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Sullivan County, Missouri

Coordinates: 40°13′N 93°07′W / 40.21°N 93.11°W / 40.21; -93.11
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Not to be confused with Sullivan, Missouri.

Sullivan County
County
Sullivan County Courthouse in Milan
Sullivan County Courthouse in Milan
Map of Missouri highlighting Sullivan County
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Map of the United States highlighting Missouri
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°13′N 93°07′W / 40.21°N 93.11°W / 40.21; -93.11
Country United States
State Missouri
Founded1843 (created)
1845 (organized)
Named forJohn Sullivan
SeatMilan
Largest cityMilan
Area
 • Total
652 sq mi (1,690 km2)
 • Land648 sq mi (1,680 km2)
 • Water3.5 sq mi (9 km2)  0.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
5,999
 • Density9.2/sq mi (3.6/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district6th

Sullivan County is a county located in the northern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,999.[1] Its county seat is Milan.[2] The county was organized February 14, 1845, and named for Major General John Sullivan of the American Revolutionary War.[3]

History

[edit]

In 1682, René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle claimed the territory west of the Mississippi River for France, which included present-day Sullivan County. The United States acquired this region under terms of the Louisiana Purchase on July 4, 1803. Twenty-one years later, the Sac (Sauk), Meskwaki (Fox), and Iowa Native American nations ceded their tribal land to the U.S. government under two treaties in August 1824.

Dr. Jacob Holland and his son, Robert W. Holland, arrived in 1836, becoming the county's first permanent White settlers. Dr. Holland, a veteran of the Black Hawk War and practitioner of herbal medicine, and son staked their home sites at the Main Locust Creek Settlement near a place called Scottsville.[4] American pioneers from Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia quickly followed them and established farms and small businesses at Pharsalia (Milan) Settlement, Yellow Creek Settlement, and Jackson's Corners (Jacksonville) by 1840.

The Missouri state legislature defined the boundaries of the county from Chariton County during the 1842–1843 legislative session, and first named it Highland County. However, the number of permanent settlers did not meet requirements for civil governance and military purposes, so legislators attached administration of Highland County to Linn County. A new survey of the county in 1844 determined that the population was sufficient to permit full organization. E.M.C. Morelock, a representative from Highland County, presented an act to the state legislature, which they approved on February 14, 1845, and the county became formally organized. By the same act, it was renamed Sullivan County in honor of John Sullivan, a major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.[5][6]

Settlers established the town of Milan (pronounced MY-lun) in 1845, located at the center of the county, where the first courts met. William Putnam built the first courthouse, which was occupied in October 1847. Ten years later, residents leveled an Indian mound in the middle of town to make the public square and Major John McCollough built the second courthouse, the first brick structure in Milan, on this site during 1857–1858.[7] (This courthouse was destroyed by fire in 1908 and it was not until 1938 that it was replaced by the three-story limestone building that stands today.[8]) The last United States General Land Office established in Missouri also operated from the square from 1849 to 1859. The state legislature officially incorporated the city of Milan on February 8, 1859. Other towns platted in the county's early years included Greencastle (1857), Newtown (1858), Pollock (1873), Boynton and Cora (1877), Green City and Winigan (1880), Humphreys and Reger (1881), Osgood (1886), and Harris (1887). Green City College opened in 1885, and a business institute opened in Humphreys in 1884.

During the U.S. Civil War (1861–1865), a Union Army post stood in Milan. The Union cause was supported by four Union volunteer infantry regiments, two Union cavalry volunteer regiments, two Missouri Militia units, one provisional militia unit, and a large unit of Sullivan County Home Guards. The Confederate side was supported by four units of Missouri State Guard infantrymen.[9] Soldiers from Sullivan County fought at the Battle of Shiloh, Battle of Atlanta, Battle of Jonesborough, and other major engagements throughout the war. Military skirmishes within the county were mostly confined to bushwhackers.

Expansion of the railroads brought growth to Sullivan County beginning in the 1870s. The C., B. & K.C. (Chicago, Burlington and Kansas City Railway) built a line running north to south through the county in 1876, which was followed by construction of the Quincy, Missouri & Pacific Railway line east to west through the county from 1878 to 1881. The two lines crossed in Milan, which became a major shipping point. The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway soon built a north–south line along Medicine Creek the length of the western edge of the county that served the towns of Newtown and Harris, which continues to be active today. (All three railroads eventually merged into the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad.)

By 1900, following the railroad construction boom, the county's population exceeded 20,000. However, business activity and the number of residents declined steadily during the subsequent decades. The number of farms decreased from about 3,100 in 1900 to under 900 by 1982, but over the same time period, the size of farms increased from about 130 acres to 385 acres. The county primarily remains rural agricultural land today, planted in corn and grains with family operated poultry, livestock, and dairy farms.[10] One medium size manufacturer in Milan employs about 750 people.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 652 square miles (1,690 km2), of which 648 square miles (1,680 km2) is land and 3.5 square miles (9.1 km2) (0.5%) is water.[11]

The main water courses in Sullivan County are Medicine, Locust, East Locust, Yellow, and Spring Creeks. The highest point in the county, about 1,060 feet (320 m) above sea level, is on the primary divide between the Chariton River and Grand River drainage basins along its northern border shared with Putnam County northwest of Green City. The lowest point, about 740 feet (230 m) above sea level, is where Locust Creek flows out of the county on its southern border with Linn County, near the town of Browning.[12]

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18502,983—
18609,108205.3%
187011,90730.7%
188016,56939.2%
189019,00014.7%
190020,2826.7%
191018,598−8.3%
192017,781−4.4%
193015,212−14.4%
194013,701−9.9%
195011,299−17.5%
19608,783−22.3%
19707,572−13.8%
19807,434−1.8%
19906,326−14.9%
20007,21914.1%
20106,714−7.0%
20205,999−10.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]
1790-1960[14] 1900-1990[15]
1990-2000[16] 2010-2015[17]

As of the census[18] of 2010, there were 6,714 people, 2,925 households, and 1,959 families residing in the county. The population density was 11 people per square mile (4.2 people/km2). There were 3,364 housing units at an average density of 5 units per square mile (1.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 88.73% White, 0.51% Black or African American, 0.66% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 8.67% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. Approximately 18.59% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race, making Sullivan County the most heavily Hispanic/Latino county in Missouri.

There were 2,925 households, out of which 29.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.30% were married couples living together, 9.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.00% were non-families. 29.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.00% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 18.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 100.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,107, and the median income for a family was $33,590. Males had a median income of $23,245 versus $19,167 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,392. About 11.00% of families and 16.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.60% of those under age 18 and 20.90% of those age 65 or over.

2020 Census

[edit]
Sullivan County Racial Composition[19]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 4,507 75.13%
Black or African American (NH) 208 3.47%
Native American (NH) 26 0.43%
Asian (NH) 29 0.48%
Pacific Islander (NH) 1 0.02%
Other/Mixed (NH) 174 3%
Hispanic or Latino 1,054 17.6%

Education

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Public schools

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Public libraries

[edit]
  • Sullivan County Library[20]

Communities

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Cities

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Villages

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Census-designated place

[edit]

Unincorporated communities

[edit]

Former communities

[edit]

Source[21]

Townships

[edit]

Source[22]

  • Bowman
  • Buchanan
  • Clay
  • Duncan
  • Jackson
  • Liberty
  • Morris
  • Penn
  • Pleasant Hill
  • Polk
  • Taylor
  • Union

Notable people

[edit]

Politics

[edit]

Local

[edit]

The Republican and Democratic parties equally control politics at the local level in Sullivan County. Both parties hold about half of the elected positions in the county.

Sullivan County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor Karen LaFaver Democratic
Circuit Clerk Sherry Brinkley Democratic
County Clerk Jackie Morris Democratic
Collector Jennifer Hollon-Russell Republican
Commissioner
(Presiding)		 Chris May Republican
Commissioner
(District 1)		 Mike Hepler Democratic
Commissioner
(District 2)		 Danny Busick Republican
Coroner Paul Ruschmeier Democratic
Prosecuting Attorney Jerry A. Hollon Democratic
Public Administrator Joan Brummitt Democratic
Recorder Peggy Sloan Republican
Sheriff Roger Smiley Republican
Surveyor Brandon Piper Republican
Treasurer Jennifer Hollon-Russell Republican

State

[edit]
Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 81.02% 1,985 18.00% 441 0.98% 25
2016 66.21% 1,642 31.73% 787 2.06% 51
2012 54.90% 1,429 42.41% 1,104 2.69% 70
2008 51.43% 1,476 46.03% 1,321 2.54% 73
2004 62.45% 1,929 35.77% 1,105 1.78% 55
2000 58.11% 1,755 40.33% 1,218 1.56% 47
1996 35.59% 1,084 62.57% 1,906 1.84% 56

Sullivan County is part of Missouri's 3rd district in the Missouri House of Representatives, currently represented by Nate Walker (R-Kirksville).

Missouri House of Representatives — District 3 — Sullivan County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Nate Walker 2,152 100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 3 — Sullivan County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Nate Walker 1,300 100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 3 — Sullivan County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Nate Walker 1,552 59.49%
Democratic Rebecca McClanahan 1,057 40.51%

Sullivan County is a part of Missouri's 12th District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Dan Hegeman (R-Cosby).

Missouri Senate — District 12 — Sullivan County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dan Hegeman 1,227 100.00

Federal

[edit]
U.S. Senate — Missouri — Sullivan County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Roy Blunt 1,662 67.23% +23.85
Democratic Jason Kander 735 29.73% −20.62
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 37 1.50% −4.77
Green Johnathan McFarland 17 0.69% +0.69
Constitution Fred Ryman 21 0.85% +0.85
U.S. Senate — Missouri — Sullivan County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Todd Akin 1,128 43.38%
Democratic Claire McCaskill 1,309 50.35%
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 163 6.27%

Sullivan County is included in Missouri's 6th Congressional District and is currently represented by Sam Graves (R-Tarkio) in the U.S. House of Representatives.

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 6th Congressional District — Sullivan County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Sam Graves 1,897 77.27% +1.46
Democratic David M. Blackwell 506 20.61% −1.12
Libertarian Russ Lee Monchil 35 1.43% −1.03
Green Mike Diel 17 0.69% +0.69
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri’s 6th Congressional District — Sullivan County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Sam Graves 1,172 75.81% +6.70
Democratic Bill Hedge 336 21.73% −7.34
Libertarian Russ Lee Monchil 38 2.46% +0.64
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 6th Congressional District — Sullivan County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Sam Graves 1,785 69.11%
Democratic Kyle Yarber 751 29.07%
Libertarian Russ Lee Monchil 47 1.82%
United States presidential election results for Sullivan County, Missouri[23]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 1,974 79.89% 478 19.34% 19 0.77%
2016 1,884 75.78% 526 21.16% 76 3.06%
2012 1,610 62.04% 908 34.99% 77 2.97%
2008 1,607 56.01% 1,173 40.89% 89 3.10%
2004 1,880 60.86% 1,178 38.14% 31 1.00%
2000 1,877 61.26% 1,127 36.78% 60 1.96%
1996 1,275 41.75% 1,402 45.91% 377 12.34%
1992 1,326 38.59% 1,510 43.95% 600 17.46%
1988 1,897 54.75% 1,562 45.08% 6 0.17%
1984 2,306 56.38% 1,784 43.62% 0 0.00%
1980 2,412 55.77% 1,824 42.17% 89 2.06%
1976 2,141 47.75% 2,313 51.58% 30 0.67%
1972 2,611 62.18% 1,588 37.82% 0 0.00%
1968 2,332 52.24% 1,907 42.72% 225 5.04%
1964 2,052 43.23% 2,695 56.77% 0 0.00%
1960 3,202 56.12% 2,504 43.88% 0 0.00%
1956 3,357 54.48% 2,805 45.52% 0 0.00%
1952 3,746 55.15% 3,041 44.77% 5 0.07%
1948 3,140 47.63% 3,443 52.23% 9 0.14%
1944 3,611 52.00% 3,328 47.93% 5 0.07%
1940 4,080 52.07% 3,743 47.77% 13 0.17%
1936 4,019 50.08% 3,986 49.67% 20 0.25%
1932 3,373 45.26% 4,053 54.38% 27 0.36%
1928 4,183 55.80% 3,292 43.92% 21 0.28%
1924 3,885 49.33% 3,703 47.02% 287 3.64%
1920 4,576 56.35% 3,475 42.79% 70 0.86%
1916 2,420 49.02% 2,446 49.54% 71 1.44%
1912 1,819 38.69% 2,226 47.35% 656 13.95%
1908 2,389 50.61% 2,269 48.07% 62 1.31%
1904 2,474 51.43% 2,224 46.24% 112 2.33%
1900 2,386 49.06% 2,395 49.25% 82 1.69%
1896 2,393 49.07% 2,451 50.26% 33 0.68%
1892 2,173 49.79% 2,095 48.01% 96 2.20%
1888 2,021 50.58% 1,948 48.75% 27 0.68%

Missouri presidential preference primary (2008)

[edit]
Main articles: 2008 Missouri Democratic presidential primary and 2008 Missouri Republican presidential primary

Former U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes, a total of 506, than any candidate from either party in Sullivan County during the 2008 presidential primary.

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Eaton, David Wolfe (1917). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. p. 68.
  4. ^ MOGenWeb Project, Sullivan County, Missouri, Early Settlements of Sullivan County
  5. ^ Sterling, Bill. "Sullivan County (Communities)". Community Histories. SullivanCountyMissouri.com. Archived from the original on January 6, 2009. Retrieved September 14, 2011.
  6. ^ "Sullivan County, Missouri". MOGenWeb. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  7. ^ University of Missouri Extension, Encyclopedia of Missouri Courthouses, Sullivan County Courthouse. Retrieved September 14, 2011.
  8. ^ Sterling, Bill. "Courthouse History". County History. SullivanCountyMissouri.com. Archived from the original on May 17, 2005. Retrieved September 14, 2011.
  9. ^ Sterling, Bill. "Sullivan County Civil War Regiments". County History. SullivanCountyMissouri.com. Archived from the original on January 16, 2011. Retrieved September 14, 2011.
  10. ^ United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Survey of Sullivan County, Missouri, April 1985
  11. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  12. ^ United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Survey of Sullivan County, Missouri, April 1995.
  13. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  14. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  15. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  16. ^ "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 22, 2014.
  17. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  18. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  19. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Sullivan County, Missouri".
  20. ^ Breeding, Marshall. "Sullivan County Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  21. ^ GNIS, Query Results: Sullivan County, Missouri
  22. ^ MOGenWeb Project, Sullivan County Townships
  23. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
[edit]

40°13′N 93°07′W / 40.21°N 93.11°W / 40.21; -93.11

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