Cedar Co Hist Society nominates and electes 2026-27 officers

By Connie Maupin and Judy Nichols

On July 27, after enjoying a tasty potluck lunch, Cedar County Historical Society members held their annual meeting and election of officers at the Museum in Stockton. The meeting was called to order and Pledge of Allegiance recited. Members present were President Judy Nichols, Vice President Chris Barber, Secretary Connie Maupin, Treasurer Sheila Griggs, Judi Cain, Don Cain, Frank Stanimier, Bob Phillips, Carl Reeves, Anna Laura Hopkins, Virginia Barber, Linda Betlock, Fred Allenbaugh and Heather Smith.

Heather Smith discussed a few options for our upcoming Cemetery Walk, which is scheduled for Oct. 23 and 24. She will be holding a planning meeting on Saturday, Aug. 1, at 12:30 P.M. in the museum. Members are encouraged to attend and participate in this project.

Nominations for officers were opened. The election was by secret ballot this year. The duly elected officers for the 2026-2027 year are:

·President Judy Nichols

·Vice President Sheila Griggs

·Secretary Connie Maupin

·Treasurer Linda Betlock

·Judi Cain and Bob Phillips will remain as board members.

The society would like to express that they are truly grateful to Chris Barber, outgoing vice president, for his dedication to the preservation of Cedar County history, his hard work and management of the booth at the Black Walnut Festival over the years. We wish him the best for future endeavors.

The April quarterly newsletter has been corrected and sent out to members, along with the July issue.

Sheila continues work on the Research Library project. She has finished the inventory of the maps. There are 73 total, including several railroad maps, one of which is 55 feet long by 12 inches wide! She has put together a research library notebook to assist in locating material.

The 1961 Plat Book still needs to be printed to be available for sale during the Walnut Festival. Judy has purchased her own 15×18 paper cutter for this project and will work on it as time allows. She will check with several print companies for a bid.

Judy owns a 1904-1924, Nafus Funeral Home book (Stockton edition) and it is in extremely fragile condition. Don Cain has taken it to a printing company for an estimate to duplicate so that it can be added to our research library and possibly to sell copies. George Nafus opened the funeral home on the square in Stockton and later moved it to El Dorado Springs where his daughter joined him in the business.

Fred Allenbaugh will now serve as the business liaison between the society and Stockton’s American Legion post.

The Chamber of Commerce has requested donations for 15 new teacher gifts for the Stockton Schools. We have chosen to give copies of our Stockton Lyceum book.

Local Bulletin: The public is invited to the Wagoner/Cedar Bluff School annual get-together and potluck meal this year. It will be on Saturday, September 12, at 4 P.M. at Wagoner, just off the west end of Z Hwy. Drinks and paper products will be provided. They will be raffling off a couple of guns and some new fishing equipment. A limited number of tickets will be sold, so there will be several chances to win. There will also be an auction. Monetary contributions and/or items that can be auctioned to raise funds to help keep the school house and the playground equipment repaired for the next generation are welcome and greatly appreciated. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the event.

There has been a request to switch out some of our photos in the courthouse foyer after the November election boards come down off of the walls. Judy will check with the county commissioners to see what they would like. The photos have been on loan to the county since the old jail museum was torn down in 2007.

We received notice of the passing of Allen Hoover, age 68, a friend of the society, and Lois Coffin, age 100, another friend who has donated artifacts currently on display. She was also a member of the Shady Hill Club, which met several times a year at the museum.

Addendum to Members: Our Facebook page, Cedar County Mo Historical Society, and all member information connected to it has been expunged. Judy has reinstated the account, but the 1200+ member info is not retrievable. If you want to re-join the page, you will need to re-apply as if you had never belonged. Make sure you answer the 3 security questions and answer “yes” to the group rules when you apply. Please, DO NOT send your request to Judy’s page; that will not get you to the correct page and your request will be deleted.

Donations:Two hand-woven palm leaf hand fans: one from Simrell Drugs in Caplinger Mills (1873–1878) and one from Jackson Dry Goods (1865–1880) in Stockton; donated by Danny Long. A christening gown and cap with a photo of baby Theo Nadine (Morris) Crawford and mother Ollie Alice (Wilson) Morris, displayed in a shadow box, circa 1911; donated by Jeanette Mooney. Books, photos, maps, and genealogy from Cedar County Library; procured by Linda and Sheila. An original original 1922 court record and deed from; donated by Bob Phillips.

• Museum Open Dates: Aug. 1 and 15, from 1 to 4 P.M. and during regular meetings.

• Next Meeting: Monday, Aug. 31, at 1 P.M. – Museum is open 1 to 4 P.M. that day.

• Location: The Cedar County Museum and Research Library at 106 West Davis Street in Stockton, Missouri.

• Admission: Free.

• Contact: For information, appointments or to purchase publications: Call 417-276-1142, email cedarcomohistsoc@gmail.com, visit Cedar County Mo Historical Society on Facebook, or write to P.O. Box 111, Stockton, MO 65785.