Clinton Co. Historical Society
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CLINTON CO. HISTORICAL SOCIETYMissionOur Society is dedicated to the preservation of the history of Clinton County, Missouri and maintains this site as one means of sharing information, preserving the "memories" and "heritage" of the area. Officers: Helen Russell, phone (816) 539-0093 The Society plans to meet the 4th Thursday, 7:00pm of every other month at different sites throughout the area. If you are from out of town, check on exact meeting plans before coming. The Genealogical Library is located in "The Community Court Yard Building" on Maple St., a block west of the courthouse in Plattsburg. It is maintained by diligent volunteers by appointment only Monday-Friday. If you have requests, questions, contributions, or needs of such services please email this site. County SeatPlattsburg, the county seat, is located 30 miles S-SE of St. Joseph, MO and 35 miles N-NE of Kansas City, MO on Highway 116. Other communities include Cameron, Gower, Lathrop and Trimble. |
Brief County Historyby L. P. Grooms, Plattsburg, MO Before the official founding of Clinton County, the area was settled by one John Livingston in 1830. During his first winter it is reported he killed close to fifty black bears, 22 where the present-day Clinton County Courthouse stands. Until the Platte Purchase, the area was "the border county" and sometimes known as the "Gateway to the West." Clinton County is rich in heritage and history. It was established as a county in 1833 from the larger, older Clay county, home of Confederate soldier turned outlaw Jesse James. The "History of Missouri" chapter in the book, Goodspeed's History of Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Crawford & Gasconade Counties Missouri, 1888, 1970, page 184, gives the "Dates of the organization of the counties, origin of their names, etc., Clinton {county name}--Organized January 15, 1833; reduced to its present limits in 1841. Named for Vice-President George Cllinton, of New York. This county seat was first called Concord, then Springfield, and finally Plattsburg, for the residence of Gov. Clinton." [submitted to MOCLINTO-L] History of Clinton County Courthouse is on this site (opens in new window) Some of the original pioneers included such family names as Biggerstaff, Fry, Livingston, Newby, Vassar, as well as several others. Plattsburg became the county seat and was soon a thriving community.
War Between the States, Clinton Co. MissouriClinton County was primarily settled by Southerners, although it was well and bravely represented on both sides during the Civil War. Casualties include Confederate Rufus Kelley, who died in the Battle of Wilson's Creek in 1861, and Union Captain Turney who died in a skirmish just east of Plattsburg in 1864. Both brave soldiers are buried in the old Plattsburg Cemetery. The Civil War divided Clinton County, who had forces and casualties representing both sides. The county was however, pro-southern in sentiment. Hassled by border guerrila warfare, Plattsburg (and Clinton County) was often terrorized by Quantrell's forces. Sen. David Rice Atchison was also known to stir up Southern sentiment against Jim Lane and the Kansas Redlegs. As with any warfare, there is no good side of battle. Many brave young men from the county representing both sides became casualties. A sad plight for neighbors and families. |
Captain Dewitt Clinton McMichael, of Plattsburg, Missouri, soon after he was commissioned as Captain in the 13th Veteran Volunteer Calvalry Regiment in 1864. He began the Civil War in the 6th Missouri Militia, Company F as an enlisted man. Company F was made up of the "flower of Clinton County's finest" history records. The roster included Captain Charles C. Basset, afterwards a prominent lawyer in South Missouri, and Daniel M. Birch, fresh out of the Virginia University. [looking for photo] D.C. McMichael rose through the ranks quite fast and led the lead company through the charge at dowtown Independence, MO which routed Cabell's brigade out of that town. He also saw intense action at Westport and Newtonia, commanded the post at Liberty, and later became assigned to important posts in St. Louis. Captain McMichael is of great interest to me as I currently live in the house of his father, Thomas McMichael, which was originally built in 1848 and finished around 1860 by the latter. He was an important methodist deacon who built the first church in Plattsburg out of logs (M.E. Church). Incidently, his older brother John was Mayor of PLattsburg, served in the state senate, and started the original three newspapers in Plattsburg ... The Lever, The Democrat, and The Leader which is still published in 2003 by Steve Tinnen. Much of this information, as well as the picture, has been supplied to me by Joel Hedrick, Civil War Historian and Author, who is writing a book about the 6th Missouri. The majority of the rest of the family research I have done. I am currently seeking any information on the McMichael family, Primarily John's descendents since he was the only child to outlive his dad and prosper. When his wife, Julia Lincoln McMichael, of the Clay County Lincolns, died in the 1930s she left a son John Morgan and a daughter Julia in NW Arkansas. Please email me if you have any Info, Thanks! A sad note on D.C. McMichael is that he stayed in the military after the Civil War and was killed in 1877 leading a charge against the Modoc Indians in Oregon. He is buried in a NW U.S. National Cemetery. A long way from home for a Plattsburg hero to rest! |
General Rosecrans - Key Union Commander in NW Missouri Operations During the War Between the States |
General Sterling Price - Confederate Commander and home-town favorite, led many successful raids and battles throughout Missouri during the War Between The States. |
DAVID RICE ATCHISON (1807-1886) There has been more than one David Rice Atchison.
There are three small stones in the Green Lawn Cemetery with that name all located
in the Atchison-Allen family lot. One for a child named David Rice Atchison
that died at the age of three. Another, with the same name, with the date of birth
as 1840 & death in 1904. It may be for the David Rice Atchison who lived
in Plattsburg and was elected as an Associate County Judge in 1894 and 1896 and elected
Presiding Judge in 1898, which was two years after Sen. Atchison died. Then, of
course, the one for Senator Atchison. He was born in Frogtown, KY on August
11, 1807 and died at his farm home in Clinton County on January 26, 1886.
There is one large stone in the middle of the lot with a great number of small
stones surrounding it - all the same size - about 15" high and a little over
12" wide. Very unpretentious for such a great statesman. David Rice Atchison of Plattsburg was President for a Day. You can read about on this page David Rice Atchison |
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Plattsburg, MOVisit the Plattsburg, MO web site Plattsburg MO Chamber of CommerceThe Chamber of Commerce is open Monday thru Friday from 9:00am to 12:00 pm, it is located at 101 S. Main Street, Plattsburg, MO. Right next to the old hotel. They hope to see you there, mention you saw them on the web and get a free "Good Morning!" For further info on the city, county, events, or historical information please call (816) 539-2649. |
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updated June 11, 2013
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web page by Emmett Mason