PCGS - Meeting Minutes

The Pike County Genealogical Society gathered for their annual Christmas party Dec. 4, at 1:30 p.m.

Members enjoyed the food, festive decorations, and lots of chatter about the up and coming holidays.

There is a great possibility the society has solved the mystery of the St. Peter's Cemetery. This cemetery is located on county road 9122 off of Highway YY. This area use to be known as Little Africa. It had a schoolhouse and a church for the local residences. It was known as St. Peters Cemetery by funeral home records and death certificates of those buried there. It is also known as the Jackson Cemetery. According to the inscription of this cemetery there were over 60 field rocks or markers with no names, in rows just north of the Jackson readable stones. In 1987 the Jackson stone and remains were removed and taken to the Riverview Cemetery, as understood according to some members of the Mallory, Jackson, Carter, Bell, Howard, Harris, Blackwell, McCarty, Robinson, Anderson, and Bryant families. This area is part Peno Township, and part Buffalo Township. Oscar Mallory owned the land where the schoolhouse sat. Jackson Harris owned the property where the cemetery sat. James McCarty owned the land where the church sat.

The cemetery project has slowed because of the winter weather but Mount Pleasant is an ongoing work in progress. There are those still cutting brush for fire wood there in order to make way for the spring time clean up. Since it was a church cemetery there are a lot of burials there and the size of this cemetery is far greater than a small family cemetery. So with time and lots of effort this job will be accomplished. Anyone interested in helping can contact Audrey Jones (573) 470-9880. The society will pick the schedule back up in the spring. They are also looking to have a sign made to mark the whereabouts of the cemetery.

It has been a great year for the society with all the new research material gathered and being gathered to help make the little library a great place to stop by and enjoy the search for family history. The society has a great bunch of volunteers dedicated in keeping the library alive and active. It is a living tribute to all of those great researchers who have gone before us but who had a vision and a love of family and the love of helping others find their family roots here in Pike County.

Members of the Pike County Genealogical Society would like to wish everyone a happy holiday and a happy New Year.

The Pike County Genealogical Society gathered for their monthly meeting Nov. 6 at 1:30 p.m. The meeting was called to order
by president Dorothy McCarthy. There were 11 members present.

The Pioneer Cemetery project was the lead topic. Dorothy told of the work day Oct. 20 on Mount Pleasant Cemetery. It's an ongoing project because of the size of the cemetery. So there will be people out there working off and on until weather no longer permits. The cemetery is one of the largest pioneer cemeteries the society will be cleaning. Dorothy told of the hard work put into the day and how much was accomplished. The cemetery project is still in need of some equipment, so if anyone
would like to donate funds it would be well appreciated. Funding is a great part of getting any project done, but in this case, having the hands to help is more important. So please contact the group if interested in helping.

The society is looking into filling the records of the local funeral homes in the area. The society appreciates those cooperating as the group has a very good research collection. The project is an ongoing one also. The obituary project is almost complete; the society now has Bowling Green Times from 1903-1920 on CD. They also have the Sterne's Funeral Home from 1889 to 1904 all on CD. The society is also putting them into book form for easier access, thanks to Harriet Worrell.

The society received a copy of the Hostetter Family History Book donated by Patricia Devoti. The book will be online on the website. Also the pictures in the book Bertha Marshall donated will also be online on the website.

The society is still working on that mystery. This one is a cemetery used in the early 1900s by the Haley Funeral Home in
Louisiana. It was a black cemetery and the name of it was called St. Peter's Cemetery. The society would appreciate anyone with an idea to notify the newspapers or any society member. People can also go to www.pcgenweb.com and e-mail Audrey Jones or Rhonda. Phone numbers are also on the website.

Dec. 4 is the annual Christmas party, so people can drop in and have some fun and food with the society.

The Pike County Genealogical Society gathered for their monthly meeting October 2, 2007 at 1:30 p.m. The meeting was called to order by President Dorothy McCarthy. There were 14 members present and 1 guest.

Secretary Sharon Coose and Treasurer Audrey Jones' reports were read and accepted as read.

The Pioneer Cemetery project was our lead topic. With the approaching of cooler weather the project is in full swing. September 22 was set for Draper Cemetery in Ashley Mo. The local church served lunch to those who came out to help.

Oak Grove Church celebrated their 150 years. Members of the society attended the program on the history of the church and toured the cemetery. The celebration was held September 30 at 1:30p.m.

October 20, 2007 is our next cemetery clean up day. This one is Mount Pleasant cemetery south of Frankford near county road 55. We will start weather permitting at 8:00 a.m. This is a large cemetery and lots of brush and tree trimming so the more the merrier in helping out. We will meet at the library for those who do not know the way. The cemetery project has received funds for our efforts and those funds will go into materials to kill trees and weeds. And promises of more private funds coming. We thank you very much for caring! But our most prized efforts are not the funds it's those who are willing to come out and lend a helping hand. It is very much appreciated and most rewarding. Sometimes our ideas and thoughts tend to be blown out of the water by attitudes and harsh words, but when you see those who really care show up to help or give in other ways towards the projects, it really makes it all worth while. Thank you very much!

We are looking into filling our records of the local funeral homes in the area. Thanks to those cooperating we will have a very good research collection. Those already collected are the Haley Funeral Home, Elmore, Bankheads, and Kirks Funeral Chapel. The late Harold Kirks was very interested in Pike Co. History and saw to it when possible to keep us updated for future references. We are in hopes in finishing what he started. Thanks to those willing to share what they can. Thanks go to John and Cathy Veach who are also lending a helping hand to our efforts. Our newest collection is Sterne's funeral Home from 1889 to 1904 all on CD. Thanks to Bill Sterne and Nancy Stout.

The society received a copy of the Hostetter Family History Book donated by Patricia Devoti. We also received a large picture album from Bertha Marshall. Two Oak Grove History program books by Mae Dameron and Audrey Jones. A Siloam Cemetery book by Lori Coates. Bowling Green Class photos from Gail Leonard.

The society is still working on that Mystery! This one is a cemetery used in the early 1900's by the Haley Funeral Home in Louisiana, Mo. It was a black cemetery and the name of it was called St. Peter's Cemetery. We would appreciate anyone with an idea to please notify the newspapers or any society member. You can also go to www.pcgenweb.com and email Audrey Jones or Rhonda. Phone numbers are also on the website. Thanks!

Our Piker mystery has been solved. Thanks to Marilyn Moore and "People, Places and Pikers".

The Piker ancestry descended of Kentuckian, Virginian, and the Carolinas. They were our pioneers, a new type of breed, character, and dialect, specifically called "The Piker". The Piker was rowdy, a bully, tough, rough, naive, greenhorn, independent, full of spit and vinegar (heavy on the spit part), hard core, shoot from the hip, speak the mind. He showed little respect of other's rights and anything citified wasn't trustworthy. A rural, down to earth soul. Their demeanor came from their rural but tough environment, and their hopes of something greater. The first to cross the plains, came from Pike County MO.

Mark Twain captured the true Piker dialect in his novels. The use of double negatives were unheard of until Twain pointed them out to the world. H. L. Meneken, wrote volumes of "The American Language" stating "the term Piker meant a yokel from Pike County Missouri, then in the 1800's the common symbol of everything poverty stricken and uncouth." The Piker was a true pioneer his notoriety never wavered across the U.S., or during the Gold Rush, and after the Civil War.

People, Places and Pikers, a book written in the 70's, states: " The Piker was tough enough to dare the impossible and they were wise enough to laugh at and about themselves." Which in turn gave them the arrogances and strengths others saw within their character.

October schedule for Library:
11th Mae Dameron
13th Claudia Wells
18th Floyd Colbert
20th Sharon Coose
25th Nina Peden
27th Judy Wells
November
1st Sharon Coose
3rd Dorothy McCarthy

The Pike County Genealogical Society gathered for their monthly meeting September 4, 2007 at 1:30 p.m. The meeting was called to order by President Dorothy McCarthy. There were 13 members present.

The by laws changes were handed out to the members present and Dorothy McCarthy asked if the were any questions. Dorothy told of one of the articles about officers and how we needed to have five instead of four. After discussion Dorothy made her additions. She asked if there were any other questions, No questions were asked and they stood as they are.

Members made their plans for Heritage Days with an open house for the library with refreshments offered. The library would remain open all day.

The Pioneer Cemetery project was brought up. With the approaching of cooler weather the project is in full swing again. September 22 is the date set for Draper Cemetery in Ashley Mo. The local church is volunteering to serve lunch to those who want to come out and help. It's a small cemetery but needs lots of love. We will begin at 9: 00 a.m. Those who do not know where it is just meet at downtown Ashley and someone will help you find the way. Turn right off 161 at Jct. Z. go one block and you are downtown Ashley.

October 20, 2007 is our next cemetery clean up day. This one is Mount Pleasant cemetery south of Frankford near county road 55. We will start weather permitting at 8:30 a.m. This is a large cemetery and lots of brush and tree trimming so the more the merrier in helping out. We will meet at the library for those who do not know the way. The library project has received funds for our efforts and those funds will go into materials to kill trees and weeds. And promises of more private funds coming. We thank you very much for caring! But our most prized efforts are not the funds it's those who are willing to come out and lend a helping hand. It is very much appreciated and most rewarding. Sometimes our ideas and thoughts tend to be blown out of the water by attitudes and harsh words, but when you see those who really care show up to help or give in other ways towards the projects, it really makes it all worth while. Thank you very much!

Thanks to Dorothy McCarthy the society has a very good copy of the newspaper dedicated to the building and dedication of the Champ Clark Bridge. It's been put into plastic sheet protectors and made into a booklet. It's very interesting come and check it out for yourself!

The society is still working on that Mystery! This one is a cemetery used in the early 1900's by the Haley Funeral Home in Louisiana, Mo. It was a black cemetery and the name of it was called St. Peter's Cemetery. The mystery is where is it? We have family members researching family buried there. We would appreciate anyone with an idea to please notify the newspapers or any society member. You can also go to www.pcgenweb.com and email Audrey Jones or Rhonda. Phone numbers are also on the website. Thanks!

Help us to come up with the answer to the following, we need your input if you have done research in Pike.

I received the following email from a lady with a very good question. I thought I would share it with all of Pike County. Maybe someone out there can give the answer! Once again you can phone or write to the society with your answers. Thanks Pikers!!

Some ideas to the above mystery. Could it be that some were Scot-Irish who were headstrong in their search for something of their own and became arrogant in trying? Those who came were already frontiersmen and women from ole Kaintuck!! Indian fighters, hunters, trappers, and experienced pioneers which gave them stature. Any other ideas are welcome!

There are those of you who read this article every month and I have received many ideas and great words of encouragements from it. "Wow you are very busy!" "You seem to be doing something all the time!" Frankly yes we are busy and yes we do seem to be doing something all the time. If we do not keep busy and continue on, those history items will be lost. We are very lucky to have such a wide range of history in this county. Our small library plans to collect and preserve as much as possible, which means it's an ongoing job. We have a great set of volunteers dedicated to do that. And we plan to keep you informed and involved as much as possible. If you see something you like let a member know about it. If you have input on history in Pike Co. let a member know about it. And I want to say Thank You to all of you who have given us a location of a cemetery in this county. Keep it up for we may not have it on our map and we do appreciate your efforts in helping us!

September schedule for Library:
20th Phyllis Hunter
22nd Sharon Coose
27th Pat Lynn
29th Mae Dameron

The Pike County Genealogical Society gathered for their monthly meeting August 7, 2007 at 1:30 p.m. The meeting was called to order by President Dorothy McCarthy. There were 13 members and 1 guest present.

The minutes of the July 2007 meeting were read by Sharon Coose Secretary. Audrey Jones gave her treasurer report. Both were accepted as read.

The by laws committee met before the meeting to make changes to our by laws. Dorothy McCarthy read to the members the changes.

The newsletter workday was added to the monthly schedule the committee agreed on August 25, 2007 at nine a.m.

Audrey Jones spoke of the work Bowen Rogers did on the property records of the Bowling Green City Cemetery. He has copies of the records of land making up the cemetery. He gave Audrey copies and she is making copies for the city cemetery book. Audrey asked for a motion to accept those pages being added to Donna's work.

The cemetery project has slowed down because of temperatures. They plan to do one cemetery in September and the Mount Pleasant Cemetery around the first of October.

Donations were: Pa. Mennoite Book by Claudia Wells; Dupont Powder Plant and Misc. Photos put together by Audrey Jones and old Newspapers by Pat Lynn. Elizabeth McConnell gave us Scots Colonists of America, World Book of McConnells, McConnell families of Davidson Creek Settlement Iredall N.C. 1748-1982; Scotland of Old; Scots by John McConnell; and Local immigration. Phyllis Hunter gave The Reese family group sheets.

Dorothy also brought up future plans to preserve the memorial newspaper honoring the building of the Champ Clark Bridge.

Harriet Worrell spoke of someone needing someone to go to the Riverview Cemetery and looking at graves of the Frank and Mary Boehm children buried there. They are in the first section of the cemetery.

Heritage Days will be coming up 8/9 of September. The Pike County Genealogical Society will not have a booth this year but will have their library open for anyone wanting to purchase books and to do research. Please stop by and chat!!

Once again, Pike County, the society is working on a Mystery! This one is a cemetery used in the early 1900's by the Haley Funeral Home in Louisiana, Mo. It was a black cemetery and the name of it was called St. Peter's Cemetery. The mystery is where is it? We have family members researching family buried there. We would appreciate anyone with an idea to please notify the newspapers or any society member. You can also go to www.pcgenweb.com and email Audrey Jones or Rhonda. Phone numbers are also on the website.

August schedule for Library:
23rd Nina Peden
25th Audrey Jones
30th Phyllis Hunter/Mae Dameron
1st Dorothy McCarthy

The Pike County Genealogical Society gathered for their monthly meeting July 3 at 1:30 p.m. The meeting was called to order by president Dorothy McCarthy. There were 13 members present.

Minutes of the June 2007 meeting were read by Audrey Jones for the absent secretary Sharon Coose. They were accepted as read. Judy Wells gave the treasurer's report. It was accepted as read.

Judy Wells asked the members about the annual registration with the state. It was discussed and Audrey Jones agreed to become the new agent of registration.

Next, the members elected their new officers. Those elected and reelected were president, Dorothy McCarthy; vice president, Willard Moore; secretary, Sharon Coose; and treasurer, Audrey Jones. During the elections a discussion came about on the by-laws by which the club does business. Judy Wells suggested that the membership review the bylaws. Judy made a motion to have a committee review and change what needed to be changed in the by-laws. The by-laws had not been reviewed since the club began. Audrey Jones seconded the motion, president Dorothy McCarthy appointed committee members. They are Harriet Worrell, Judy Wells, Pat Lynn and Dorothy McCarthy. The committee will meet 12:30 p.m. on the day of the next meeting to make changes.

Audrey Jones told of the new list of additions and corrections to the Old Bethlehem Cemetery records, sent to the club by an email. Pat Lynn copied it and it will be added to the book. Rhonda will also add these corrections and additions to the website.

Audrey gave an update to the members about the cemetery project. Dorothy McCarthy mentioned the Shotwell cemetery day and read to the membership a thank you from owner Pauline Gibbs. Audrey mentioned the efforts by Gail Leonard and others on the Gillum Cemetery north of Louisville. Harriet Worrell spoke of the Rudd Cemetery and final touches being done there soon.

A letter to the editor from a lady in Virginia was read to the members. She was very grateful to the library and all its resources for a productive day in finding answers to her family history.

Harriet and Dorothy told of their two days with a Mrs. Smith from Indiana. She also was very grateful to the library for its great resources and to Harriet who took her around to cemeteries and to Dorothy and Harriet for having the library open during nonappointed hours.

Donations: Betty's books and file of newsletters, and Claudia Wells with the Missouri Gen. Journal.

A motion to adjourn was made by Mae Dameron and seconded by Margie Smith. The meeting was adjourned at 2:30 p.m.

July schedule for Library:
19, Harriet Worrell;
21, Sharon Coose;
26, Mae Dameron;
28, Audrey Jones;
Aug. 2, Judy Wells;
Aug. 4, Dorothy McCarthy.

Members attending were Audrey Jones, Pat Lynn, Judy Wells, Phyllis Hunter, Dorothy McCarthy, Claudia Wells, Harriet Worrell, Gladys Jones, Gail Leonard, Margie Smith, George Giles, Floyd Colbert and Mae Dameron

The Pike County Genealogical Society gathered for their monthly meeting June 5, 2007 at 1:30 p.m. The meeting was called to order by President Dorothy McCarthy. There were 15 members.

The minutes of the May 2007 meeting were not read because of the absence of secretary Sharon Coose.

Judy Wells gave her treasurer report. A motion was made to accept the report by Audrey Jones and second by Mae Dameron.

Audrey asked if there were any volunteers available for June 18th and 19th. There was a lady coming from Indiana to do research both days and wanted to know if we could be open for her. Harriet Worrell and Dorothy McCarthy volunteered.

There was old business to report on. Dorothy spoke of the article in the Bowling Green Times written by Nathan Lilley about the Cemetery group cleaning cemeteries in Pike County. Audrey Jones informed the members of the meeting on Thursday May 31st and told what the agenda was for the cemeteries being done. As of June 16, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. the group is going to the Shotwell Cemetery on Pauline Gibbs farm to clean and paint the fence and whatever else it needs done. Audrey mentioned the cemeteries on the 2007 list to the members Draper, Old Ashley, Mount Pleasant, Shotwell, and the one on the Randy Dempsey farm (later in the fall). She also mentioned they have the 2008 list started with Rudd Cemetery, Vannoy, and Henton.

Dorothy then brought the discussion to the elections of 2007 for the next meeting. She mentioned that she was renewing her office of presidency, Willard Moore said he would renew his office of Vice President for another year, Dorothy told the members that Sharon said she would renew her office of secretary for another year. Dorothy then asked for a nomination for the office of treasurer which would be open because Judy Wells had held the office for the time period allowed. Dorothy nominated Audrey Jones and waited for other nominations. None were given, Judy Wells made the motion to accept Audrey Jones and Phyllis Hunter seconded the nomination.

Dorothy read to us the mail. We received newsletters from: Lincoln Co., St. Louis, Mo. State, and St. Charles. She told us of the Mo. State Genealogical Association's brochures we have. She showed us the essays that Karen Tyler donated on the Scroggins and Love families, which will be put into the surname files. We bought the Vol. VI and Vol. VII deaths in Pike Co. by Kenneth Weant. Cindy Chambers donated family history on the James Hall family she is also a new member.

The members were presented a program on how to use the imager and where to find the obituaries on the computer. The program was given by Audrey Jones. To make things easier there are instructions on the wall on how to use the imager in order to print from microfiche.

A motion was made to adjourn by Audrey Jones seconded by Harriet Worrell. The meeting was adjourned at 2:15 p.m.

June schedule for Library:
7th Harrett Worrell 9th Dorothy McCarthy
14th Willard Moore 16th Mae Dameron
21st Sharon Coose 23rd Pat Lynn
28th Mae Dameron 30th Audrey Jones

Don't forget visiting our website: www.pcgenweb.com we love to have visitors. Thanks! Rhonda.

The society receives letters from a people searching their family history. These letters are for all of us who preserve Pike's history. We are very happy when visitors to the library find facts, and history to back up their family search it is so rewarding to help out but even more rewarding to see the smile and joy that comes in finding your family. Thanks to all who come to Pike County in search of their loved ones who once created an adventure here.

The Pike County Genealogical Society gathered for their monthly meeting April 3, 2007 at 1:30 p.m. The meeting was called to order by President Dorothy McCarthy. There were 11 members and 1 guest present.

The minutes of the March 2007 meeting were not read. Because of the absence of secretary Sharon Coose.

Judy Wells gave her treasurer report. Our balance as of April 03, 2007 was $10, 014.68. A motion was made to accept the report by Audrey Jones and second by Harriet Worrell.

Audrey told the members about Barry's web page on cemeteries in Pike County. www.iowaz.info/mopike/ he has pictures and a great narrative section. He also has plat maps of the areas.

There was old business to report on. Judy gave her new findings on becoming tax exempt. She is going to fill out new forms with a lot less pages and questions and send it in. She told of her purchases of sheet protectors, file folders, copier cartridges, and checks. Nina showed Judy we had checks so now we have more checks. That's ok!

Audrey Jones presented to the members the cemetery map Jack McCarthy had started, with the help of Mr. and Mrs. Lyndel Thompson, Audrey Jones, and Barry Zabornik, Bowen Rogers and others we are well on our way to having a good resource on locating cemeteries in Pike County.

Claudia Wells was concerned about the 1973 obits they seem to be incomplete and she was checking into that for us.

Audrey showed the members the new CD cases she purchased for the obituary project. She has some already indexed and on CD's and others on CD's but yet to be indexed.

Audrey told the members about a Beginner's program she was to be speaker of for a women's club in Clarksville on May 7, 2007. Holly Mabry is the person who contacted her. There would be more details later.

Nathan at the Bowling Green Times is wanting stories on Pike County Pioneers who were connected to famous people. Audrey is sending him the Ernest Hemmingway connection donated to the library.

Those books donated were: Foothills Genealogy Society by Dell Rice and Mo. State Genealogical Journal by Claudia Wells.

Members attending: Audrey Jones, Pat Lynn, Judy Wells, Phyllis Hunter, Dorothy McCarthy, Nina Peden, Claudia Wells, Harriet Worrell, Barry Zabornik, Jim, Judy Bartledge, Karen Henderson. One visitor: Colin Murphy.