resulting in twelve children, of whom seven survived to adulthood. Notably, Samuel relocated to Missouri, while Joel and Henry married and established lives in Montgomery County. Henry, who attempted preaching, humorously admitted his inability during a sermon. Patience married into the Wyatt family, and the remaining Pearle children later settled in Montgomery County as well.
Thomas Sharp, originally from Ireland, emigrated to America, settling first in Pennsylvania before moving to Washington County, Virginia. He was married twice, fathering several children, including Benjamin, a Revolutionary War soldier, and David, a Methodist minister. In 1816, Sharp relocated to Missouri, where he served as Clerk of the County and Circuit Courts until 1865. His family, including notable descendants and various marriages, played significant roles in the community, with Sharp passing away in 1843 and his legacy continued through his children in Montgomery County.
Col. John Smith, a figure of the Revolutionary War, resided in Franklin County, Virginia, and wed Frances Burk, with whom he fathered eight children. His son William married Elizabeth Ferguson, leading to a large lineage, while daughters married prominent figures, influencing settlements in Callaway County, Kentucky, and Alabama. Notably, Martha’s husband, Thomas J. Holland, served in the State Legislature and as Justice of the Peace in Warren County before his death in 1862. The family’s connections sustain a legacy across several states.
Natley Dutton, an early settler from England, established his family in Maryland following Lord Baltimore’s colonization efforts. His son, John H. Dutton, born in 1790, faced hardship after his father’s death, leading to his apprenticeship as a ship carpenter. In 1818, John and his half-brother Thomas T. Elton journeyed to Missouri, where they first rented land before settling in Montgomery County. John H. Dutton became a respected community leader, serving as a deacon and county judge until his death in 1853, leaving behind a legacy of service and family.
Presley Anderson and his wife, Elizabeth Steele, moved to Montgomery County, Kentucky, in 1779, raising a family of six children. Notably, their son John A. S., or Captain Jack, earned local renown. Presley, Jr. married Euphemia Jones and relocated to Missouri in 1814, ultimately settling near Brush Creek. He participated in the Indian War and was a devoted Methodist, hosting services in his home. His descendants continued to settle in Montgomery County, with James and Eliza establishing families nearby.
Hugh Logan, originally from Ireland, ran away to sea at fourteen before settling in Kentucky. He married Rebecca Bryan, with whom he had five children. Tragically, he drowned in Flemings Creek after ignoring a premonitory dream. His sons, notably William and Henry Logan, ventured to Missouri, starting families there and contributing to early settler life. William’s widow still shares memories of early Missouri, while Henry gained a reputation for his eccentricity. Logan’s descendants reflected the adventurous spirit of their father amidst the challenges of frontier life.
William Bush of Fayette County, Kentucky, had four children: Benjamin, Ambrose, Levi, and Matilda. Benjamin was tragically murdered while collecting debts in Illinois. Ambrose, after a brief stay in Illinois, moved to Missouri where he thrived in horse trading and became a respected community member before his death in 1873. His children included Greenberry, who had a large family, and Maria, who remarried after losing her first husband. Bush also served as Sheriff and Assessor of Montgomery County, demonstrating his involvement in local governance.
Frederick Muench, born June 25, 1799, in Hessen-Darmstadt, was an influential German immigrant and early pioneer in America. After studying theology and engaging in political movements in Germany, he emigrated in 1834, leading the Giessen Emigration Society. Muench settled in Missouri, where he maintained a farm while contributing to political discussions and literary works. A strong advocate for abolition and a member of the state senate during the Civil War, he was affectionately known as Father Muench. He passed away in 1881, leaving a legacy of activism and community engagement.
Hugo Muench, born on July 14, 1851, in Warren County, Missouri, was educated by his father and graduated from St. Louis Law School in 1873. He practiced law in St. Louis, forming various partnerships, including with Cline and Lubke, and served as judge of the Circuit Court from 1906 to 1913. Muench also held consular positions in Germany. Married twice, he had four surviving children. Renowned for his legal acumen and public service, he retired in 1920, later relocating to San Diego, California.
Dr. Emanuel F. Oehler, born on September 23, 1877, in Yorktown, Texas, emerged as a prominent surgeon in St. Louis. The son of Rev. Michael Oehler, he initially pursued a theological education but ultimately shifted his focus to medicine. After gaining nursing experience at Deaconess Hospital, he graduated with an M.D. from Marion Sims College in 1906. Since 1910, he has concentrated on surgery. Married to Emma Helen Schloerke, they have one daughter and are active in their community and the Westminster Presbyterian Church.
William A. Wyatt, born on October 2, 1828, in Warren County, Missouri, is a notable figure in Richland Township, Arkansas. His family moved to Searcy County in 1843, where he has spent much of his life farming on an 800-acre property. After brief military service against Native Americans, Wyatt married Louisa E. Hensley in 1853, with whom he raised seven children. A lifelong Democrat and community leader, he represented Searcy County in the 1874 State Constitutional Convention and is recognized for his contributions to local agriculture and development.
Hal R. Coleman, born December 25, 1878, in Warren County, Missouri, is a prominent attorney based in St. Louis. A product of a distinguished family, he pursued education at several institutions, ultimately practicing law from 1906. His lineage traces back to Captain Benjamin Coleman, a Revolutionary War officer, and includes a history of military and civic involvement. Hal married Marie Isabelle Menkens in 1919, and they have one daughter, Jacqueline. He actively engaged in community affairs while maintaining a career in law and journalism.
Dr. William Jacobs, born in St. Louis on December 19, 1844, played a prominent role in the development of the Great Plains before the advent of railroads. A physician and surgeon for over forty years, he also engaged in local business as president of the Farmers State Bank in Washington County. Having served in the Second Nebraska Regiment during the Civil War, he later pursued a medical career, graduating from St. Louis Medical College in 1876. Active in various civic organizations, Jacobs lived a life marked by dedication to both medicine and community service.
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.
Robert Gray’s early life was marked by tragedy, losing his father during a move from North Carolina to Tennessee. He grew up with four sisters—Polly, Dorcas, Elizabeth, and Jane—before the family settled in Warren County, Missouri, in 1809. During the Indian war, they often took refuge in a local fort. His sisters married early settlers of Warren County, while Robert himself married Elizabeth Liles, with whom he had several children, though only a few reached adulthood.
Harvey and Frederick Griswold, cousins from Connecticut, ventured to Warren County, Missouri, at an early age. Frederick opened the first store in Pinckney after marrying Rebecca Shobe, while Harvey, arriving as a teen, began as a clerk in Frederick’s store. Eventually, he established his own store in Marthasville, gaining significant wealth. Married to Mahala Shobe, they had sixteen children, though only six survived. Harvey notably owned the land of Daniel Boone’s graves, opposing their removal and planning to erect a monument there.
Giles Jones, an Englishman, served in the American Revolutionary War before his son John arrived in Missouri in 1817 to pursue medicine. John, marrying Minerva Callaway, settled near Marthasville, becoming a notable physician with a vast practice. He was also an avid hunter, often frustrated by his horse, Nick. Involvement in combating local crime ultimately led to his assassination on January 22, 1842, inciting widespread alarm and efforts to track down his killer, although he was never found.
William T. and James Lamme, sons of Robert Lamme from Bourbon County, Kentucky, played pivotal roles in early Missouri history. William T. settled in Warren County in 1803, served as a Major, and had ten children with Frances Callaway, a descendant of Daniel Boone. His lineage includes notable marriages, such as Zarina to Willis Bryan and Hulda to John Bryan. While most of his children have passed, Hulda remains influential in Franklin County, and Achiles and Napoleon reside in Montana and California, respectively.