Montgomery County Historical Society Montgomery County Historical Society
Dedicated to preserving and perpetuating the rich local history of the Montgomery County, Missouri area.


     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. 

Home page articles are archived to Misc.History Articles and
Rhineland Germans Articles all of which can be searched by keyword.


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. 
 
The effort culminated in an excellent article, explaining many historical facts about German emigrants and how Johann avoided military service by emigrating to the USA. This motivator is often a supposition, but here we have documentation! The original illustrated in color article in German and a Google Translate version have been graciously shared by the author, Paul Gossens, who lives south of Wesel near the Rhine River. A translation of the "Judgement" is found here.
 
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.”
 
Articles about Prussian ancestors archived in Rhineland Germans.Articles             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:
Home page articles are archived under "Misc. Articles" in County History.          Return to Top of Page
 

The German School in Hermann

A volunteer found “lost” Montgomery County children on the 1880 census as “boarders at school” with a widow in Hermann. Another researcher of the “Rhineland Germans” suggested they were likely attending “The German School.” She shared an article from The Advertiser-Courier, dated 12 February 1990, by Ed Steinhardt. Click here for a transcription.

This article follows the school from 1867. If a reader can share historical details from earlier in time, we will happily publish. We are always grateful when researchers are willing to share their findings with our website visitors!

 

Articles about Prussian ancestors archived in Rhineland Germans.Articles          Return to Top of Page


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.
Home page articles are archived under "Misc. Articles" in County History.          Return to Top of Page
 

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”Prussian King Crown
  • 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
These cold facts are personalized by an article (written by a German, circa 1950) that references letters home from a settler in Hermann, Missouri in 1851-52.  The reader can learn first-hand what rural Missouri life was like in the 1850’s. The immigrant’s enthusiasm for America also illustrates the academic term “chain migration.” He writes to his brother in Prussia: But if you are not willing to come, then stay in the land of the slaves, and slave yourself as long as you can.
 
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.
 
Articles about Prussian ancestors archived in Rhineland Germans.Articles                    Return to Top of Page
 

March 23
MCHS Board Meeting
The MCHS Board meets monthly on the fourth Saturday at the MCHS building.

April 27
MCHS Annual Board Meeting
The MCHS Board meets monthly on the fourth Saturday at the MCHS building.

April 28
Annual Dinner & Speaker
Pork Loin Dinner, $15 each, must RSVP by 4/16 Speaker TBD

May 12
Happy Mothers Day!
Heartwarming and funny quotes here.

May 25
MCHS Board Meeting
The MCHS Board meets monthly on the fourth Saturday at the MCHS building.