Sullivan County, Missouri – Brief History
~ Brief History~ as it applies to Coffman/Livingston research
| 1836 | First settlers were Dr. Jacob Holland and his son, Robert W. Holland on Main Locust creek near a point which was afterward called Scottsville.2 |
| 14 Feb 1845 | Until that date, Sullivan County was first known as Highland County. The county was named after James Sullivan, a member of the Continental Congress. County seat is Milan.1Another source says that Sullivan County was formed from Linn County and named for James Sullivan, a Revolutionary War general. Originally defined by the Legislature as Highland County on February 17, 1843, the name was changed upon actual organization.6 |
| 8 Aug 1855 | Jackson Township (Pollock is located here.) – On this date, an order was entered of record as follows: “It is ordered that Liberty township be subdivided as follows, to-wit: “Commencing at the south line of said township where the same crosses the main divide between Main and West Locust creeks; thence north with said divide west of the residence of Wilson BALDRIDGE thence north to the line between Sullivan and Putnam counties; thence east along said county line to the section line dividing sections three and four in range nineteen; thence due south with said line to the center of township sixty-three (63), of range nineteen (19); thence due west to the place of beginning. It is ordered that the territory bounded as above be known by the name of Jackson township and that the precinct for voting be at the house of Branson JACKSON.”3 |
| June 1861 to September 1861 |
Sullivan County Home Guard Infantry (2 Companies) was organized July 23, 1861, by authority of Gen. Hurlbut. Duty at Hannibal, Mo., and on Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad. Mustered out September, 1861.5 |
| 1862 | Company “C” of 1st Regiment State Militia Cavalry was from Sullivan County. See source site for details on C company and the other companies, where they served, battles, etc.7 |
| @1871 | “The old town of Valparaiso was located just south of the present town of Pollock. When the railroad came to Pollock about 1871, most of the town was moved to that location, and Valparaiso ceased to exist a few years later. The Valparaiso post office closed in 1879 and the one in Pollock opening that same year.”4 |
Sources:
Also see the list of “A Directory of Towns, Villages, and Hamlets Past and Present of Sullivan County, Missouri”, compiled by Arthur Paul Moser.