History
Sturgeon was born in 1856 on a site chosen because of the construction of the North Missouri Railroad (now the Norfolk Southern), and it took its name from Isaac Sturgeon, president and general superintendent of the North Missouri. The town's early growth was greatly influenced by the completion of that railroad and the traffic it handled. Sturgeon at one time became the largest St. Louis-bound shipping point.
Many early Sturgeon residents were of southern birth or heritage and were sympathetic to the Confederacy during the Civil War. Federal forces occupied the town and maintained a military post here during most of the war.
Growth resumed as Missourians returned to the peacetime pursuits of commerce and agriculture which long formed the economic base of today's attractive, peaceful community. In recent decades, the economy has been strengthened by growing numbers of residents who commute to work in nearby Centralia, Columbia, Mexico and Moberly and by retirees who enjoy the obvious advantages of small-town living.
Amish Neighbors
"STURGEON MISSOURI THEN AND NOW, 1856-1981"
In the fall of 1953, an Amish family moved onto a farm in the area just north of Sturgeon. By 1961, 40 Amish families had formed a sizable community of farms stretching north of Highway 22.
In the fall of 1953, an Amish family moved onto a farm in the area just north of Sturgeon. By 1961, 40 Amish families had formed a sizable community of farms stretching north of Highway 22.
Amish roots go back to the early pioneers in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Ohio, back to the Mennonites and the Brethern or the Anabaptists in Switzerland and the Netherlands in the 16th century, back to Alsace, Russia and southern Germany, to followers of Conrad Grebel, Huldreich Zwingli and Jacob Ammann.
Most of the Sturgeon families traced their direct ancestry to Iowa, Ohio, Indiana, Kansas and other central states. The congregation here is more conservative in its beliefs than some of the Amish, and deeply religious. Technically called "Old Order Amish", they are individualistic, self-sufficient, quick to help their needy, financially reliable.
The Clark Amish Community is one of Missouri’s largest Amish settlements. It has more than 195 families spread over more than 15 square miles. Stores are open Monday through Saturday, but closed Sundays and Christian Holidays. Amish have no electricity or phone lines so credit or debit cards are not accepted. Cash or good checks are welcome.
There are many homes selling sorghum, eggs, popcorn, candy and produce in season. Watch for signs posted to locate these places in additions to the locations on this map.
Remember, we share our roads with slow moving horse-drawn vehicles and horses are some-times frightened by automobiles. For everyone’s safety, please slow down!
The Amish do not wish to be photographed. Please honor their beliefs and refrain from taking photographs or using video cameras during your visit.
Like most home based businesses, public areas are limited. Please do not wander about or invade private areas. Parents should supervise their children at all times. Pets are not welcome. Please leave your pets at home to avoid problems with farm dogs, chickens and livestock.
Court of Common Pleas
"STURGEON MISSOURI THEN AND NOW, 1856-1981"
By an act of the Legislature approved January 10, 1860, a Court of Common Pleas was created to be held at Sturgeon. The first term convened July 16, 1860, and the first terms of Court were held in the Masonic Hall located over the Methodist Church.
Hon. Wm. A. Hall was the judge; J. T. Burnam, clerk; John R. Jacks, marshall. The first proceedings of any sort was the naturalization of Louis Burkeye as a citizen of the United States. The first civil action was on a promissory note -- 'Polly A. Fountain, plaintiff, vs. Housen Canada, James D. Patton and Archibald H. Wayne, defendants.
The jurisdiction of this court extended over portions of Boone, Audrain, Howard and Randolph counties. Its sessions were from two days to a week in length. No criminal cases were ever heard in this court. The court was abolished by the Legislature in 1949, but it had not functioned as a court since 1921.
When Thomas Carter was clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, the court reporter to Judge Waller was A. B. Chamier, father of Richard J. Chamier, associate judge of the Circuit Court of Randolph County.
Early Sturgeon
"STURGEON MISSOURI THEN AND NOW, 1856-1981"
Sturgeon owes its existence to a $6,000 deal with the railroad company.
(From 1956 Centennial Edition of Sturgeon Leader)
Many years ago a town called Buena Vista stood two miles west of the present site of Sturgeon. The place was also called Bourbonton. At one time it contained 150 inhabitants, with two stores, two blacksmith shops and a saloon. When it was determined that the North Missouri Railroad would run through the site where Sturgeon is now located and miss Buena Vista, Lemuel Dill, a noted housemover, started moving the houses to Sturgeon, using a huge wagon with oxen.
The town of Sturgeon was laid out in July and August 1856, by the Sturgeon Depot Co., whose trustees were John B. Smith, Henderson Davis, and James E. Hicks.
The site for Sturgeon was purchased from John Rochford (grandfather of Dr. A. R. McComas), N. B. Burks, and J. B. Smith.
Only a short distance away on the northwest was the town of Prairie City, but it was absorbed by Sturgeon after it was refused a depot by the railroad company.
John Rochford owned the principal portion of the land on which Sturgeon was laid out. He was an engineer and a contractor for the North Missouri Railroad Co., and built about 20 miles of the railroad in this vicinity.
Six pioneers in the early days including Rochford, Burks and Smith obligated themselves to pay the railroad company $6,000, contingent upon the location of the depot at this point. The following is a copy of the obligation:
We hereby obligate ourselves to pay to the North Missouri Railroad Co., three thousand dollars on the first day of August, 1857, provided said railroad company locate a depot on said railroad between Station No. 5772 and Station No. 5790, being on the east end of Section (referring to railroad sections) 129 and the west end of Section 128, west of Saling Town Creek, and further provided that no depot be located within five miles of this point. Given under our hands and seals this, the 3rd day of July, 1856
Signed: John Rochford, John B. Smith, Peter G. Booth, N. B. Burks, John M. Booth, and S. M. Riggs.
Signed: John Rochford, John B. Smith, Peter G. Booth, N. B. Burks, John M. Booth, and S. M. Riggs.