Cedar County Historical Society report

by Connie Maupin

The Cedar County Historical Society met Nov. 16, in the Stockton Branch of the of the Cedar County Library. Members present were President Judy Nichols, Vice President Judith Cain, Secretary Connie Maupin, Treasurer Anna Hopkins, Bob Phillips, Ellis Benham, Chris Barber, Virginia Barber and guest speaker Janice Floyd.

The treasurer’s report and museum maintenance fund report were approved

Janice Floyd gave a very interesting talk about Freda and Sherman Floyd and their life when Sherman was Sheriff. They had small living quarters in the jail where Freda prepared meals for the prisoners, did the bookkeeping and served as dispatcher along with many other tasks. The jail and living quarters were up three flights of stairs where there was no Air Conditioning nor even any screens on the windows.

Members have decided to have a garage sale in the spring if possible.

The Missouri State Genealogical Association (MoSGA) is in the process of creating a Youtube channel that will feature the collections and holdings of genealogical and historical societies across the state.

Claud Hoffman donated several extra copies of his family genealogy books to the society.  Claud has given permission to use the extra books as they wish. A set will be donated to a couple of local genealogical societies.

Donations this month are from Randy Taylor who donated family genealogy and three circa 1800’s framed photos from his father, Delbert Taylor. Mary and Hank Smith donated a 1996 Stockton Christmas ornament, two Stockton commemorative plates, two vintage children’s dresses and one set of vintage rosette irons and patty irons in the original boxes with instructions and recipes.  Ronnie Miller donated a circa 1926 Agfa Anastigmat Jgestar Folding Bellows Camera that belonged to Zula Oldham along with her Stockton High School, Southwest Missouri State College diplomas, teaching certificates, photos and memorabilia from her teaching career at Amity rural school and Stockton Grade School. He donated memorabilia from the Lakeland Telephone Company circa 1960-70. The Cedar County Library donated a two record album and companion book, “Now That’s a Good Tune – Masters of Traditional Missouri Fiddling,” by Mo. artists.  Judy Nichols donated a current Missouri Atlas Gazetteer. Bob Phillips donated a collection of Captain Dennis Connaway’s Civil War memorabilia. A copy of “Ledra’s Book” by Luanna Lynch Leisure was donated by the author in thanks for society member Judith Cain’s review of the book.

The museum is now closed for the winter. The museum will open again in April and is located at 106 West Davis Street, Stockton. he next meeting will be Jan. 25, 2021. Location of the meeting will be announced at a later date. For information, special appointments or to purchase publications, call 417-276-1142, contact the society by email at cedarcomohistsoc@gmail.com, visit our Facebook page at “Cedar County Mo Historical Society” or by mail at P.O. Box 111, Stockton, MO 65785.