McDonald County, Missouri - Chapter 2: Early Settlement, 1897

The early settlers of McDonald county, like those of all other localities, located along the creeks and river bottoms. Here were abundant springs of pure, cold water, the streams were alive with fish and an abundance of game ranged near these water courses. The soil was extremely fertile, producing almost miraculous crops of all grains and vegetables, while the uplands called "barrens" or "flat woods", were considered almost worthless for agricultural purposes.

Filled with a restless desire for pioneer life, the inhabitants of other states began to settle in these lonely valleys soon after the state was admitted into the Union. Here, in the solitude of the forests, with only the breezes whistling in the trees, the rippling of the water or the cries of wild animals and birds to wake the stillness, these men made their homes. Here many, many miles from any town or post office they reared their families, and here some of them have long ago found their narrow homes. The first settler within the present boundary of this county of which we have been able to learn was

Valentine, commonly called Telty, Miller, and wife Katy (Workman) and only son, Levi, who settled in Elk river bottom on what is now Known as the Peck farm, in Elk River township, in 1827. He brought a copper still with him from North Carolina and for a while manfactured whisky. He also ran a set of burrs -for grinding corn. His machinery was operated by water power. In a few years his temporary cabin was replaced by a more comfortable log * house which, though sadly dilapidated, is still standing. Some fifteen years afterward they buried their only son on the bank of the river, and in a few days departed for California where the old people died.

Abram, Elisha and Jacob Testerman, came in 1833, and settled on Elk River. Four years later (1837) Abram Testerman and Margery Buzzard were married and settled on Indian creek about one fourth of a mile below where^the town of Lanagan is now located. This is said to be the first marriage in this county.

During the early thirties R. Lauderdale, P. Williams, Blevins, Mathews and a few other families, in all about forty persons, settled in this county. Lauderdale afterwards settled on

Indian creek on the place now occupied by Bob Lauderdale. Some of the others settled on Indian creek and the rest in the vicinity of the present site of Pineville.

Among the other early settlers in this part of the county were Hugh L. Testerman, who came here in September, 1839 and is still living a quarter of a mile east of Pineville on the farm he has owned for more than half a century. A family by the name of Nicely settled on the river below Pineville about 1840, two Noel families and George Mosier, near the same time. About this time it appears that Augustus Friend owned the Marshall farm, which he sold to Jacob Wallace in 1842. Mrs. Wallace afterward sold to Marshall.

Hamilton Moffett and family, also his two married sons, Elam and William, with their f aruiliesjsettled on Indian Creek and near the mouth- of -Elk: Horn in 1840. Elam Moffett, father of J. H. Moffett who now resides in Pineville, settled the place known as the old Moffett farm at the mouth of South Elk Horn. It is now owned, by Elihu Hendry. Prior to their advent into this. county, Jonathan Blair a Presbyterian minister hadjsettled a short distance below the Elam Moffett place, and also owned the present site of McNatt's mills. He operated a small mill at that point in the latter part of the 30 s and early 40 's. John and Jim Mayfield and Bill Cleveland lived on Indian creek near Erie prior to 1839. Sometime in the 30 's John Hearrell lived on Big Sugar creek six miles northeast of Pineville. Dr. Clark Wallace is also among the settlers prior to 1840, and Joel Meador, who still lives on Indian creek.

Among the others who located in this county prior to 1840 are found the names of James W. Tatum, Eligah Witten, and Pleasant Smith. Mr. Tatum still lives on Beaver valley one half mile above the town of Anderson.

The above comprises the principal part of those who came to this county prior to 1840-2, and settled within the present limits of Anderson Erie, Elk River and Pineville townships. I have had to rely wholly on the memory of the older settlers for this information, which is substantially correct, although the names of a few may have been overlooked or forgotten.