Avilla, Missouri

Avilla. - The pleasant little rural village of Avilla is located in the eastern portion of Jasper county, about four miles west of the Lawrence county line. It stands in one of the finest agricultural regions of southwest Mis- souri and has been, and is destined to be, a place of considerable importance. Close to the south is the timber skirting White Oak Creek, and towards the north and west stretch fertile prairies and rich and beautiful fields. The first merchant was D. S. Holman, who was also the first postmaster. Shortly after Messrs. Geo. and John Jones opened up the second store. The first hotel, the Avilla House, was erected by Justice Hall about the year 1868. The first physician was Dr. Young, who came here previous to the war and engaged in practice. There are now two general stores carrying an excellent stock of dry goods, clothing, etc.; two grocery stores, one notion store, one drug store, two boot and shoe stores, one livery and feed stable, one good hotel, three churches, and two secret societies. School advantages are quite good, the citizens taking great interest in the education of the youth. A new school-house will soon be erected.

Passage source: The History of Jasper County, Missouri : Including a Condensed History of the State, a Complete History of Carthage and Joplin, Other Towns and Townships : Together with Numerous Portraits of Prominent Men : Cuts of Elegant Residences and Public Buildings : a Sectional Map of the County : Biographical Sketches of Many Enterprising Farmers, Merchants, Mechanics, Professional, and Business Men : the Constitution of the State : an Abstract of Laws : an Elaborate History of Jasper County - Its Topography, Natural History, Pioneers, Organization, Political History, Courts and Bar, Religious, Educational, Medical, Agricultural, Mining, and Horticultural, Its Commercial and Business Interests, Etc, published 1883.

Avilla was platted and laid out for public use July 23, 1858, by David S. Holman and Andrew L. Love, proprietors of the land on which the site was taken. The town was located on the southeast quarter of section 30, of township 29, range 29, and on the northeast quarter of section 31 in township 29, range 29. Benjamin Binney's addition to the town of Avilla was made June 11, 1868. Joseph S. Tam's addition was made June 18, 1873. Avilla Post-office. - The Avilla post-ofiice was established about the year 1858. The first postmaster was D. S. Holman. Those succeeding are wanting up to 1866; since, the following gentlemen have had charge: J. M. Berry, Josephus Kelley, T. S. Haughawont, N. H. Roberts, and J. E.. Spencer. Mr. Spencer took charge of the ofiice in April 1873 and received his commission on December 18, following. At that time it was a salaried office at $10 per month. Reports for quarter ending March 31, 1882: Commission allowed, ^69.57; amount of stamps, etc., sold, $110.85; box rent, $9.20; waste paper, $1.25; amount forwarded department, $52.23. Reports for quarter ending March 31, 1883: Commission allowed $76.89; stamps sold, $115.75; box rents, $9.85; waste paper, $2.60; registered letters sold in 1882, 485; number received, 81

Passage source: The History of Jasper County, Missouri : Including a Condensed History of the State, a Complete History of Carthage and Joplin, Other Towns and Townships : Together with Numerous Portraits of Prominent Men : Cuts of Elegant Residences and Public Buildings : a Sectional Map of the County : Biographical Sketches of Many Enterprising Farmers, Merchants, Mechanics, Professional, and Business Men : the Constitution of the State : an Abstract of Laws : an Elaborate History of Jasper County - Its Topography, Natural History, Pioneers, Organization, Political History, Courts and Bar, Religious, Educational, Medical, Agricultural, Mining, and Horticultural, Its Commercial and Business Interests, Etc, published 1883.

M. E. Church. - Thirteen years ago Rev. J. C. Willoughby, then stationed at Carthage, traveled over Jasper county preaching in the private houses and organizing little bands of Methodists into classes. One of these classes was organized at Avilla, then a thriving town. Among those who met in these early official meetings are the names of D. H. Budloug, J. K. Glassford, J. JS". Renfro, D. S. DeWitt, James Haygard, W. B, Hamelton, D. B. Reaves, Dr. Stemmons, and others. This territory now comprises seven charges, all self-supporting, maintaining their Sunday-schools and other church institutions. The Avilla charge, as it is now, has been under the following pastors: Revs, J. C. Willoughby, Eli Wills, A. M. Stephens, Isaac Er.twhistle, John Garner, E. Hopkins, A. Barber, Jasper A. Smith, and J. J, Martin, who is present pastor. The society is now building, and arranging to build, three new church-houses within the charge; one in the country, one at Jasper, and one at Chambersville. At Avilla there is a Sunday-school, with John J. Stemmons as superintendent, with an average of fifty in attendance. The church has a membership of 196.

Passage source: The History of Jasper County, Missouri : Including a Condensed History of the State, a Complete History of Carthage and Joplin, Other Towns and Townships : Together with Numerous Portraits of Prominent Men : Cuts of Elegant Residences and Public Buildings : a Sectional Map of the County : Biographical Sketches of Many Enterprising Farmers, Merchants, Mechanics, Professional, and Business Men : the Constitution of the State : an Abstract of Laws : an Elaborate History of Jasper County - Its Topography, Natural History, Pioneers, Organization, Political History, Courts and Bar, Religious, Educational, Medical, Agricultural, Mining, and Horticultural, Its Commercial and Business Interests, Etc, published 1883.

Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.

Read the whole chapter on McDonald Township - it names this place 30 more 30 times.