Business, Population and Census of Jameson
More Business
A new flouring-mill was erected in the spring of 1877, and for the
size is one of the best mills in the county. It was in working order
on the 1st of April. The machinery is all of the most approved
pattern, and the flour is of a superior quality.
Jameson has been steadily growing. It has not " boomed," as some
would say, but it is the only town in Grand River township, and as
the township grows, so does Jameson. Her merchants are enterprising,
and they not only make a market for the productions of the township,
but purchase all that is brought in or can be induced to come there
from other sections of the country. This making a market and selling
all kinds of goods at low prices has given a great impetus to trade,
and probably few towns in this section of Missouri does as large a
business for its size as Jameson. It is the home of sound business
judgment and enlightened progress.
Population
In 1860 Grand River township had a population of 2,122, forty-three
of whom were colored. Jamesport was then a town and it had
fifty-nine persons within its limits. In 1860 Grand River township
covered a good deal of territory, and as the county judges were in
the habit of changing boundary lines, making new townships, and then
blotting them out at the next term of the court, it is hard to know
just what" the gains and improvements in each township were up to
1870. In 1869 Union was made from Gallatin and Grand River
townships. The same year 0 rant or Jamesport was taken from Grand
River and Jackson, and in 1870 Lincoln and Washington were taken
from Grand River. This left the township with its present limits.
In 1870 then, the township after being cut up, had 1,086 whites and
seven colored, or a total population of 1,093. There was really no
village in the township. Prairie City did have a name, and was
located in the north part of the township, but it never Boasted of
many houses, and is now only known as a farm. Its history is more of
tradition than actual fact.
The census of 1880 is before us, and the population of Grand River
township is as follows:
In 1880 it was 1,652
In 1870, as before reported, was
Giving a gain of 559
Over fifty percent the last decade. The population of Jameson in 1880 was 405; at the present time it exceeds five hundred.
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