More than a college town: A history of Maryville
Dominic Genetti
Last updated: 6/16/08 at 10:59 AM CST Section: Community News
A small community was growing north of Savannah, Mo., in the 1840s and Amos and Mary Graham wanted to be apart of it.
They moved north in 1845 and became early settlers of the newly incorporated Nodaway County.
"Many people from Savannah, that were there for a year or two came up here to organize the county," local historian Tom Carneal said.
Not wasting any time, the Grahams became one of the many in the community that wanted to see the area grow.
While Mary operated a local shop and spent her time helping the community, Amos became the first county clerk, recorder, circuit clerk and probate clerk.
Amos also practiced law during the Civil War and served a year in the Missouri Legislature.
When time came to develop a county seat for Nodaway, honor was in store for Amos given his success.
"People wanted to honor Amos for his role and he wanted his wife honored," Carneal said.
To fulfill his request, the community the Grahams traveled to, was decreed the county seat for it's central location and named Maryville for Mary Graham.
"They wanted Maryville to be the county seat and then it would be a trade center," Carneal said.
There is also a town in Nodaway County named Graham, however, Carneal said it has no connection Amos and Mary.
Maryville grew and became the place for citizens of surrounding communities to shop, work, vote and receive and send mail.
"We didn't have all of these districts and things that we have today," Carneal said.
Amos died in 1865, a victim of typhoid fever. Mary died in 1903, two years before Northwest was established.
The Grahams are buried in Maryville at Oak Hill. Cemetery. Their home still stands today at the northwest corner of Edwards and Buchanan streets.
They moved north in 1845 and became early settlers of the newly incorporated Nodaway County.
"Many people from Savannah, that were there for a year or two came up here to organize the county," local historian Tom Carneal said.
Not wasting any time, the Grahams became one of the many in the community that wanted to see the area grow.
While Mary operated a local shop and spent her time helping the community, Amos became the first county clerk, recorder, circuit clerk and probate clerk.
Amos also practiced law during the Civil War and served a year in the Missouri Legislature.
When time came to develop a county seat for Nodaway, honor was in store for Amos given his success.
"People wanted to honor Amos for his role and he wanted his wife honored," Carneal said.
To fulfill his request, the community the Grahams traveled to, was decreed the county seat for it's central location and named Maryville for Mary Graham.
"They wanted Maryville to be the county seat and then it would be a trade center," Carneal said.
There is also a town in Nodaway County named Graham, however, Carneal said it has no connection Amos and Mary.
Maryville grew and became the place for citizens of surrounding communities to shop, work, vote and receive and send mail.
"We didn't have all of these districts and things that we have today," Carneal said.
Amos died in 1865, a victim of typhoid fever. Mary died in 1903, two years before Northwest was established.
The Grahams are buried in Maryville at Oak Hill. Cemetery. Their home still stands today at the northwest corner of Edwards and Buchanan streets.
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