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Camden County, Missouri

Coordinates: 38°02′N 92°46′W / 38.03°N 92.77°W / 38.03; -92.77
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Not to be confused with Camden, Missouri.

Camden County
County
The Camden County Courthouse in Camdenton
The Camden County Courthouse in Camdenton
Map of Missouri highlighting Camden County
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Map of the United States highlighting Missouri
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°02′N 92°46′W / 38.03°N 92.77°W / 38.03; -92.77
Country United States
State Missouri
FoundedJanuary 29, 1841
Named forCharles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden
SeatCamdenton
Largest cityOsage Beach
Area
 • Total709 sq mi (1,840 km2)
 • Land656 sq mi (1,700 km2)
 • Water53 sq mi (140 km2)  7.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total42,745
 • Estimate 
(2022)
43,768
 • Density60/sq mi (23/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts3rd, 4th
Websitewww.camdenmo.org

Camden County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 42,745.[1] Its county seat is Camdenton.[2] The county was organized on January 29, 1841, as Kinderhook County and renamed Camden County in 1843 after Charles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden, Lord Chancellor of the United Kingdom and leader of the British Whig Party.[3][4] Camden County is also the primary setting of the Netflix show Ozark.

History

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Settlement and founding

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There is no preserved record of the area that is now Camden County being inhabited before 1827, when Kentuckian settlers Harrison Davis and Reuben Berry pitched a camp on the Dry Auglaize Creek, eight miles east of what is now Linn Creek. Throughout the next few years, more settlers came into the area, and by 1831, there were thirteen families living near the Dry Auglaize. Records of settling the Wet Auglaize Creek date back to the beginning of 1832. The first school in Camden County was built on a farm in 1833.[5]

Original county seat

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The town of Oregon was established in 1841 and became the county seat. In 1843, when the name of the county was changed from Kinderhook to Camden, the name of Oregon was changed to Erie. In 1854, a cholera epidemic struck Erie, leaving only 7 survivors. As a result, the county seat was changed to Linn Creek in 1855.[6]

American Civil War

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Camden County saw some fighting during the American Civil War.

Battle of Monday's Hollow

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Battle of Monday's Hollow
Part of the American Civil War
DateOctober 13, 1861
Location
Camden County, Missouri
Result Union victory
Belligerents
United States United States Missouri State Guard
Commanders and leaders
  • United States Col. John Wyman
  • United States Maj. Clark Wright
  • United States Maj. W.D. Bowen
 Lt. Col. J.M. Johnson
Units involved

United States 13th Illinois Infantry Regiment
United States 13th Illinois Cavalry Regiment

  • Frémont Battalion
  • First Battalion
 Unnamed cavalry unit
Casualties and losses
1 killed Approximately 100 killed and wounded

On October 13, 1861, the Battle of Monday's Hollow took place. Colonel John Wyman led the 13th Illinois Infantry Regiment from the east towards Linn Creek, while the 13th Illinois Cavalry Regiment, consisting of Major Clark Wright's Frémont Battalion and Major W.D. Bowen's First Battalion headed southwest towards Lebanon. Bowen's forces collided with a Missouri State Guard cavalry unit commanded by Lieutenant Colonel J.M. "Myscal" Johnson. Bowen called for assistance from Wright and Wyman, halting near where Missouri Route 7 now crosses Murphy Creek. The Union forces saw Johnson's cavalry, and Wyman attacked, driving the Missouri State Guard in the direction of Lebanon.[7]

Skirmish at Linn Creek

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Wyman remained in his camp for several days after the Battle of Monday's Hollow. Southern partisans took control of an undefended Linn Creek. On October 14, 1861, the Frémont Battalion descended on the town and drove out the southerners, taking 37 prisioners.[7]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 709 square miles (1,840 km2), of which 656 square miles (1,700 km2) is land and 53 square miles (140 km2) (7.4%) is water.[8]

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18502,338—
18604,975112.8%
18706,10822.8%
18807,26619.0%
189010,04038.2%
190013,11330.6%
191011,582−11.7%
192010,474−9.6%
19309,142−12.7%
19408,971−1.9%
19507,861−12.4%
19609,11616.0%
197013,31546.1%
198020,01750.3%
199027,49537.4%
200037,05134.8%
201044,00218.8%
202042,745−2.9%
2021 (est.)43,4361.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2015[1]

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 37,051 people, 15,779 households, and 11,297 families residing in the county. The population density was 57 people per square mile (22 people/km2). There were 33,470 housing units at an average density of 51 units per square mile (20/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.68% White, 0.26% Black or African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. Approximately 0.93% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 15,779 households, out of which 23.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.80% were married couples living together, 6.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.40% were non-families. 23.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.68.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 20.30% under the age of 18, 6.10% from 18 to 24, 23.30% from 25 to 44, 31.40% from 45 to 64, and 19.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 100.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,840, and the median income for a family was $40,695. Males had a median income of $28,020 versus $20,825 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,197. About 8.00% of families and 11.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.00% of those under age 18 and 7.70% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

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According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2010), Camden County is part of the Bible Belt, with evangelical Protestantism being the most predominant religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in Camden County who adhere to a religion are Southern Baptists (33.09%), nondenominational evangelical groups (13.92%), and Roman Catholics (11.44%).

2020 Census

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Camden County Racial Composition[14]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 38,714 90.6%
Black or African American (NH) 247 0.6%
Native American (NH) 177 0.41%
Asian (NH) 221 0.52%
Pacific Islander (NH) 28 0.07%
Other/Mixed (NH) 2,003 5.7%
Hispanic or Latino 1,355 4.7%

Education

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Public schools

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Private schools

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Public libraries

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Communities

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Cities

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Villages

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Census-designated places

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Other unincorporated places

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Notable people

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Politics

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Local

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The Republican Party predominantly controls politics at the local level in Camden County.

Camden County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor Marty McGuire Republican
Circuit Clerk Kayla Henry Republican
County Clerk Rowland Todd Republican
Collector Teresa Murray Republican
Commissioner
(Presiding)		 Ike Skelton Republican
Commissioner
(District 1)		 James Gohagan Republican
Commissioner
(District 2)		 Don Williams Republican
Prosecuting Attorney Richelle Christensen-Grosvenor Republican
Public Administrator Nancy A. Douglas Republican
Recorder Donnie Snelling Republican
Sheriff Tony Helms Republican
Treasurer Kendra Hicks Republican

State

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Past gubernatorial election results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 76.18% 18,837 22.08% 5,461 1.74% 430
2016 67.09% 15,050 29.80% 6,686 3.11% 698
2012 54.91% 11,986 42.19% 9,210 2.90% 632
2008 48.79% 10,716 49.15% 10,795 2.06% 453
2004 61.18% 11,956 37.87% 7,401 0.95% 184
2000 56.24% 9,555 41.55% 7,059 2.21% 376
1996 50.25% 7,385 46.34% 6,810 3.42% 502

Camden County is split between two legislative districts that elect members of the Missouri House of Representatives, both of which are represented by Republicans.

  • District 123 — Suzie Pollock (R-Lebanon). Consists of the southern half of the county, including the communities of Camdenton, Linn Creek, Macks Creek, and Stoutland.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 123 — Camden County (2020)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Suzie Pollock 9,459 87.16% +11.25
Constitution Pat Bellew 1,394 12.84% +12.84
Missouri House of Representatives — District 123 — Camden County (2018)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Suzie Pollock 6,920 75.91% −24.09
Democratic Joe Register 2,196 24.09% +24.09
  • District 124 — Lisa Thomas (R-Lake Ozark). Consists of the northern half of the county, including the communities of Climax Springs, Lake Ozark, Osage Beach, Sunrise Beach, and Village of Four Seasons.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 124 — Camden County (2020)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Lisa Thomas 11,287 100.00% −24.18
Missouri House of Representatives — District 124 — Camden County (2018)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Rocky Miller 7,971 75.82% −24.18
Democratic Steve Dakopolos 2,542 24.18% +24.18

All of Camden County is a part of Missouri's 16th District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Justin Brown (R-Rolla).

Missouri Senate — District 16 — Camden County (2018)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Justin Brown 14,356 73.37% −26.63
Democratic Ryan Dillon 5,211 26.63% +26.63
Missouri Senate — District 16 — Camden County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dan Brown 8,760 100.00%

Federal

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Most of Camden County is included in Missouri's 3rd Congressional District and is currently represented by Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-St. Elizabeth) in the U.S. House of Representatives. Luetkemeyer was elected to a seventh term in 2020 over Democratic challenger Megan Rezabek.

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 3rd Congressional District — Camden County (2020)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Blaine Luetkemeyer 11,652 77.57% +2.21
Democratic Megan Rezabek 3,122 20.78% −2.12
Libertarian Leonard J. Steinman II 248 1.65% −0.10
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 3rd Congressional District — Camden County (2018)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Blaine Luetkemeyer 9,051 75.36% −0.36
Democratic Katy Geppert 2,750 22.90% +1.95
Libertarian Donald V. Stolle 210 1.75% −0.90

Part of Camden County is included in Missouri's 4th Congressional District and is currently represented by Vicky Hartzler (R-Harrisonville) in the U.S. House of Representatives. Hartzler was elected to a sixth term in 2020 over Democratic challenger Lindsey Simmons.

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri’s 4th Congressional District — Camden County (2020)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Vicky Hartzler 7,270 78.03% +1.57
Democratic Lindsey Simmons 1,809 19.42% −1.98
Libertarian Steven K. Koonse 238 2.55% +0.41
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 4th Congressional District — Camden County (2018)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Vicky Hartzler 5,980 76.46% −0.22
Democratic Renee Hoagenson 1,674 21.40% +1.72
Libertarian Mark Bliss 167 2.14% −1.50

Camden County, along with the rest of the state of Missouri, is represented in the U.S. Senate by Josh Hawley (R-Columbia) and Roy Blunt (R-Strafford).

U.S. Senate – Class I – Camden County (2018)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Josh Hawley 13,995 69.94% +20.15
Democratic Claire McCaskill 5,425 27.11% −15.86
Independent Craig O'Dear 299 1.49%
Libertarian Japheth Campbell 294 1.02% −6.20
Green Jo Crain 87 0.44% +0.44

Blunt was elected to a second term in 2016 over then-Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander.

U.S. Senate — Missouri — Camden County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Roy Blunt 14,434 64.36% +14.57
Democratic Jason Kander 6,995 31.19% −11.78
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 580 2.59% −4.63
Constitution Fred Ryman 210 0.94% +0.94
Green Johnathan McFarland 208 0.93% +0.93

Political culture

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United States presidential election results for Camden County, Missouri[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 18,850 75.97% 5,652 22.78% 310 1.25%
2016 16,944 74.71% 4,768 21.02% 968 4.27%
2012 15,092 68.55% 6,458 29.33% 465 2.11%
2008 14,074 63.40% 7,773 35.02% 350 1.58%
2004 13,122 67.23% 6,296 32.26% 101 0.52%
2000 10,358 60.58% 6,323 36.98% 418 2.44%
1996 7,190 48.93% 5,566 37.88% 1,938 13.19%
1992 5,554 37.97% 5,140 35.14% 3,933 26.89%
1988 7,773 66.10% 3,930 33.42% 56 0.48%
1984 8,057 72.29% 3,088 27.71% 0 0.00%
1980 6,541 63.84% 3,416 33.34% 289 2.82%
1976 4,469 52.51% 3,975 46.71% 66 0.78%
1972 4,996 73.94% 1,761 26.06% 0 0.00%
1968 3,500 61.00% 1,605 27.97% 633 11.03%
1964 2,607 50.83% 2,522 49.17% 0 0.00%
1960 3,509 66.61% 1,759 33.39% 0 0.00%
1956 2,817 65.86% 1,460 34.14% 0 0.00%
1952 2,789 69.29% 1,226 30.46% 10 0.25%
1948 2,020 61.38% 1,264 38.41% 7 0.21%
1944 2,180 68.66% 990 31.18% 5 0.16%
1940 2,692 63.40% 1,549 36.48% 5 0.12%
1936 2,281 54.37% 1,908 45.48% 6 0.14%
1932 1,497 45.19% 1,801 54.36% 15 0.45%
1928 2,085 77.37% 606 22.49% 4 0.15%
1924 1,732 57.14% 1,196 39.46% 103 3.40%
1920 2,276 67.96% 1,034 30.87% 39 1.16%
1916 1,261 56.17% 930 41.43% 54 2.41%
1912 918 49.12% 667 35.69% 284 15.20%
1908 1,446 58.90% 955 38.90% 54 2.20%
1904 1,466 60.23% 883 36.28% 85 3.49%
1900 1,511 58.14% 1,078 41.48% 10 0.38%
1896 1,326 50.40% 1,287 48.92% 18 0.68%
1892 1,070 53.99% 602 30.37% 310 15.64%
1888 1,056 53.99% 675 34.51% 225 11.50%

Camden County has long been a Republican stronghold. The last Democrat to carry the county was Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932, the only time a Democrat has won the county since Stephen Douglas in 1860. Underlining how Republican the county is, it rejected native son Harry Truman in 1944 when he was Roosevelt's running mate, and when he headed the ticket himself in 1948. Jimmy Carter is the only Democrat since Roosevelt to manage even 40 percent of the county's vote.

Like most rural areas in western Missouri, voters in Camden County generally adhere to socially and culturally conservative principles which tend to influence their Republican leanings.

Missouri presidential preference primaries

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2020

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The 2020 presidential primaries for both the Democratic and Republican parties were held in Missouri on March 10. On the Democratic side, former Vice President Joe Biden (D-Delaware) both won statewide and carried Camden County by a wide margin. Biden went on to defeat President Donald Trump in the general election.

Missouri Democratic Presidential Primary – Camden County (2020)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Joe Biden 2,101 69.14
Democratic Bernie Sanders 756 24.88
Democratic Tulsi Gabbard 34 1.12
Democratic Others/Uncommitted 148 4.87

Incumbent President Donald Trump (R-Florida) faced a primary challenge from former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld, but won both Camden County and statewide by overwhelming margins.

Missouri Republican Presidential Primary – Camden County (2020)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Donald Trump 3,564 97.94
Republican Bill Weld 14 0.39
Republican Others/Uncommitted 61 1.68

2016

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The 2016 presidential primaries for both the Republican and Democratic parties were held in Missouri on March 15. Businessman Donald Trump (R-New York) narrowly won the state overall, but carried a majority of the vote in Camden County. He went on to win the presidency.

Missouri Republican Presidential Primary – Camden County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Donald Trump 5,467 54.88
Republican Ted Cruz 2,985 29.97
Republican John Kasich 846 8.49
Republican Marco Rubio 473 4.75
Republican Others/Uncommitted 190 1.91

On the Democratic side, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (D-New York) narrowly won statewide, but Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) carried Camden County by a small margin.

Missouri Democratic Presidential Primary – Camden County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Bernie Sanders 1,419 49.95
Democratic Hillary Clinton 1,388 48.86
Democratic Others/Uncommitted 34 1.20

2012

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The 2012 Missouri Republican Presidential Primary's results were nonbinding on the state's national convention delegates. Voters in Camden County supported former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R-Pennsylvania), who finished first in the state at large, but eventually lost the nomination to former Governor Mitt Romney (R-Massachusetts). Delegates to the congressional district and state conventions were chosen at a county caucus, which selected a delegation favoring Santorum. Incumbent President Barack Obama easily won the Missouri Democratic Primary and renomination. He defeated Romney in the general election.

2008

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In 2008, the Missouri Republican Presidential Primary was closely contested, with Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) prevailing and eventually winning the nomination.

Missouri Republican Presidential Primary – Camden County (2008)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican John McCain 2,196 33.92
Republican Mike Huckabee 2,133 32.94
Republican Mitt Romney 1,843 28.46
Republican Ron Paul 194 3.00
Republican Others/Uncommitted 109 1.69

Then-Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes than any candidate from either party in Camden County during the 2008 presidential primary. Despite initial reports that Clinton had won Missouri, Barack Obama (D-Illinois), also a Senator at the time, narrowly defeated her statewide and later became that year's Democratic nominee, going on to win the presidency.

Missouri Democratic Presidential Primary – Camden County (2008)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Hillary Clinton 2,794 57.99
Democratic Barack Obama 1,867 38.75
Democratic Others/Uncommitted 157 3.26

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "2020 Population and Housing State Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Eaton, David Wolfe (1916). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. pp. 268.
  4. ^ "Disappearing Missouri Names". The Kansas City Star. March 19, 1911. p. 15. Retrieved August 15, 2014 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  5. ^ Vincent, J. W. (September 3, 1836). "Camden County History". mogenweb. Archived from the original on June 5, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  6. ^ Camden County Historical Society. "Oregon / Erie". Camden County Museum. Linn Creek, Missouri, United States.
  7. ^ a b "Combat in Camden County". The Civil War in Camden County. Linn Creek, Missouri, United States: Missouri's Civil War Heritage Foundation, Inc.
  8. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  11. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  12. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  14. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Camden County, Missouri".
  15. ^ Breeding, Marshall. "Camden County Library District". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  16. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 24, 2018.

Further reading

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  • History of Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Texas, Pulaski, Phelps, and Dent counties, Missouri (1889) full text
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38°02′N 92°46′W / 38.03°N 92.77°W / 38.03; -92.77

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