Welcome to the Cooper County, Missouri
Genealogical Web Site
Biographical Sketches

Provided in this option are biographical sketches of Cooper Countians taken from "History of Cooper County" by W. F. Johnson; "History of Cooper County" by E. J. Melton; and from other biographical histories of Cooper County and surrounding areas.

Memorabilia of Cooper County was compiled and written by its' patrons and published by Curtis Media. Curtis Media owned the copyright on this published. However, Curtis Media is now a defunct corporation. The assets of Curtis Media, including copyrights, were sold to an individual. That person's prime interest was in the sale of the remaining book inventory. He has allowed the transcribing and online posting of the Memorabilia of Cooper County, Missouri on this website. The provisos are that there is no charge for view and use of the book; and that it not be downloaded from this website.
Memorabilia of Cooper County as pdf Memorabilia of Cooper County, Missouri, 2020 PDF Edition
 
 
A History of Cooper County, Missouri, From the first visit by White Men, in February, 1804 to the 5th day of July, 1876. Written by Henry C. Levens and Nathaniel M. Drake and published in 1876; this is the first history of Cooper County, Missouri.
Levens and Drake pp 7-59 Levens and Drake - Pages 007 through 059
Levens and Drake pp 60-112 Levens and Drake - Pages 060 through 112
Levens and Drake pp 113-165 Levens and Drake - Pages 113 through 165
Levens and Drake pp 166-218 Levens and Drake - Pages 166 through 218
 
 
A collection of biographical sketches from the "1883 History of Howard and Cooper County". This history is the second history ever written on the county. The non biographical section of this history compares original work with previously published material.  Due to the large potential file sizes, the sketches have been broken down into a series of selections based on the township of the person.   Enjoy!
History of Howard and Cooper Counties History of Howard and Cooper Counties Volume II Part A
History of Howard and Cooper Counties History of Howard and Cooper Counties Volume 2 Part B
History of Howard and Cooper Counties History of Howard and Cooper Counties Volume 2 Part C
History of Howard and Cooper Counties History of Howard and Cooper Counties Volume 2 Part D
History of Howard and Cooper Counties History of Howard and Cooper Counties Volume 2 Part E
History of Howard and Cooper Counties History of Howard and Cooper Counties Volume 2 Part F
Boonville Township Part A Boonville Township Part A
Boonville Township Part B Boonville Township Part B
Blackwater Township Blackwater Township
Clarks Fork Township Clarks Fork Township
Clear Creek Township Clear Creek Township
Kelly Township Kelly Township
Lamine Township Lamine Township
Lebanon Township Lebanon Township
Moniteau Township Moniteau Township
Otterville Township Otterville Township
Palestine Township Palestine Township
Pilot Grove Township Pilot Grove Township
Prairie Home Township Prairie Home Township
Saline Township Saline Township
 
 
History of Cooper County Missouri by W. F. Johnson. Published in 1919, this was the third history of Cooper County, Missouri. With the exception of the biographical sketches, it "borrows" most of the remainder of its material from Levens and Drake and 1883 histories of the county. These biographical sketches were contributed by our users.   Due to the large potential file sizes, the sketches have been broken down into a series of page sequences based on the page numbers of the original book.
Johnson's History Page 33 to 49 Johnson's History Page 33 to 49
Johnson's History Page 50 to 99 Johnson's History Page 50 to 99
Johnson's History Page 100 to 149 Johnson's History Page 100 to 149
Johnson's History Page 150 to 199 Johnson's History Page 150 to 199
Johnson's History Page 200 to 249 Johnson's History Page 200 to 249
Johnson's History Page 250 to 299 Johnson's History Page 250 to 299
Johnson's History Page 300 to 353 Johnson's History Page 300 to 353
Johnson's History Page 354 to 401 Johnson's Biographical Sketches Page 354 to 401
Johnson's History Page 401 to 450 Johnson's Biographical Sketches Page 401 to 450
Johnson's History Page 450 to 499 Johnson's Biographical Sketches Page 450 to 499
Johnson's History Page 499 to 550 Johnson's Biographical Sketches Page 499 to 550
Johnson's History Page 550 to 600 Johnson's Biographical Sketches Page 550 to 600
Johnson's History Page 600 to 650 Johnson's Biographical Sketches Page 600 to 650
Johnson's History Page 650 to 700 Johnson's Biographical Sketches Page 650 to 700
Johnson's History Page 700 to 751 Johnson's Biographical Sketches Page 700 to 751
Johnson's History Page 751 to 800 Johnson's Biographical Sketches Page 751 to 800
Johnson's History Page 800 to 850 Johnson's Biographical Sketches Page 800 to 850
Johnson's History Page 850 to 900 Johnson's Biographical Sketches Page 850 to 900
Johnson's History Page 900 to 949 Johnson's Biographical Sketches Page 900 to 949
Johnson's History Page 950 to 1000 Johnson's Biographical Sketches Page 950 to 1000
Johnson's History Page 1000 to 1050 Johnson's Biographical Sketches Page 1000 to 1050
Johnson's History Page 1050 to 1100 Johnson's Biographical Sketches Page 1050 to 1100
Johnson's History Page 1100 to 1167 Johnson's Biographical Sketches Page 1100 to 1167
 
 
Home Town Sketches by Emile R. Paillou. This book was published in 1926 and is a collection of stories or reminiscences about the people of Boonville, Missouri. These stories cover the childhood of Emile Paillou and cover the 1870 - 1880 timeframe with some stories slopping over into the 1890s. You may have heard some of these tales before and never suspected that Mr. Paillou was the author. Have Fun!.
Home Town Sketches Pages 001 through 100 Home Town Sketches Pages 001 through 100
Home Town Sketches Pages 101 through 200 Home_Town Sketches Pages 101 through 200
Home Town Sketches Pages 201 through 300 Home_Town Sketches Pages 201 through 300
Home Town Sketches Pages 301 through 328 Home_Town Sketches Pages 301 through 328
 
 

A collection of biographical sketches from E. J. Melton's "History of Cooper County Missouri".  These sketches were contributed by our users.  If you wish to contribute a sketch please send it to the "webmaster" via e-mail or e-mail as an attached word processing document.   Following is the start of making all of this interesting history available to you. It will be chapter by chapter so - be patient.
Chapter 01: The Pale Face Peers Into the Indian's Eden Chapter 01: The Pale Face Peers Into the Indian's Eden
Chapter 02: Trappers and Traders Blaze Lonely Trails Chapter 02: Trappers and Traders Blaze Lonely Trails
Chapter 03: Indian Horse Thieves Ambush Their Pursuers Chapter 03: Indian Horse Thieves Ambush Their Pursuers
Chapter 04: The Stage is Set for a Clash Between Races Chapter 04: The Stage is Set for a Clash Between Races
Chapter 05: The Settlers Win a 3-Year Bloody Battle Chapter 05: The Settlers Win a 3-Year Bloody Battle
Chapter 06: The Boonslick Country Becomes an Empire Chapter 06: The Boonslick Country Becomes an Empire
Chapter 09: Missouri Territory Becomes a Lusty State Chapter 09: Missouri Territory Becomes a Lusty State
Chapter 10: Two Forgotten Statesmen are Paid Homage Chapter 10: Two Forgotten Statesmen are Paid Homage
Chapter 11: Bold Adventure on River, Trail and Rail Chapter 11: Bold Adventure on River, Trail and Rail
Chapter 12: Benton and Vest Meet in Boonville in 1853 Chapter 12: Benton and Vest Meet in Boonville in 1853
Chapter 13: Events and Issues Leading to Civil War Chapter 13: Events and Issues Leading to Civil War
Chapter 26: The 88 Days Between Boonville Battles Chapter 26: The 88 Days Between Boonville Battles
Chapter 28: Boonville, Long a Leader in Commerce Chapter 28: Boonville, Long a Leader in Commerce
Chapter 40: Founding Families and Their Descendants Chapter 40: Founding Families and Their Descendants
Chapter 43: Cooper County's Illustrious Hall of Fame Chapter 43: Cooper County's Illustrious Hall of Fame
Individuals, Families and Institutions Individuals, Families and Institutions
 
 

A collection of biographical sketches Missouri, the Center State 1821-1915 Volume IV".  These sketches were contributed by our users.  If you wish to contribute a sketches please send it to the "webmaster" via e-mail or e-mail as an attached word processing document.
Missouri, the Center State 1821-1915 Volume IV Missouri, the Center State 1821-1915 Volume IV
 
 

A collection of biographical sketches from "History of Missouri 1889 Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton Counties, Missouri".  These sketches were contributed by our users.  If you wish to contribute a sketches please send it to the "webmaster" via e-mail or e-mail as an attached word processing document.
History of Missouri 1889 Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton Counties History of Missouri 1889 Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton Counties
 
 

Short synopis of the Gessley Family in Cooper County; contributed by family member.
Gessley Family in Cooper County Gessley Family in Cooper County
 
 

Yep, a short biography of Joseph H. Harlan of Cooper County.
Joseph H. Harlan Biography of Joseph H. Harlan
 
 

This is a history of the McCarty, Gibson, Muir, Mills, Jones and O'Meara families of Boonville.   Set in the timeframe of 1870 through 1920 it is also a social history of the time.   This is thoroughly enjoyable reading as written by William J. McCarty in November of 1936.
William J. McCarty Biography of the Family of William J. McCarty
 
 

This is the first five chapters of J. A. Quarles, D.D. "The Life of Prof. F. T. Kemper, A.M., The Christian Educator.
Frederick T. Kemper The Life of Professor Frederick T. Kemper - Part 1
 
 

This is chapters six through nine of J. A. Quarles, D.D. "The Life of Prof. F. T. Kemper, A.M., The Christian Educator.
Frederick T. Kemper The Life of Professor Frederick T. Kemper - Part 2
 
 

A history of the George Vandeveer Family, members of whom lived in North Carolina, Kentucky, Missouri, and Texas. Cooper County members of the Vandeveer linage include the Hurd and McGuire families. The bulk of this story includes the very, very, very interesting life of Logan Vandeveer (phonetically spelled Vandiver).
Logan Vandeveer They Met Their Fate on a Louisiana Cattle Driver
 
 

The Boonville McDearmons; H.E.W. McDearmon, The Civil War Mayor
McDearmon HEW McDearmon
 
 

This is a May 6, 1910 article from the Boonville Weekly Advertiser. It is about, how shall we say it, a coming out party.
A Baby Show A Baby Show
 
 

This is a set of short biographies of people who did not make it into previous biographical histories. Please feel free to se me others
Famous and not so Famous The Famous and Not So Famous
 
 

A fairly lengthly biography of John Dickson Stephens born 23 Sep 1826 on the spot of the present town of Boonville. A very readable biography even if you are not related to the Stephens. The tales of early days are intriguing.
John Dickson Stephens The Life of John Dickson Stephens
 
 

A biography of the life of Josiah Dickson as written by his son, John Dickson. He led a life that was more interesting that most of us could possibly achieve..
John Dickson Stephens The Life of Josiah Dickson
 
 

A biography of the life of Major Stephen Cooper. Stephen Cooper, the father of Sarshall Cooper died in California after living an action filled life.
Major Stephen Cooper The Life of Major Stephen Cooper
 
 
We are deeply indebted to Mae Bruce for these three scrapbooks of newspaper clippings saved through the years by Josephine Coffman of Wooldridge, Mo. Most of the clippings had no identification on them as to which newspaper they came out of or the date they were published. We can assume that most of these clippings came from the Boonville, Mo and California, Mo newspapers. The clippings cover a timeframe from early 1930’s to 1990’s.
Index to the Josephine Coffman Scrapbooks Index to the Josephine Coffman Scrapbooks
 
 

You may not have the time for your genealogical research any more but, because you may roots in Sonnefeld, I thought you may like to know that the English translation of the Genealogie magazine's 1972 article about the Hummel family of Sonnefeld, the famous potters who have absolutely nothing to do with those even more famous Hummel figurines (drat). "Blind" Jackl Hummel (1687-1760), was a member of this family. Sonnefeld is a small town so, if you trace your own lines far enough, you may find the Hummel potters in your own family. I hope that you can open and read the attachment. The first half is the original German version; the other half is the English translation.

Many of the early German potters who worked in the pottery shops of Boonville and Cooper County can trace their roots to a radius of 5 - 10 kilometers from Sonnefeld, Germany. They left Germany and used their skills here in Cooper County, Missouri. Thanks to Wilbur Hanson Kalb for the translation.
The Potters of Sonnefeld The Hummel Potters of Sonnefeld
 
 

This is likely a new discovery in the world of Daniel Boone's legacy. A short, but interesting read. Thanks to Cassie Hill for the submission.
Daniel Boone Letter A New Daniel Boone Letter


  
  

  
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