The Montgomery County Historical Society (MCHS) is a 501(c)(3) corporation. The Society owns two buildings in Montgomery City that house an extensive genealogical library and a museum of artifacts and antiques. All research requests replies, building staffing/maintenance and website management are donated by volunteers.
If you like what you find here, please become a member and/or make a donation to help us continue our mission. We also welcome contributions of your own research, be it family history or documented historical articles that would interest other visitors.
Pioneer Days, a 96-page illustrated history of the County, has been well-received by both those new to our history as well as long-time residents.
Time to Pay Annual Dues!
 MCHS is exploring bids to heat and air condition the buildings so the library and museum are accessible (i.e. comfortable) throughout the year. Temperature control will also help protect and preserve the many artifacts and books.
The Society's main source of income is from membership dues and donations. Please be timely and generous to help MCHS preserve our history. Membership Application. We have been blessed with contributions from families honoring the founding members and thank them for their ongoing support. We remember MCHS founders with gratitude for their hard work and dedication.
Click here for the annual mailing and details about the presentation on 28 April. Return to Top of Page Bygone Towns
This list is copied from a RootsWeb site called "Ghost Towns." It describes several locations in Montgomery County that are long gone, but not forgotten. Related resources include:
Johann Bockting: A German Emigrant
 Last year, MCHS received a query from a German researcher about Johann Bockting who emigrated about 1851. A MCHS volunteer shared what we could find from local and online resources. He married Elizabeth Wickers at St. Martin’s in 1855. Johann, his wife and a daughter were buried at Starkenburg.
Mr. Gossens' original question was the location of the residence of Johann Bockting, which we were unable to answer. If any reader has information to share with our German colleague, please email webmaster@mchsco.org, so we Americans can “return the favor.”
County Officials
Thanks to volunteers for compiling extensive lists of Montgomery County Officials. Most lists are scanned and found under Museum & Library > Research Documents > County Officials. Some include short bios.
Prussian Immigrants & Letters Home
Much has been written to answer “Why emigrate from Germany?” The common reply is “avoidance of military conscription,” but that is far too simplistic. Recall that the first arrival of Nordrhein-Westfalen immigrants into Loutre was in 1845. More appropriate responses to “Why?” include these historical facts, further explained in Modern Prussian History:
- Population growth in Prussia (58% between 1816 and 1849); recall there was no “Germany” until 1871 (1850 map)
- Bad weather and crop failures; 1845-47 are called “the hunger years”
- Industrialization and cheap British imports replaced the handicraft home-based production; impoverishing the weavers in Nordrhein-Westfalen
- Conflicts regarding land use; aristocratic and bourgeoisie ownership
- Mass poverty and “pauperism” due to all of the above
- Disenchantment with the promised reforms of Frederick Wilhelm IV, King of Prussia, whose reign began in 1840
If such "personalized history" appeals to you, also consider Our Daily Bread, German Village LIfe by Teva Scheer, to better understand the challenges our ancestors faced and feel what it was like to live (and starve to death) in the German states prior to 1850.
Thanks to a member for sharing this article. If a reader has additional information regarding source or references, please share with the webmaster. If your personal files include such letters home (or similar treasures) please share a copy with MCHS.
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April 27
MCHS Annual Board Meeting
The MCHS Board meets monthly on the fourth Saturday at the MCHS building.
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April 28
Annual Dinner & Speaker
Pork Loin Dinner, $15 each, RSVP by 4/17 to Doug @ 573-564-3155 or Jamie @ 573-220-9252, Speaker John Robinson, author of "A Roat Trip into ...
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May 12
Happy Mothers Day!
Heartwarming and funny quotes here.
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May 25
MCHS Board Meeting
The MCHS Board meets monthly on the fourth Saturday at the MCHS building.
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May 27
Memorial Day
Click here for history of this holiday honoring military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
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