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.
MCHS Military Documents
This link to Documents for Download includes scanned copies of information found in the MCHS library. Information about the Civil War includes articles, assessment lists, a veteran’s list, etc. The section on World War I contains a photo and details about the 354th under which 75 Montgomery County residents serviced.
Please share any documents or links you may have to assist others in looking for their ancestors’ military history. Email to webmaster@mchsmo.org.
A Great Find - Free MO History Videos
- Crossroads of a Continent: Missouri Railroads, 1851-1921
- Along the Boone's Lick Road: Key Link to the West
- The 1849 Cholera Outbreak in Jefferson City
- Blood Feud on Bull Creek: The True and Complete Story of the Meadows-Bilyeu Feud
- The Missouri Home Guard: Protecting the Home Front during the Great War
- The History of Fort Leonard Wood
- Steamboat Disasters on the Lower Missouri
- Many, many, more!
Scout & Brownie Badges - Share Family History
Ever-so-often we receive an email from a Boy/Girl Scout thanking us  for helping with their Scout Genealogy Merit or Brownie My Family Story badge. If your child or grandchild has not earned this badge, please consider taking some time to share your family history and introduce the website resources.
Famous County Residents
Admittedly, our County is not very well known, but we do have some past residents worth “crowing about.” See the section on Families, Bios, Records and learn about:
- One of Missouri’s first State Supreme Court judges.
- Children’s book author and illustrator.
- Missouri pioneer who was a medical practitioner, writer and geologist.
- Director of Legislative Service for the Missouri Farm Bureau.
- Prohibition Party presidential candidate and college professor.
As always, we welcome any historical documents, etc. that you may wish to share!
Outrages & Terrors – the King Boys (1880)
During the Civil War, bushwhackers made Montgomery County a terrifying place, as shared by Riggs in his diary. A prime location for cutting railroad ties, the southern part of the County again found itself terrorized, this time by the itinerant laborers known as “tie hackers.” In 1880, the King brothers preyed upon the Germans in Loutre township. By self-admission, the German wine turned them vicious. A story of rape, murder, and general despicable behavior was followed by the newspapers of the time.
The story is summarized and enhanced with genealogy information in this article. It includes details about the main characters’ later lives. MCHS is grateful to the volunteer who shared background research and asks readers “What can you share?”
We are reminded of the concept that “history repeats itself” as it reads like a TV crime series. There was a political element due to an apparent rivalry to determine which party had the most criminal members. The Democrat reporter took delight in pointing out that the King’s were Republicans. Click here for the full article.
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.”
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January 25
MCHS Board Meeting
The MCHS Board meets monthly on the fourth Saturday at the MCHS building.
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February 22
MCHS Board Meeting
The MCHS Board meets monthly on the fourth Saturday at the MCHS building.
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March 6
RootsTech - Free!
200+ online sessions presented by Family Search
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March 20
Interesting Women of the Capital City
Click here for details. This presentations is likely available free online - Click here.
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March 22
MCHS Board Meeting
The MCHS Board meets monthly on the fourth Saturday at the MCHS building.
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