Daviess County, Missouri

Daviess County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2010 census, the population was 8,433.[1] Its county seat is Gallatin.[2] The county was organized December 29, 1836, from Ray County and named for Major Joseph Hamilton Daveiss, a soldier from Kentucky who was killed in 1811 at the Battle of Tippecanoe.[3]

This article is about the county in Missouri. For other uses, see Daviess County.
Daviess County
U.S. county
Daviess County Courthouse in Gallatin
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°58′N 93°59′W
Country United States
State Missouri
FoundedDecember 29, 1836
Named forMajor Joseph Hamilton Daveiss
SeatGallatin
Largest cityGallatin
Area
 • Total569 sq mi (1,470 km2)
 • Land563 sq mi (1,460 km2)
 • Water5.8 sq mi (15 km2)  1.0%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total8,433
 • Estimate 
(2018)
8,313
 • Density15/sq mi (5.7/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district6th

The county includes the town of Jamesport, which has the largest Amish community in Missouri.

History

According to Latter Day Saint movement founder Joseph Smith, Adam-ondi-Ahman, situated in the central part of the county, was where Adam and Eve relocated after being banished from the Garden of Eden. According to LDS tradition, the site is to be a gathering spot prior to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

In 1838, two years after the county was organized, Joseph Smith's claims about the history of the area spurred in an influx of Mormon settlers. Non-Mormon residents feared they were going to lose control of the county and attempted to prevent Mormons from voting in the Gallatin Election Day Battle. This was to be the first skirmish in the Mormon War. Later, in retaliation for violence to their families and destruction of their property, some Mormons burned and sacked Gallatin, Grindstone Fork, Millport and other smaller settlements. The plundered goods were deposited in the Bishop's storehouse at Diahman.[4] Millport, which at the time was the largest city in the county and the center for trade, never recovered, and became a ghost town.[5] Missouri Governor Lilburn Boggs issued an Extermination Order to drive the Mormons from the state after arresting Joseph Smith and other leaders of the church.

Daviess County played a major role in the history of the outlaw James-Younger Gang. The first confirmed bank robbery involving Jesse James occurred on December 7, 1869 at the Daviess County Savings Association in Gallatin. John W. Sheets, the bank cashier, was killed in the process by Jesse James, who believed Sheets was Samuel P. Cox, who had killed James's bushwhacker colleague Bloody Bill Anderson during the American Civil War. On July 15, 1881, the gang was believed to have been responsible for the robbery of the Rock Island Line at Winston in which a conductor and passenger were killed.

After Jesse James was murdered in St. Joseph, Frank James surrendered in 1882 to face Daviess County charges in connection with the train robbery/murder as well as murder charges in the 1869 bank robbery. Frank James was tried from August 20-September 6, 1883. Interest was so intense that the trial was moved to the Gallatin Opera House to accommodate the crowds. James was found not guilty of involvement in both crimes. Charges were made that the jury was filled with Southern sympathizers who refused to convict one of their own.

The Daviess County Savings Association and the Gallatin Opera House have since been torn down, although the Winston Rock Island Line train station still stands and is operated by the local historical society as a museum.

Daviess County has one of only three Rotary Jails still in existence. Also known as the "Squirrel Cage Jail," it is now a museum and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 569 square miles (1,470 km2), of which 563 square miles (1,460 km2) is land and 5.8 square miles (15 km2) (1.0%) is water.[6]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18402,736—
18505,29893.6%
18609,60681.3%
187014,41050.0%
188019,14532.9%
189020,4566.8%
190021,3254.2%
191017,605−17.4%
192016,641−5.5%
193014,424−13.3%
194013,398−7.1%
195011,180−16.6%
19609,502−15.0%
19708,420−11.4%
19808,9055.8%
19907,865−11.7%
20008,0161.9%
20108,4335.2%
2018 (est.)8,313[7]−1.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2015[1]

As of the 2010 census,[12] there were 8,433 people, 3,214 households, and 2,489 families residing in the county. The population density was 15 people per square mile (6/km2). There were 4,199 housing units at an average density of 7 per square mile (3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.02% White, 0.27% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.08% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. Approximately 1.03% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,214 households, out of which 31.92% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.81% were married couples living together, 8.06% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.34% were non-families. 24.64% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.89% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.70% under the age of 18, 7.02% from 18 to 24, 21.81% from 25 to 44, 27.38% from 45 to 64, and 17.09% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 98.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,925, and the median income for a family was $48,839. Males had a median income of $33,882 versus $28,891 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,900. About 9.80% of families and 13.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.50% of those under age 18 and 11.60% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2010), Daviess County is sometimes regarded as being on the northern edge of the Bible Belt, with evangelical Protestantism being the most predominant religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in Daviess County who adhere to a religion are Southern Baptists (30.78%), Disciples of Christ (9.12%), and Amish groups (7.07%).

Education

Of adults 25 years of age and older in Daviess County, 84.0% possess a high school diploma or higher, while 14.4% hold a bachelor's degree or higher as their highest educational attainment.

Public schools

Private schools

Public libraries
  • Daviess County Library[13]

Politics

Local

Politics are divided at the local level in Daviess County. Democrats hold a majority of the elected positions in the county.

Daviess County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor Sally Black Democratic
Circuit Clerk Pam Howard Democratic
County Clerk Ronetta Burton Republican
Collector Pam McNeal Democratic
Commissioner
(Presiding)		 Jim Ruse Republican
Commissioner
(District 1)		 David Cox Republican
Commissioner
(District 2)		 Wayne Uthe Republican
Coroner David W. McWilliams Democratic
Prosecuting Attorney Andrea (Annie) Gibson Democratic
Public Administrator Kayla Michael Republican
Recorder Jane McKinsey Democratic
Sheriff Ben Becerra Democratic
Treasurer Pam McNeal Democratic

State
Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 77.21% 2,975 20.11% 775 2.67% 103
2016 61.65% 2,300 34.87% 1,301 3.48% 130
2012 48.28% 1,697 48.11% 1,691 3.61% 127
2008 44.81% 1,683 52.42% 1,969 2.77% 104
2004 55.52% 2,091 42.96% 1,618 1.51% 57
2000 50.91% 1,768 46.18% 1,604 2.90% 101

All of Daviess County is a part of Missouri's 2nd District in the Missouri House of Representatives and is currently represented by J. Eggleston (R-Maysville). Eggleston was reelected to a fourth term in 2020.

Missouri House of Representatives – District 2 – Daviess County (2020)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican J. Eggleston 3,087 81.86% -16.83
Democratic Mindi Smith 684 18.14% +18.14
Missouri House of Representatives – District 2 – Daviess County (2018)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican J. Eggleston 2,633 98.69% -1.31
Write-ins 35 1.31%

All of Daviess County is a part of Missouri's 12th District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Dan Hegeman (R-Cosby). Hegeman won a second term in 2018.

Missouri Senate – District 12 – Daviess County (2018)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dan Hegeman 2,216 75.37% -24.63
Democratic Terry Richard 723 24.59% +24.59%
Write-ins 1 0.03%%
Missouri Senate – District 12 – Daviess County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dan Hegeman 1,460 100.00%

Federal

All of Daviess County is included in Missouri's 6th Congressional District and is currently represented by Sam Graves (R-Tarkio) in the U.S. House of Representatives. Graves was elected to an eleventh term in 2020 over Democratic challenger Gena Ross.

U.S. House of Representatives – Missouri’s 6th Congressional District – Daviess County (2020)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Sam Graves 3,098 81.25% +3.91
Democratic Gena L. Ross 633 16.60% -2.96
Libertarian Jim Higgins 82 2.15% -0.92
U.S. House of Representatives – Missouri's 6th Congressional District – Daviess County (2018)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Sam Graves 2,321 77.34% +0.83
Democratic Henry Robert Martin 587 19.56% -0.48
Libertarian Dan Hogan 92 3.07% +0.66
Write-ins 1 0.03%

Daviess County, along with the rest of the state of Missouri, is represented in the U.S. Senate by Josh Hawley (R-Columbia) and Roy Blunt (R-Strafford). McCaskill was elected to a second term in 2012 over Republican Congressman Todd Akin. She lost her bid for a third term in 2018 to Josh Hawley (R-Columbia).

U.S. Senate – Class I – Daviess County (2018)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Josh Hawley 2,063 68.65% 25.04
Democratic Claire McCaskill 815 27.12% -19.96
Independent Craig O'Dear 58 1.86%
Libertarian Japheth Campbell 45 1.50% -7.81
Green Jo Crain 23 0.77% +0.77
Write-Ins 3 0.10%

Blunt was elected to a second term in 2016 over then-Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander.

U.S. Senate - Class III - Daviess County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Roy Blunt 2,213 59.31% +15.70
Democratic Jason Kander 1,266 33.93% -13.15
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 149 3.99% -5.32
Constitution Fred Ryman 55 1.47% +1.47
Green Johnathan McFarland 48 1.29% +1.29

Political culture
Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 79.2% 3,077 19.1% 740 1.7% 67
2016 74.0% 2,767 19.5% 730 6.5% 241
2012 65.0% 2,290 32.0% 1,125 3.0% 106
2008 59.8% 2,263 37.0% 1,400 3.3% 123
2004 62.0% 2,351 37.0% 1,402 1.1% 41
2000 57.6% 2,011 39.1% 1,367 3.3% 116
1996 39.4% 1,321 45.8% 1,534 14.9% 498
1992 29.7% 1,107 39.6% 1,477 30.8% 1,148
1988 50.2% 1,765 49.6% 1,743 0.3% 10
1984 61.3% 2,414 38.7% 1,526
1980 53.3% 2,125 44.4% 1,770 2.2% 89
1976 45.8% 1,919 53.7% 2,250 0.5% 22
1972 66.5% 2,840 33.5% 1,430
1968 53.2% 2,288 39.0% 1,676 7.8% 334
1964 40.6% 1,874 59.4% 2,739
1960 59.0% 3,191 41.0% 2,220
1956 56.0% 3,326 44.0% 2,611
1952 61.2% 3,845 38.6% 2,424 0.2% 13
1948 49.6% 2,823 50.4% 2,868 0.0% 2
1944 58.3% 3,597 41.6% 2,567 0.1% 5
1940 56.3% 4,289 43.6% 3,325 0.1% 11
1936 49.7% 3,924 50.0% 3,953 0.3% 25
1932 39.8% 2,351 59.7% 3,523 0.5% 32
1928 60.3% 4,254 39.5% 2,789 0.2% 14
1924 51.4% 3,869 46.8% 3,520 1.8% 135
1920 54.9% 4,458 43.9% 3,560 1.2% 100
1916 49.1% 2,342 49.8% 2,375 1.2% 57
1912 23.7% 1,099 49.3% 2,284 27.0% 1,251
1908 50.1% 2,388 48.2% 2,294 1.7% 81
1904 50.3% 2,568 45.9% 2,344 3.8% 192
1900 45.3% 2,373 51.0% 2,670 3.8% 197
1896 42.3% 2,330 56.8% 3,125 0.9% 50
1892 42.6% 2,019 47.6% 2,257 9.9% 467
1888 44.2% 2,049 50.1% 2,320 5.7% 266

At the presidential level, Daviess County has become solidly Republican in recent years. Daviess County strongly favored Donald Trump in both 2016 and 2020. Bill Clinton was the last Democratic presidential nominee to carry Daviess County in 1996 with a plurality of the vote, and a Democrat hasn't won majority support from the county's voters in a presidential election since Jimmy Carter in 1976.

Like most rural areas throughout northwest Missouri, voters in Daviess County generally adhere to socially and culturally conservative principles which tend to influence their Republican leanings, at least on the state and national levels. In 2004, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman—it overwhelmingly passed in Daviess County with 79.58% of the vote. The initiative passed with 71% support from voters statewide. In 2006, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to fund and legalize embryonic stem cell research in the state—it failed in Daviess County with 50.96% voting against the measure. The initiative narrowly passed the state with 51% of support from voters as Missouri became one of the first states in the nation to approve embryonic stem cell research. Despite Daviess County's longstanding tradition of supporting socially conservative platforms, voters in the county have a penchant for advancing populist causes like increasing the minimum wage. In 2006, Missourians voted on a proposition (Proposition B) to increase the minimum wage in the state to $6.50 an hour—it passed Daviess County with 68.25% of the vote. The proposition strongly passed every single county in Missouri with 78.99% voting in favor. (During the same election, voters in five other states also strongly approved increases in the minimum wage.) In 2018, Missourians voted on a proposition (Proposition A) concerning right to work, the outcome of which ultimately reversed the right to work legislation passed in the state the previous year. 62.93% of Daviess County voters cast their ballots to overturn the law.

2020

The 2020 presidential primaries for both the Democratic and Republican parties were held in Missouri on March 10. On the Democratic side, former Vice President Joe Biden (D-Delaware) both won statewide and carried Daviess County by a wide margin.

Missouri Democratic Presidential Primary – Daviess County (2020)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Joe Biden 302 70.73
Democratic Bernie Sanders 94 22.01
Democratic Tulsi Gabbard 5 1.17
Democratic Others/Uncommitted 26 6.09

Incumbent President Donald Trump (R-Florida) faced a primary challenge from former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld, but won both Daviess County and statewide by large margins.

Missouri Republican Presidential Primary – Daviess County (2020)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Donald Trump 486 96.24
Republican Bill Weld 6 1.19
Republican Others/Uncommitted 13 2.57

2016

The 2016 presidential primaries for both the Republican and Democratic parties were held in Missouri on March 15. Businessman Donald Trump (R-New York) narrowly won the state overall, but carried a majority of the vote in Daviess County. He went on to win the presidency.

Missouri Republican Presidential Primary – Daviess County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Donald Trump 634 50.32
Republican Ted Cruz 410 32.54
Republican John Kasich 105 8.33
Republican Marco Rubio 74 5.87
Republican Others/Uncommitted 37 2.94

On the Democratic side, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (D-New York) both won statewide and carried Daviess County by a small margin.

Missouri Democratic Presidential Primary – Daviess County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Hillary Clinton 239 51.07
Democratic Bernie Sanders 221 47.22
Democratic Others/Uncommitted 8 1.71

2012

The 2012 Missouri Republican Presidential Primary's results were nonbinding on the state's national convention delegates. Voters in Daviess County supported former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R-Pennsylvania), who finished first in the state at large, but eventually lost the nomination to former Governor Mitt Romney (R-Massachusetts). Delegates to the congressional district and state conventions were chosen at a county caucus, which selected a delegation favoring Santorum. Incumbent President Barack Obama easily won the Missouri Democratic Primary and renomination. He defeated Romney in the general election.

2008

In 2008, the Missouri Republican Presidential Primary was closely contested, with Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) prevailing and eventually winning the nomination.

Missouri Republican Presidential Primary – Daviess County (2008)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican John McCain 236 29.99
Republican Mitt Romney 220 27.95
Republican Mike Huckabee 216 27.45
Republican Ron Paul 95 12.07
Republican Others/Uncommitted 20 2.54

Then-Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes than any candidate from either party in Daviess County during the 2008 presidential primary. Despite initial reports that Clinton had won Missouri, Barack Obama (D-Illinois), also a Senator at the time, narrowly defeated her statewide and later became that year's Democratic nominee, going on to win the presidency.

Missouri Democratic Presidential Primary – Daviess County (2008)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Hillary Clinton 534 62.75
Democratic Barack Obama 283 33.25
Democratic Others/Uncommitted 34 4.00

Communities

Cities

Villages

Census-designated place

Notable people

See also
  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Daviess County, Missouri

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. Eaton, David Wolfe (1916). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. pp. 283.
  4. LeSueur, Stephen C. (1990). The 1838 Mormon War in Missouri. University of Missouri Press. pp. 117–124. ISBN 9780826206268.
  5. Andrew Jensen (1889). The Historical Record, Volumes 5-8. p. 732.
  6. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  7. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/daviesscountymissouri. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  10. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  11. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  12. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  13. Breeding, Marshall. "Daviess County Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  14. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-03-25.

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