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MILITARY WAR RECORDS MoGenWeb Rosters of Missourians who served in MISSOURI UNITS during the following wars: War of 1812, Black Hawk's War 1832, Heatherly War ca 1836/7, Osage War 1837, Mormon War 1838, Seminole Wars 1836-1837, Iowa War (Honey War) Late 1830s, Mexican War 1846 - 1848, Southwest Expedition 1846-1865, Spanish American War 1898 Cooper County Military Wars Military Records pertaining to Cooper County, Missouri for the following military eras: Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Indian Wars, Civil War, World War II, World war II and beyond can be found. CIVIL WAR ALONG KANSAS/MISSOURI BORDER Civil War on the Western Border: The Missouri-Kansas Conflict, 1854-1865 Documents related to the hostilities that shook the Missouri-Kansas border region before and during the American Civil War. The collection includes photographs, letters, diaries, maps, and military records from over 25 contributing institutions. ALL WARS UP TO AND INCLUDING WORLD WAR I MISSOURI VETERANS Civil War Soldiers and Veteran’s information (Missouri) Civil War in the Ozarks Missouri Sons of Confederate Veterans National archives Available to request copies of older military records CIVIL WAR, SPANISH AMERICAN WAR, WORLD WAR I AND WORLD WAR II –UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI The Military and Mizzou, 1861-1946 From the archives of the University of Missouri, the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II are covered as well as Lt. Enoch Crowder and the National Defense Act of 1916 and the ROTC. NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION While most of their holdings are not online, a variety of military records, from photos to documents to searchable databases are available. WWII Army and Army Air Force Casualties: World War II Casualties Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Personnel: World War II Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938 – 1946: WWII Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938 - 1946 (Reserve Corps Records): World War II Prisoners of the Japanese File, 2007 Update, ca. 1941 - ca. 1945: WWII Naval Group China Muster Roll and Report of Change Punch Cards, 1942 – 1945 WORLD WAR I/NATIONAL VETERANS World War I in Missouri: WWI Military Service Cards: A Brief History Soldiers' Records: War of 1812 - World War I WORLD WAR I/MISSOURIANS KILLED IN THE GREAT WAR Missourians Killed in The Great War Honor States.org HonorStates.org can be used to find killed veterans in WWII, Korea and Vietnam as well. WORLD WAR I/MISSOURI VETERANS Missouri Doughboys Prominently mentions Cpl. Rudolph Forderhase of Howard County The WWI and National Museum Memorial WORLD WAR II/MISSOURI VETERANS WORLD WAR II RESEARCH GUIDE The impact of World War II on Missourians can be seen in the State Historical Society of Missouri's collections of newspapers, letters, diaries, records, photographs, and memoirs written during or about wartime military service. The collections also offer materials pertaining to civilian life during wartime and information on veterans' organizations. These records help us to understand the effects the war had on Missourians fighting overseas as well as those providing strength on the home front. WORLD WAR II/MISSOURI CASUALTIES Missouri Casualties in WWII Honor States.org WWII Army Casualties: Missouri

COOPER COUNTY RIVERS & STREAMS RIVER TALK “Headwater ” is the origin point of a stream. “Mouth ” is where it empties into another body of water. Thus the headwaters of the Lamine are in Pettis County while its mouth is in Cooper County on the Missouri River. A “Tributary ” is a stream or river that flows into a larger stream or main stream (or parent) river. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean. A “Confluence” is where two or more bodies of water meet together, and usually refers to the joining of tributaries. A “Spring ” is a point at which water from an aquifer flows to the surface. A “Seep ” is a wet or moist place where groundwater oozes to the surface. A “Creek ” is a natural stream of water normally smaller than and often tributary to a river. A “Stream ” source can be from a spring or it can form at a point where the drainage of rainwater comes together. RIVERS AND STREAMS Cooper County has been blessed with an abundance of water from springs, creeks, streams and rivers. The two main rivers are the Lamine and the Blackwater. The main creek is the Petite Saline. After joining the Missouri River, the water travels to the Mississippi River and down to the Gulf of Mexico. The LAMINE RIVER is a 63.8-mile- tributary of the Missouri River in Cooper County. It is formed in northern Morgan County , about 4 miles southeast of Otterville by the confluence of the Flat and Richland creeks, and flows generally northwardly through Cooper and Pettis counties. In northwestern Cooper County the Lamine collects water from the Blackwater River and flows into the Missouri River northeast of Lamine and 6 miles west of Boonville . At Clifton City, the river has a mean annual discharge of 455 cubic feet per second. Below the mouth of the Blackwater River, its discharge averages 1,279 cubic feet per second. The river was named by French explorers for the mining operations in the area, the river has also been known as "La Mine River" and as "Riviere a la Mine." Source: Wikipedia The water from Chouteau Springs (two clear water and 3 Sulphur water springs) in Pilot Grove Township flows into Chouteau Creek then into the Lamine, which eventually reaches the Missouri River. These springs discharge water at the rate of ten gallons per minute or 14,400 gallons per day. The BLACKWATER RIVER is formed by the confluence of the North Fork Blackwater River and the South Fork Blackwater River in Johnson County approximately 6 miles northwest of Warrensburg . The river flows generally east-northeastwardly through Johnson, Pettis , Saline and Cooper counties, past the towns of Sweet Springs and Blackwater . It flows into the Lamine River in northwestern Cooper County, approximately 4 miles southeast of Blackwater. The Blackwater River is 16 miles longer than the Lamine River, of which it is a tributary. The Blackwater River is a 79.3-mile-long tributary of the Lamine River via the Lamine and Missouri rivers, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River . The Blackwater River was named from the character of its banks and water. Source: Wikipedia PETITE SALINE CREEK is a stream in Cooper , Moniteau and Morgan Counties. It is a tributary of the Missouri River . Petite Saline Creek was so named for the salty character of its water. The stream source area is along the Morgan-Moniteau county line just north of U.S. Route 50 two miles east of Syracuse and three miles west of Tipton at an elevation of about 920 feet. The stream flows north into Cooper County crossing under, and flowing parallel to, the west side of Missouri Route 5 . The stream turns east again crossing under Route 5 just south of Billingsville . The stream flows generally east passing under Missouri Route 87 southeast of Boonville . The stream continues east to southeast passing under Missouri Route 179 south of Wooldridge . The stream enters the Missouri River bottom just south of Wooldridge in eastern Cooper County and the confluence with the Missouri is in the northern corner of Moniteau County across the river from McBaine and an elevation of 564 feet. Lewis and Clark passed by the Petite Saline on June 6, 1804 and made mention of this creek in their journals. ‘Passed the mouth of a creek called ‘saline’ or ‘salt’ creek. This river is about 30 yards wide and has so many licks and salt springs on its banks that water of the creek is brackish. One very large lick is 9 miles up on the left side. The water of this spring is strong. So much so, that it is said one bushel will make 7 pounds of good salt.” Source: Wikipedia COVERED BRIDGES There once were five covered bridges in Cooper County: Crawford, Hurt, Connors, Shoemaker, and Big Lick. They all spanned the Petite Saline Creek. All the covered bridges were replaced many years ago by either metal or concrete structures. Sadly, there are no known photos of any of the covered bridges in Cooper County. This is a sketch of the covered bridge on highway 5 between Boonville and Billingsville by Florence Friederichs. The Swinging Bridge Pretend you are a child in 1930 and your dad is going to drive you across the brand-new swinging bridge for the first time. You are tall enough to see the steep hill going up to the bridge. The truck starts across the wide boards that don't look a bit safe. You dad is driving very slowly, but you can hear creaking and bumping of the metal against metal and the wooden planks. You press your nose against the passenger window and see the dirt-brown Lamine River looming 30 feet below. The trip across the 231-foot bridge seems to take too long. Then comes the stomach-churning descent on the other side. Your dad shuts off the engine and you hop out to watch vehicles behind you crossing. Some drivers turn around, not brave enough to venture across. When the bridge is empty, your dad reaches out his hand and says, “Let's walk across.” Your heart pounds at the thought. He grabs your hand, leading you up the steep hill. A gentle breeze causes the bridge to sway. You take one step and another until both feet are planted on one of the wooden boards. The world is moving beneath your feet, pitching and rolling, like a carnival ride. Your dad tells you that farmers wanted a bridge built northwest of Pleasant Green, Missouri. They hired a man named Joe Dice, who had built other bridges like this one. A lot of local people helped build this bridge. Your dad showed you two thick groups of wires that helped reinforce the structure. More than 300 individual wires make up each bunch. Two 22-foot-deep holes on each end of the bridge were filled with hand-made concrete that served to anchor the bridge. Pretend now, it's 1994 and you are an old person. You see the bridge floor collapsed from heavy flooding, sinking into the river. It is no longer safe. The Cooper County Historical Society tries to save it, but the cost is too expensive. In 1996, you stand and watch as the bridge is removed from the Lamine River. You think back and can almost feel that bridge swaying beneath your feet. Swinging Bridge near Lamine Underside of Swinging Bridge over Lamine Old Bridge over Lamine River

DID YOU MISS OUT ON THE “GOOD OLD DAYS”? 1939 Boonville Movie Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Below are the time codes for each person identified in the movie LAMMERS VIDEO PRODUCTIONS Wayne Lammers, Producer/Director 1509 Jefferson Drive Boonville, MO 65233 lammers.video.productions@gmail.com Phone: 660-621-0135

COOPER COUNTY BANKS DURING THE DEPRESSION The Bank of Speed “Speed” is an unincorporated town in Palestine Township, Cooper County, Missouri. The Bank of Speed was the center of what was once a thriving community. It was incorporated on October 9, 1909. The amount of Capital Stock was $10,000, which in 1909 was a great sum of money. Fast forward to January 1, 1928. Harold E. Mitzel took over the bank operation in 1928 and served in that capacity through the Great Depression until June 30, 1937. According to E. J. Melton, (who wrote “History of Cooper County” in 1938), the Bank of Speed was “the only bank in Missouri that did not have to close its doors during the bank crisis of the early 30’s.”After the Boonville National Bank and the Bunceton State Bank closed, Mr. Mitzel went through the books and then advised the board of directors how many depositors would likely demand their money. They were backed by well-supported loans, but there wasn’t enough cash on hand if there was a run on the bank. The board decided to borrow $20,000 from the Federal Reserve in St. Louis. Mr. Mitzel took the bus to St. Louis and came back with $20,000 cash in his pockets. When he got off the bus in Boonville, he ran into O. J. Schlotzhauer who asked what he had in his pockets. Mitzel told him and let the story spread. When depositors came to the bank and asked how much of their money they could get, they were promptly told, “All of it.” Knowing their money was safe was all they needed to know. From then on, they either withdrew only what they needed or made deposits. The bank was saved. The loan from the Federal Reserve? It was paid back in thirty days. Resource: A Town Called Speed, by Gerhardt, Roy B., c/1984 Citizens Bank of Pilot Grove October 29, 1929, went down in history as Black Tuesday, and America went from the Roaring Twenties to the Great Depression. Banks failed and millions of people lost their jobs, homes, and life savings. Things were still bad in November 1932, but Henry A. Seltsam, cashier and secretary of the Citizens Bank of Pilot Grove, had a plan. It was a daring plan that Seltsam presented to the bank directors on Monday, November 7, 1932. “It is not fair to the faithful to permit steady withdrawals to undermine the bank’s stability, and then be forced to close with subsequent division of the remainder. I favor closing the bank tomorrow. “There is one chance to save it. If all the depositors will sign a moratorium not to draw out for 18 months what they now have on deposit, we can save the bank.” After much discussion and planning, the plan was accepted. All banks were closed the following day for the Presidential election, but the Citizens Bank of Pilot Grove remained closed on Wednesday as well. Working day and night, Seltsam and director Wallace Burger began collecting signatures. The catch: the voluntary impounding of funds would not go into effect until, and unless, 100 per cent of the depositors signed the agreement. Every depositor had an opinion about the plan, but most agreed the bank must be saved. Finally, with the signatures of all depositors, the bank re-opened and deposits grew. Pilot Grove might have been on the road to recovery, but the nation was not. While signatures were being collected in and around Pilot Grove, the people were voting for a new President. Franklin D. Roosevelt was that man. FDR took office on March 4, 1933, and immediately ordered every depository in the nation closed. After each was audited, only the financially sound were allowed to re-open. And thanks to the foresightedness of Seltsam and the directors, the Citizens Bank of Pilot Grove was one of the first to do so. Source: Pilot Grove Bicentennial

The Cooper County Historical Society is a nonprofit 501© (3) organization, founded in 1990, with a focus on collecting and preserving documents, records, historical books and other historical information on Cooper County. We have a free research library, manned by volunteers, to assist the public in finding the information that they are seeking. We also provide six, historically related programs to the public each year at no charge. ABOUT CCHS First CCHS Center Current CCHS Center OUR MISSION The Cooper County Historical Society is a nonprofit 501© (3) organization, founded in 1990, with a focus on collecting and preserving documents, records, historical books and other historical information on Cooper County. We have a free research library, manned by volunteers, to assist the public in finding the information that they are seeking. We also provide four historically related programs to the public each year at no charge. Check out "Events" tab. Visit us on Cooper County Historical Society | Pilot Grove MO | Facebook for upcoming programs or you can click on the EVENTS tab. We are funded by the proceeds of membership dues, garage sales, donations and memorials. Cooper County Historical Society Board of Directors: President Vice President Vicki McCarrell Secretary Marla Stretz Treasurer Jenny Alpers Newsletter Ray Owens Members: Joyce Bryan C arolyn Aggeler Bob Painter Annick Streck Ann Fray Fundraiser chairperson: Pam Shipman Immediate Past President Barbara Dahl Web Developers: Lisa Moody Laci Scott Location: Cooper County Historical Society (CCHS) 111 Roe Street Pilot Grove, MO 65276 Mailing Address: Cooper County Historical Society (CCHS) P.O.Box 51 Pilote Grove, MO 65276 Hours: May through September Friday-- 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. 1:00-3:00 or by email appointment Phone: 660-834-3582 E-mail: cchs2016@iland.net Find us on Facebook Become a Member Yearly Dues One person $15 Family $25 Student $7 HISTORY OF CCHS Article by: Jeanette Heaton In 1990, a few people started talking about the need for a countywide historical society. Winky Friedrichs invited a small group to her home to discuss organizing a society. It was decided to meet on September 10, 1990 in the New Lebanon 1860 church and invite everyone that might be interested. Over 50 people attended the meeting. Mr. Harold Jones served as moderator and Jeanette Heaton welcomed the group and gave a brief history of New Lebanon. Mr. Woody Fleck, from the South Howard County Historical Society, gave advice and suggestions on starting a historical society. Mary Ann Kempf spoke of her interest in recording cemeteries. Ann Betteridge indicated that she was working on a historical workbook for school children to teach them about Cooper County history. Winky Friedriches expressed her hope to see the new society promote tourism in Cooper County and be a part of the county-wide celebration of Cooper County’s 175th anniversary in 1993. All those who attended the meeting were enthusiastic about organizing, so officers were elected and dues set. By the end of that year we had 75 members, and after a few years the membership reached 150. I was honored to be elected President, and needless to say, I had my work cut out for me. Many forms had to be filled out to become a non-profit organization as well as getting the state tax exemption status. We set up bylaws and committees and all the other things that go along with organizing the historical society. One of our wisest decisions was to have the monthly meetings in churches or historical buildings throughout Cooper County. I served as President of CCHS off and on for 12 years and will always be proud of the accomplishments that our society achieved. The Cooper County Historical Society and the New Lebanon Preservation Society sponsored yearly festivals and programs for the general public from 1990 to 2019. Thank you for visiting our website. If you have any comments, suggestions, clarifications, improvements or other "Cooper County Treasures" for us to research and add to our content, please email us at: cchs2016@iland.net

COOPER COUNTY TOWNS THAT ONCE HAD TRAINS AND DEPOTS 1850-1960 There was a huge jump in County population between 1850 and 1890. Cooper County was growing quickly due to the Steamboats and the Railroads, until the start of the Civil War in 1861. When populations declined during and after the Civil War, during the Reconstruction period, and later during the Depression, the number of trains running through the County declined also. Today, the size of the remaining towns once serviced by the railroads, other than Boonville, is just an echo of what they had been when the trains ran through the town centers. The trains that are running today no longer go through towns or carry passengers, only freight and coal. BILLINGSVILLE - Billingsville is located six miles south of Boonville. At one time, the Hilden family owned the general store, the granary and the two scales. There were seven owners of the store over time. There was a blacksmith, a school, a post office, two churches and several well-built houses in the area. Two trains came to Billingsville daily. A school was built on a small bluff near the banks of the Petite Saline River Between 1852-1853 a covered bridge, spanning the river, was built on land owned by Mr. Shoemaker, so it was named the "Shoemaker Bridge". The bridge offered school children a place to play and gave people in buggies or on horseback a place to stay dry during a storm. The Southern Branch of the Osage and So Kansas Railroad came to Billingsville twice a day. The train seceded operation in 1936. BLACKWATER - The town of Blackwater, named after the nearby Blackwater River, had its beginning in 1887 when W.C. Morris filed a plat for the town. Mr. Cooney and Mr. Scott who owned the surrounding land, gave free alternating lots to obtain the location of the town. In the spring of 1887, the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company surveyed for the Missouri River Route of the Missouri Pacific Railroad. This Route was later known as the Lexington-Jefferson City Branch. he In 1888, C.T. Rucker built the first general merchandise store, and the train depot was also built. The first drugstore was operated by Riley Holman, and an early physician was D. H. Quigg. The first bank was the Farmers Stock Bank, and was built in 1895. By 1937, Blackwater had two general merchandise stores, a grocery store, blacksmith, lumber company, two poultry houses, one hotel, a grain elevator, two doctors, a bank, post office, two hardware stores, two barber shops, a beauty shop, and the Blackwater Stone Company quarry, which employed 100 people. Grain and cattle were shipped to market and livestock were fattened and shipped in. Blackwater had its largest population in the 1920's, nearly 600 people. Today the town has the following businesses: Telephone Museum, Post Office BOONVILLE - Boonville is more than a small city in the middle of Missouri. It is home to a great deal of our state’s historic past. Following the Louisiana Purchase, Americans headed west, across the Missouri River, looking for adventure and new opportunities. Boonville, the oldest city in central Missouri, was settled in 1810 by Hannah Cole and her nine children, along with her brother-in-law’s family. The Sac and Fox Indians roamed the area and became hostile around 1812. For protection, the Coles moved to the forts north of the river. By 1814, they were back in Boonville. The Cole’s cabin was in a great location and had access to fresh water, so the family built a fort around it. Soon other settlers followed and built their homes in and around the Cole’s fort. Howard County, which covered about one-third of the area that would eventually become Missouri, was organized January 23, 1816, and Hannah Cole’s fort in Boonville was the site of the first Howard County Court in July of that year. Asa Morgan and Charles Lucas platted Boonville in 1817. By 1818, Howard County, south of the Missouri River, had grown sufficiently large to allow for the forming of another county from its vast territory. Thus, Cooper County was born, and Boonville became its county seat until a permanent seat could be determined. When Morgan and Lucas gave Boonville 50 acres on which to build a county courthouse, the deal was sealed. Boonville became the permanent county seat. In 1818, Missouri made its first request for statehood. Rather than break the balance of power over the issue of slavery, Congress delayed Missouri statehood for three years. President James Monroe didn’t sign the Act making Missouri the 24th state of the Union until August 10, 1821. Source: Elizabeth Davis, Historically Yours BUNCETON - Bunceton was platted in 1868 and named after Harvey Bunce, an early settler and a Director of the Central National Bank of Boonville. The town was laid out on a town site of 20 acres in a very fertile area. The Township was named for one of the most respected early pioneers, John Kelly. Several Roller mills were erected in Bunceton, and over the years, several of them burned, causing a great deal of damage to the town. At its height of population there were 2 drug stores, 3 general stores, 4 grocery stores, 4 barber shops, 2 millinery shops, 2 doctors, 2 lumber yards, a livery stable, one carpenter shop, 3 blacksmiths, one flour mill, 4 churches, and a population of almost 1,000 people. The post office has been in operation since 1868. Today the town has seven businesses: Connections Bank, Leslie’s Service Center, 2 beauty shops, Bunceton Mutual Insurance, Josephine’s General Store, Strobel’s Welding and two churches: the Baptist Church and Federated Church. It also has an excellent K-12 public school. CLIFTON CITY - Clifton City was known as the “Devil’s Half Acre” because it was a place where several notorious characters, such as Jesse James, frequented. It was on the Katy Railroad and was an important shipping point at one time. In 1849 it had one blacksmith and one general store. During the early 1900’s it was a very prosperous town. There were blacksmiths, general stores, a bank, lumber yard, a hardware store, a farrier, 2 drug stores and a pay telephone office. Today there are no businesses in town, but a church and several homes. HARRISTON - Harriston was located 15 miles southwest of Boonville and three miles east of Pilot Grove. It was established in 1873 and grew to be an important shipping place for livestock and grain, with a railroad depot, post office, two general stores, a blacksmith shop and a few other businesses. Dr. N. W. Harris gave land for the MKT Railroad right-of-way. A depot was located there and was named Harriston. Henry W. Harris, son of Dr. Harris was appointed the first postmaster. H. Brooks was the first depot agent. Dr. Harris was the medical doctor and also operated the general store. E. Gates made wagons. N.L. Wilson sold sewing machines. Pete Bitsch was a shoe and bootmaker. In 1877, the Sly family, from Kentucky, moved to Harriston. Jim Sly became a wagon maker. His brother Jim was a blacksmith. The population grew to 50 residents. Harriston is no longer listed as a town. In 1879 Dr. Harris became postmaster. In 1883, W. Jacobs and Co. had a general store and the Woolery family owned a general store. About this time the Straub family came to Harriston. In 1891, William Sly became postmaster and the owner of the general store. In 1896, J.H. Schlotzhauer gave land for a school which was organized and named Harriston School. Clay Daniels, a stone mason, carved stones for many of the houses in the community. In 1908 the post office was combined with Pleasant Green. The depot closed and Harriston was a flag stop for passengers for a few years. Roy Daniels was the last resident of Harriston. LAMINE - Lamine is located on the river route of the Union Pacific, as well as on the Lamine River. Lamine is named for the river, which was originally named "Riviere de la Mine." In 1720, Philippe Renault, Director of mines of the French colonies in America, sent prospecting parties into the territories west of the Mississippi to seek gold and silver. In 1723 they discovered lead oar near Lamine. La Mine, or Lamine, is a contraction of the original French name. Samuel Walton erected a business in the village of Lamine in 1869. (He was the great grandfather of Sam Walton of Walmart fame), and Redd and Gibson opened a store in 1871. JJ Simms was a blacksmith and wagon maker. Dr. R. Davidson operated a drugstore. R.R. Reed was postmaster. The mail came on a stagecoach route that traveled daily from Boonville to Arrowrock. Tornadoes are somewhat common in the Lamine area. In the late 1800's, Thomas Weekly recalled his father's account of the tornado which came down the Lamine River and struck the bluff three times. The third time it came up the ravine, it destroyed the Baptist church, while the Christian Church was not harmed. Eventually the town of Lamine was moved closer to the river and the railroad. The two towns were sometimes referred to as New Lamine an Old Lamine. Turley descendants have lived in the Lamine area since 1811. Stephen Turley fought in the War of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Turley were the last operators of the store they owned in Lamine which closed in 1984. A Hopewell Indian settlement, located at the confluence of the Lamine and Missouri Rivers, is listed on the Register of Historic Places. OTTERVILLE - The town was named “Otterville” because of the great number of Otters in the area. The businesses and homes were originally located north of the town near the school. The mail from Arator was carried on horseback by a young boy named James Wear. Later he became a prosperous merchant in St. Louis For a while, Otterville grew quickly as it was the end of the line for Missouri Pacific Railroad. Later the railroad extended its service to Sedalia, and when Sedalia became the end of the line, business in Otterville declined, while Sedalia boomed. William Stone, in 1825, was one of the first to settle. Other early families included William Reed from Tennessee and James G. Wilkerson from Kentucky. William Sloan came in 1826. Thomas Parsons was a hatter from Virginia and opened the first hatter's shop south of Boonville. Fredrich Sherly appeared about 1827 and was known as one of the best hunters around. Before coming to the area, Sherly had been with General Jackson in the Creek War. He had been present at the battle of Horse Shoe Bend and witnessed the death of over 500 Indians. James Davis arrived from Tennessee and was known as a great rail splitter. James Brown was another hunter who settled in the area. Brown had once hunted with Daniel Boone. An early enterprise was run by John Gabriel who came from Kentucky. Gabriel had a distillery and made whiskey. One day he was killed for his money by a slave. The slave was captured, and then hanged in Boonville which was the county seat. Thomas Jefferson Stark was another early settler Otterville who became a lawyer and was admitted to the bar and served as legal adviser and Notary Public for this part of Missouri. He is also responsible for much of the history we have of Otterville and the surrounding area. On February 22, 1947, a city election changed Otterville from village to Fourth Class City. OVERTON - Overton is opposite Rocheport on the Missouri River. Overton was an unincorporated community in northeast Cooper County. The community was adjacent to the south edge of the Missouri River floodplain. Overton was laid out in 1901, and named in honor of William B. Overton, the original owner of the town site. After the loss of the steamboat trade in the 1880’s and 90’s, the town moved to a place near the base of the bluffs near the railroad. A post office called Overton was established in 1864, and remained in operation until 1944. Unfortunately, due to heavy flooding of the Missouri River in 1993 and 1995, the farms that once dotted this area have become wetlands and many farmers sold their land to the US government, such as the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Today, acres of weedy, herbaceous plants cover what were once crop fields in the Overton Bottoms section of the Big Muddy National Wildlife Refuge and Service. It is now known as the Big Muddy Fish and Wildlife Refuge that covers the Missouri River bottoms adjacent to Interstate 70. Source: Ann Betteridge Discover Cooper County and (the source of the article about Overton), Brendan Gibbons Columbia Missouri PILOT GROVE - Pilot Grove became a town in 1873, soon after the arrival of the MKT Railroad. Samuel Roe, a teacher and postmaster, was the founder of Pilot Grove. He also helped with the building of the railroad depot. The town was named "Pilot Grove" for a grove of tall hickory trees standing on the prairie, which served as a guide and was a "pilot" for travelers going across the prairie. Like many other towns in its day, Pilot Grove became prosperous because of the railroad. It became a major shipping point for grain and livestock. Other successful businesses were a pottery, blacksmith shop, brickyard, millinery, ice house, livery stable, grain elevator, and a flour and grist mill. Most businesses were farm related, but some were engaged in manufacturing. There were factories that made furniture, boats and cabinets. The cabinet shop eventually became the start of Anderson Windows. One of the biggest events in Pilot Grove happened in 1945, when a train carrying ammunition and oil, derailed about one-half mile north of town, derailing 20 cars. Flames and smoke rose over 400 feet, and shells exploded. One can only wonder what would have happened if the train had derailed in town. Today, Pilot Grove is the second largest town in Cooper County. PLEASANT GREEN This is a picture of the small building that housed the Pleasant Green Post Office from 1869-1871 and 1873-1954. It also served as a telephone office. In the middle of what is now Cooper County, Anthony Winston Walker arrived in 1818 with his wife, and three sons. They started with a one-story brick house, slave quarters, and a separate cookhouse. The estate was called Pleasant Green after an earlier home in Virginia. In 1824, Walker set aside 1-1/2 acres for a church and cemetery. Pleasant Green Methodist church is still in use today, and the cemetery is still active. According to census records, Walker had two African-American slaves in 1830. It was at this time that a two-story federal style add-on was built for their son Anthony Smith Walker to be used as his office and as a post office. Eventually, the Walker family owned 61 slaves and 13,00 acres of land. Anthony Smith Walker had been postmaster, assessor, and a Cooper County Judge. He was in the Missouri Legislature from 1844 until Lyon captured Jefferson City in 1861. His son, Anthony Walker, was a major in the Union Army when he inherited Pleasant Green and didn’t return to take over the estate until 1872. Some time after that, several acres were sold for the town of Buzzard’s Roost. (Local residents know it as Pleasant Green.) Everything was lost in bankruptcy in the 1900’s bank panic. Fifty years later, Florence (Winky) Walker Chesnutt Friedrichs, a direct descendant of the Walker’s, and her husband Stanley Chestnut, repurchased the Pleasant Green Plantation house. It has remained in the family ever since. The plantation had a separate building (see picture above) that served as both the telephone office and the post office. At one time, Pleasant Green was a busy little town with three general stores, a small hotel, bank, drug store, hardware store, barber shop, livery stable, blacksmith, and two grain elevators. People began to leave the town in the late 1920’s and early 1930’s. The trains had bypassed the town and there were trucks and cars by then, and people could drive to larger towns for business and shopping. In the late 30’s and early 1940’s, the town collapsed. All that is left of the town is the little telephone and post office and several Victorian homes. PRAIRIE LICK - Prairie Lick was located five miles southeast of Boonville on the MKT railroad. There was once a store, grain elevator and blacksmith shop there. George Drennan operated a store there until the late 1920's. Mr Tom Bryan was the last store owner in Prairie Lick. On the 1950 Census Prairie Lick was no longer listed as a town. SPEED (New Palestine) - Speed is an unincorporated community located along Missouri Route F, on a branch of the Petite Saline creek, four miles East of Bunceton. It was originally laid out on higher ground in 1868, and named Palestine. Later, the town moved closer to the creek when the Osage Valley and Southern Kansas & Texas Railroad (KATY) came through in 1898, and was renamed “New Palestine” after the move, and later renamed “Speed” after Austin Speed, a railroad official. Speed was a very prosperous town after the move. Many businesses, including a bank did very well. When the railroad was disbanded, most of the businesses closed, and today there are no businesses left in Speed. The post office closed in 1955. One church remains active. WOOLDRIDGE - Wooldridge was incorporated in 1902. The Missouri Pacific ran past Wooldridge but rarely stopped. The town had a restaurant, general store, a drug store and a lumber yard. A tomato factory was in operation in 1908. The town slowly disappeared and only the church and post office remained of the original town. In the Fall of 2022, during harvest time, a piece of farm machinery started a fire, and the dense smoke from it was seen for miles around. The church and post office were damaged, but nothing else remains. There are still a few homes on the bluff above Wooldridge.

CHURCH, CEMETERY, AND SCHOOL RECORDS Church Records History Books: Early Baptist Church Records; Antioch Baptist; Boonville Baptist; West Boonville Evangelical; Cumberland Presbyterian; Evangelical United Church of Christ; First Presbyterian; Mt. Nebo; Mt. Vernon Presbyterian; Nelson Memorial United Methodist; Pleasant Grove Community; St John the Baptist; St, John’s United Church of Christ; St. Joseph’s Catholic; St. Paul German Evangelical Lutheran; St. Peter and Paul Catholic; Lutheran of Clark’s Fork; Yeager Union Trinity; Centennial Books: Evangelical United Church of Christ – Boonville; First Baptist – Boonville; Lamine Baptist Association: Nelson Memorial United Methodist; SS Peter & Paul Catholic; St. John’s United Church of Christ; First Baptist Church - Prairie Home; First Christian Church (DOC) - Boonville, First Baptist Church Prairie Home, First Christian Church (DOC) Boonville Church Records in File Drawer Information on 104 different churches, some with a great deal of information Cemetery Records and file information for Cooper, Moniteau and Morgan Counties. Card File with Individual Burial Records Cemetery map brochure with 52 cemeteries– free Large cemetery wall map of 186 cemetery locations Notebooks listing burials by Cemetery Old School Records and file information In cabinet: Bellaire School; Billingsville School; Blackwater School; Bluffton School; Boonville School; Byberry School; Choteau School; Clear Springs School; Cotton Patch School; Crossroads School; Dunkles Beginner’s School; Fairview School; Hickory Grove School; Highland; Kemper School; Locust Grove School; Mount Vernon School; New Lebanon School; Oakwood School; Pilot Grove School; Pilot Grove – St. Joseph’s School; Pisgah School; Pleasant Green; Simmon’s School; Speed School; Splice Creek School; Sumner School; Stony Point School. Much more in file drawers. COOPER COUNTY SOLDIER INFORMATION Soldier Information in CCHS files - Civil War - Muster rolls, Hospital records, Cooper County men who served, Military Prisoners, Troop movement, Militia Records, Confederate Navy Records, Military Prisoners, list of dead at Springfield and Wilson’s Creek, Grand Army of the Republic records, Hospital Records, 1882-1940 Book: Civil War Day by Day – 1861-65 (Carolyn Bartels) Also see Military Records

AUTHORS, ARTISTS, & HISTORIANS OF COOPER COUNTY AUTHORS Books are a very important part of our lives and national heritage. For the sake of argument, books are not limited to physical, printed editions. For those who have switched to e-books or “read” audio books, remember, each book, whether fiction or non-fiction, must first be written or “created.” Throughout the year, there are many unofficial, designated special occasions that bring recognition to a person, place, or thing. November is National Novel Writing Month, April is National Poetry Month, and the third week in January is National Book Week. In May, there is even a National Children’s Book Week. But who writes all these books, and when? Thousands of people have written books and have done so for centuries. Our forefathers (and mothers) have written about America’s colonial days, our war for independence, and each and every war we’ve had since then. There are biographies, historical fiction, science fiction, and poetry. Not all books were written long ago or by authors now gone. At least a dozen writers live in Cooper and Howard counties. To them I dedicate this column. Source: Elizabeth Davis Women Authors: Ann Betteridge Florence (Winky) Friedrich e s Anita Crews Elizabeth Davis Cindy Koch Eva Ridenour Linda Runnebaum Anna Skjei Mary Ann Snapp Judy Stock Barb Thoma Casey Wendleton There is no way any one person can know every author, so my apologies for all the names I’ve missed. Source: Elizabeth Davis WELL KNOWN ARTISTS George Caleb Bingham George Caleb Bingham is best remembered as a 19th century artist who left behind a visual record of American history. Bingham was born in Virginia on March 20, 1811. Although he grew up in a slave-holding family, he and his family’s roots were firmly tied to generations of New England ministers. In 1819, Bingham’s family moved to Franklin, Missouri. There, they opened an inn and purchased a tobacco farm in Arrow Rock. Four years later Bingham’s father died and his mother, one of the best educated women of the day, opened a girls’ school to support the family. Bingham hired out as a farmhand as soon as he was old enough to help, but it was soon discovered he was asthmatic. With few options before him, he became a cabinetmaker apprentice near Boonville, first to Jesse Green and later to Justinian Williams. He learned precise craftsmanship and by 1834, Bingham was using that craftsmanship as a portrait painter. A self-taught American primitive artist, Bingham wanted more. In 1836, he went back east to study at the Philadelphia Academy. While there, he was able to see originals of America’s greatest—Benjamin West, Washington Allston, etc. After only a few months, his work became more sophisticated. Always seeking to improve his art work, Bingham then went to Dusseldorf, Germany, in 1856 to continue his studies. At the time, Dusseldorf was the center of the western art world. Prior to the Civil War, when future Missouri Governor Claiborne Jackson was campaigning for slavery, George Bingham was campaigning against it. Bingham believed “slavery should not be expanded, slave families should never be separated, and all slaves should be gradually emancipated.” When the Civil War began, Bingham enlisted as a captain in Van Horn’s US Reserve Corps. After being defeated in September 1861, they were disbanded according to the terms of their surrender. A few months later, on January 4, 1862, Union Governor Hamilton Gamble appointed Bingham state treasurer for Missouri. After the war, Bingham was able to continue his art while he served as Missouri’s adjutant general and in other appointed posts. George Caleb Bingham died in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 7, 1879. Source: Historically Yours, by Elizabeth Davis Florence (Winky) Friedriches – Painter, graphic arts, metal work, dress design Wayne Lammers – Photography Edwards Family Two generations of photographers O. D. Edwards came to the United States and settled in Boonville in 1859. Edwards became a skilled photographer and made a fine living during the Civil War, photographing soldiers on both sides. His success lasted for the better part of 50 years. Louis Edwards, his son, followed in his father’s footsteps. He graduated from Boonville High School and attended the Singleton Academy before becoming as skilled in photography as his father. He was known for quality work at reasonable prices. William L. Tanner William L. Tanner, the oldest of twelve children, was born in Illinois on September 24, 1880, the son of Louis and Christina (Kraft) Tanner. Louis Tanner was a native of Switzerland and came to the United States with his parents at the age of 14. He served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. After the war, the family moved to St. Louis where they operated a manufacturing business. Later they relocated to Lost Prairie, Illinois. In 1886, the family returned to St. Louis. William Tanner left school at 13 and went to work in a gents’ furnishing store until the age of 19. At that time he took up the study of photography and worked with Gustav Schneidt who had learned the art in Germany. On June 5, 1905, Willian Tanner married Miss Emma Georgiana Schneidt, the daughter of his employer, and the union was blessed with one son, William Louis, Jr. In 1911 Tanner began working in the studio of O. C. Conkling. He became a traveling salesman for Hyatt’s Photo Supply Company in 1914 and stayed in their employ until he moved to Boonville in 1916. On March 23, 1916, Tanner opened his own studio in the McCurdy Building in Boonville where he had what we call today a Grand Opening. It was quite a new way of doing business in the early 1900s. And each lady attending received a photograph of herself—54 in all. Tanner’s studio lasted just under three years. On December 23, 1918, it burned down and he lost almost everything in the fire. However, a successful business doesn’t stay down long. Tanner reopened Tanner Studio and Art Shop at 305 Main St. on February 26, 1919. Occupying two floors and the basement, it was the “the last word in modernity. The nitrogen lighting system, with a battery of eight lights, of strength of 8000 watts, is used and renders reliance on daylight as an adjunct to photography unnecessary. Posing can be accomplished at any hour of the day or night…studio is equipped with the finest model of camera in existence fitted with an automatic adjustment, and which uses films instead of plates. Perfectly appointed dressing rooms have been provided for patrons.” A new department of the studio was handled by Frank Swap, a local artist. For those who were interested, portrait painting was also available. Source: Johnson, W. F. , History of Cooper County, vol. I, c/1919, page 498 Maximilian Schmidt (1865-1935) Maximilian Schmidt learned the trade of a jeweler and watchmaker. WELL KNOWN HISTORIANS Ann Betteridge - Author of the 400-page workbook “Discover Cooper County by Looking Back”, was given personally to each Cooper County third grader by the author, along with a fun history lesson. Ann presented this book, which she had researched and written, to the children for over a period of over 20 years, until her untimely death. Gladys Darby Elizabeth Davis Jim Denny Bob Dyer Florence ”Winky” Friedriches Jeanette Heaton James Higby Wayne Lammers Helen Mitzel (1901-2006) Mary Pat Holmes Sam Jewett Maryellen McVicker Patrick Overton Bonnie Rapp Judy Shields HISTORICAL WRITERS Wayne Lammers Maryellen McVicker Ann Betteridge Bob Dyer Jim Dyer Judy Shields Elizabeth Davis Jeanette Heaton

PROHIBITION Sheriff John Grothe and Deputy James Morton with captured moonshine sti ll in St. Charles, 1924. (S1083) State Historical Society of Missouri. (1920 - 1933) Prohibition era begins across the U.S. affecting many of the German immigrant-owned beer companies in Missouri “Beginning in 1882, Missouri counties and towns passed local option laws to turn communities dry. By World War I, over 90 of the state’s 114 counties were dry through these laws. On January 16, 1919, Missouri ratified what would become the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which banned the manufacture and sale of alcohol. Under the 18th Amendment and the Volstead Act, Missouri's flourishing alcohol and wine industry took a significant step back, particularly German-immigrant owned breweries. After a decade of inefficient enforcement, and with the deepening of the Great Depression, the 21st Amendment, which repealed the 18th Amendment, was ratified in 1933.” Boonville had a very successful brewery, Griessmaier & Roeschel Brewery/Winery, which opened in 1874 and closed in 1878. After prohibition, another brewery known as the Haas Brewery, operated from 1933-1942. So Cooper County did not have any “legal” establishments put out of business during prohibition. There is no record about where, or if, county residents obtained “adult beverages” during prohibition. Courtesy of: Missouri Bicentennial Timeline 1867 Source: Boonvil le Tourism Warm Springs Ranch Warm Springs Ranch is located a few miles east of Boonville, Missouri. Hundreds of tourists turn up each year to visit the international stars who make their home at Warm Springs Ranch. In a round-about way, it started in 1933 when Congress passed the 21st Amendment which repealed the 18th Amendment, otherwise known as Prohibition. There was little doubt the Amendment would be ratified by the states and, after 13 years without legal alcohol, Congress and the people couldn’t, or wouldn’t, wait. The Cullen-Harrison Act of 1933, introduced by Representative Thomas H. Cullen and Senator Pat Harrison in March, was rushed through both houses of Congress and signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in eight days. The bill legalized 3.2% beer, effective on April 7, 1933, before the 21st Amendment was ratified. April 7 became, unofficially anyway, National Beer Day. To celebrate the first day of legalized alcohol in over a decade, August A. Busch, Jr. presented his father, the Sr. Busch, with a red, white, and gold beer wagon drawn by eight Clydesdales. After the wagon carried the first case of beer from the St. Louis brewery in a special journey through St. Louis, the Sr. Busch had the team sent by rail to New York City. Once there, they picked up two cases of beer at Newark Airport. The first case was presented to New York’s former governor Al Smith for his help in repealing Prohibition. Then the Clydesdales toured New England and the Mid-Atlantic States, stopping on the way to deliver a case of beer to President Franklin D. Roosevelt at the White House. Today, the Budweiser Clydesdales are international stars. They travel all over the US, appear in parades, and make commercials which are seen all over the world, especially on Super Bowl Sunday. The largest breeding facility for these magnificent horses is right here in the middle of Missouri at Warm Springs Ranch.

GENEALOGY Picture from Carolyn Aggeler collection COOPER COUNTY VITAL AND HISTORICAL RECORDS: AVAILABLE AT THE COOPER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY RESEARCH CENTER 111 Roe Street Pilot Grove, MO 65276 660-834-3582

COMMUNITY/TOWNSHIP SETTLEMENT Once the War of 1812-1814 was over, the Missouri Territory was considered safe for settlers. The pioneers steadily poured into the Boonslick area, looking for a new start in the frontier. They found rich soil for crops, prairies for livestock grazing, springs and streams, plus the Missouri River for water, trees for building, and fish and abundant large and small game for food. Soon, small communities were formed and in some, churches and schools were established. Farms, mills and small local businesses were important communication and trade centers in the early communities. Many of the communities were as small as a few homes or farms near each other, and many of these settlements were never officially platted on the County map. Over time, there were over 65 named communities in Cooper County. If we divide the County into 5 parts, (below) you can see the location of some of the towns/settlements on the map, plus you can locate where some of those settlements that are no longer in existence might have been. Railroads helped further settle the County and were very important to the economic growth of the area. The first railroad, the Missouri Pacific, was completed through Otterville, in 1860. The second, the Osage Valley and Southern Kansas, ran from Boonville to Versailles, stopping at Billingsville, Joe Town, New Palestine (Speed), Petersburg, Bunceton and Vermont. The third was the “KATY” which went through Prairie Lick, Pilot Grove, Harriston, Pleasant Green and Clifton City. With the coming of the railroads through several small, sleepy towns they became very busy centers of commerce, attracting merchants, banks, hotels, doctors and a variety of businesses, plus they gained a major growth in population. Since most roads at this time were rough, and often just wagon trails, trains offered passengers a comfortable way to travel, and cattle, grain and other products could be moved quickly and efficiently to larger markets, usually Saint Louis. Plus, mail was delivered to the towns by rail, instead of by horseback or carts. However, things began to change by 1915, when early automobiles and pickup trucks became more numerous, and plank and gravel roads (but not paved), became more common. The last train to make its final trip out of Cooper County was the which left Boonville on 1986. As local train service was eliminated, people and businesses started leaving, and some of the towns that had been well populated lost businesses and residents, as people sought jobs and/or higher wages in larger towns. While some towns became just a shadow of their former selves, others just disappeared. A loss of a post office seems to indicate that a town had grown too small to support one. You will notice that some post offices were closed during the Civil War. The decrease in population was also accelerated by the Great Depression and the drought during the 1930’s. Note: Post Office column displays the delivery dates; "Never" means the place never had a post office; and "Gone" means the town does not exist anymore. Looking at the map below you will see that early Cooper County was dotted with towns. Eventually, many of the towns were officially platted, but some settlements remained as just settlements. Of the over 65 settlements/towns that were in early Cooper County, by 2021, only a few remain as active cities, towns, villages, or as viable unincorporated areas. References: Memorabilia of Cooper County, Missouri, 2020 PDF Edition Discover Cooper County by Ann Betteridge CHANGES IN COOPER COUNTY POPULATION AND TOWNS FROM 1820 UP TO 1960 When we look at the history of Cooper County, we see that a few towns were originally settlements, then became towns, or cities, and have been active since the early 1820's. Yet, others had a good start, but after a few years, the population was greatly diminished and, in some cases, almost all traces of those early towns are totally gone. Cooper County’s population was greatly affected by its history and available means of travel Some Background: Cooper is one of 115 counties in Missouri. As of 7/1/2022, Cooper County had a population of 17,059, with a total of 7,282 households. Cooper ranks #62 in size of Missouri County populations. The growth rate for 2020 to 2022 was 0.11%. For 2022-2027 it is forecast to be 0.01%. Source: HomeTownLocator When we examine the history of Cooper County, we are lead to wonder why early residents chose to make the trip. Why did they choose to come, and why might they have decided to stay or leave? We find many reasons to come, and which events influenced population growth and decline. Adventurers – The challenge to come to a new area of the country, to live off the land, perhaps find gold, silver or other treasure, or to become famous for an unusual deed encouraged some to come. A Second Chance at the Good Life – They may have had a less than desirable background and the newly opened territory might have given them a chance to redeem themselves and start life over. Early Settlers – They came to stay. They proved that Missouri was a wonderful place to settle. Abundant wildlife, fertile ground, plenty of water and timber, and land was free or not expensive. Transportation – Missouri was blessed with several early means of travel by land and water - ferries, wagons, stage coach’s (but no roads) , Steam Boats, and later, railroads, cars and trucks. Wars – we need to factor in that during the Civil War, World War I, II, and later wars, many local men and women died and did not return home to start or maintain families. Some families left the area and relocated elsewhere after the death of a loved one. Depression – The depression of the 1930's had some serious effects on the population, yet some towns regained much of their earlier strength and population, while others did not. Cooper County population was greatly influenced by many events 1810 – The Cole families settled in what would become Cooper County 1812 – Lamine was settled 1812 – War of 1812-1814 in Cooper County 1816 – Hannah Cole’s sons operated the first ferry between Cooper and Howard Counties 1818 – Cooper became a County 1819 – First Steamboat on the Missouri River 1820 – Missouri Packet - First steam boat to sink in the Missouri River near Boonville 1821 – Missouri became the 24th state 1821 – Trade Route to Santa Fe opened (Santa Fe Trail) 1827 – Town of Franklin, located across from Boonville, washed away in a major flood of the Missouri River 1860’s – Stage Coaches carried passengers and the mail 1860 – First railroad established in the County (Missouri Pacific) 1861 - 1864 – Civil War – two battles and two occupations in Cooper County during years 1861 – Missouri was the first state to emancipate all enslaved persons 1901 – First automobile driven in Cooper County/road improvement began 1914 - 1918 – World War I in Europe 1918 - 1919 – Many died from the “Spanish” Flu. (NO Cooper County figures available) 1930 -1939 – Nation-wide Depression 1940 - 1945 – World War II 1943 – Highway 40 Bridge over the Missouri River connects Howard County to Cooper County 1960 – Route I-70 by-passes Boonville, but passes through Cooper County Population Growth in Cooper County Missouri became the 24th state on August 10, 1821. Cooper County was established when Howard County was divided into what was to become Cooper County along the Missouri River. Following the War of 1812, the population of Cooper and the surrounding area began to increase, especially along the Missouri River. The majority of early settlers were from Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and the Carolinas. Settlers from Germany and Ireland helped to increase the population. In the year 1820, only about 12% of the population of Missouri was foreign born. According to the 1820 US Census, Cooper County had a population of 6,959, but the population ten years later was only 6,904, a loss of 55. However, a good case can be made for an increase of more than 8,700 rather than the official drop. In November 1820, after the 1820 census had been taken, three counties were formed out of Cooper County: Cole, Lafayette, and Saline. Their 1830 census totals were 3,023; 2,912; and 2.873 respectively. Had those counties not been established, these figures would have been part of Cooper Counties totals. Sources: Discover Cooper County by Ann Betteridge and A History of Pilot Grove. The population numbers increased with each census until 1890, when Cooper County had a population of 22,707. From then on, the population started to decline to 14,643 in 1980. Cooper County has continued to slowly grow, and the US Census of 2010 showed a population of 17,601, but in 2020 it was 17,103. Although there are many small, unincorporated communities in Cooper County, there have been only six incorporated cities. Boonville was already platted when Missouri became a state in 1821, but it wasn't incorporated until 1839. Its first official census wasn't taken until 1850. There were 2,326 residents in Boonville that year, the smallest ever recorded for the city at that time, but Boonville, the County Seat of Cooper County, continued to grow. The numbers weren't always higher than the previous count, but they tended to go up. The highest count recorded in Cooper County population was 21,596 in 1880 and 22,707 in 1890. By 1990 the total population had dropped to 14,835. In the 2010 Census it climbed back to 17,601, but dropped back to 17,103 in 2020. In order of establishment, Otterville became the second city in Cooper County. Platted in 1837, Otterville didn't have an official census until 1880 and recorded 505 residents. Source: Wikipedia The population was pretty stable and peaked at 507 in 1990. In 2010, the official population was 454. The other four cities were established in the space of twenty years: Bunceton in 1868, Pilot Grove in 1873, Prairie Home in 1874, and Blackwater in 1887. Bunceton had 493 residents in 1890 and no census was reported in 1900. The population for the next two census reports of 1910, and 1920 was 788, and 860 respectively. Growth after 1920 never increased. The official population in 2010 was 354. Pilot Grove and Prairie Home were founded just a year apart, in 1873 and 1874. Pilot Grove started with 209 residents at their first census in 1880 and in 2010 reached 768. Prairie Home's census was similar. They started with a low of 43 in 1880 and by 2010 they had reached 280. Blackwater was the last of the current six incorporated cities in Cooper County. Founded in 1887, their first census wasn't taken until 1900 and it recorded a population of 285. The community grew until 1930, when the population peaked at 506. The number of residents and businesses continued to decline with only a minor spike in 1980 until the 2010 census showed Blackwater at just under 60 percent of its first headcount. While many towns and communities have existed in Cooper County over the past two hundred years, there are only six official towns there today: Blackwater, Boonville, Bunceton, Otterville, Pilot Grove, and Prairie Home. Using only the census records, the smallest town in Cooper County was Prairie Home in 1880 with a population of 43. It reached its peak of 2010 with 280. The smallest town by population today is Blackwater. It started with 285 in 1900, topped out in 1930 with 506, and has now dropped below 200: 199 in 2000 and 162 in 2010. Otterville started with 505 people in 1880 and peaked in 1990 with 507. Currently, Otterville’s 2010 population was 454. Pilot Grove and Bunceton appeared to have competed for fifty years for the title of “Second largest town in Cooper County.” While Pilot Grove started first, the population in 1880 was only 209. Bunceton’s population was officially 493 by 1890 but only had 493 people to Pilot Grove’s 560. By 1900, Bunceton had taken the lead from Pilot Grove: 856 to 631. For the next three decades, Bunceton was the second largest town in Cooper County, with Pilot Grove in third place. In 1940, the tables turned. Pilot Grove had exactly 100 more people than Bunceton. While Pilot Grove’s population has had its ups and downs, it has managed to maintain its number two spot in the county with its highest population of 768 being recorded in 2010. Using only the census records, the smallest town in Cooper County was Prairie Home in 1880, with a population of 43. It reached its peak in 2010 with 280. Sources: Adapted from Discover Copper County, by Ann Betteridge and Historically Yours by Elizabeth Davis

LIFE WITHOUT ELECTRICITY We have former President Roosevelt to thank for bringing electricity to rural areas in the US. This was accomplished through the passing of the TVA Act (Tennessee Valley Authority) which gave “preference” to “states, counties, municipalities and cooperative organizations of citizens or farmers, not organized businesses for profit, but primarily for the purpose of supplying electricity to its own citizens or members”. At the time the Rural Electrification Act (REA) was passed, on May 11, 1935, some effects of the Depression were easing, but unemployment was still high. By bringing electrification to rural America, people would be put back to work, farm production would be increased, a hungry nation would be fed, and the quality of life improved in rural areas of the US. A new corporation of Cooper, Cole, Moniteau and Morgan counties was formed in May, 1939, thus, the CO-MO name. These four counties had originally been a part of the Central Missouri Electric Cooperative, Inc. (This is a simplification of a very involved project). After several delays due to slow shipment of materials, the project was started. It took 75,000-man hours to build the first 360 mile of lines. This was accomplished during severe winter weather. Bill Tuttle was a sophomore in high school in 1939. Mr Needy, the director of the project, had told Bill’s mother that she could decorate her Christmas tree with electric lights that year. On December 23, a strange sound filled the countryside. The substation east of Boonville hummed all night as it warmed up to provide service. When Tuttle came home on December 24, he found that their tree was lighted up for Christmas. His mother was very excited with her tree. Co-Mo country is very Steeped in Christianity and was prepared to honor the birth of the true light of the world to help illuminate that celebration. The addition of electricity to farms in Co-Mo Country quickly opened eyes and changed lives from young children to long-time residents. Arline Reimund remembers the day the “lights came on”. “One day we came home from school to a great surprise. The electric lights were on in every room. What fun clicking on and off the electric light on the long string in every room. No more straining our eyes to see our homework as we all crowded around the kitchen table. No more walking to town to get that smelly kerosene for the lamps that we cleaned daily with vinegar and water. Why, we could even see the cobwebs in the corner ceiling over the stove. Yes, I have been there, and I for one will take the modern comforts of electricity without hesitation and count my blessings.” Source: Co-Mo Country – “Power for the People – 75 years of Lighting the Way” Prior to electricity in the home, families had many problems that are almost unknown today: Keeping food safely cold. Ice for the ice box was only available during the winter or freezing weather Drinking safe water from rain runoff or a cistern (electric well pumps solved that p roblem) Safely lighting various areas of the house – no more kerosene lamp fires Bringing light to barns early in the morning or after sundown Having a safe/dependable source of heat during the winter