Cass County, Missouri

This article is based on the corresponding article in another wiki. For Familypedia purposes, it requires significantly more historical detail on phases of this location's development. The ideal article for a place will give the reader a feel for what it was like to live at that location at the time their relatives were alive there. Also desirable are links to organizations that may be repositories of genealogical information..
Please help to improve this page yourself if you can.

Cass County, Missouri
County courthouse in Harrisonville
Location in the state of Missouri
Missouri's location in the U.S.
Founded	March 3, 1835
Named for	Lewis Cass
Seat	Harrisonville
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	702 sq mi (1,818 km²) 697 sq mi (1,805 km²) 5.7 sq mi (15 km²), 0.8
Population  - (2020)  - Density	107,824
Congressional district	4th
Time zone	Central: UTC-6/-5
Website	http://www.casscounty.com/

Cass County is a county located in the western part of the U.S. state of Missouri and is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census, the population was 107,824. Its county seat is Harrisonville, however the county contains a portion of Kansas City, Missouri. The county was organized in 1835 as Van Buren County, but was renamed in 1849 after U.S. Senator Lewis Cass of Michigan, who later became a presidential candidate.

History

The Harrisonville area was long inhabited by speakers of the Dhegihan Siouan-language family: The Osage, Quapaw, Omaha, Ponca and Kansa tribes make up this sub-group. The Kansa tribal range extended southward from the Kansas-Missouri River junction as far as the northern edge of present-day Bates County, Missouri, taking in the sites of modern Pleasant Hill, Garden City, Archie and Drexel. On their southeastern border they were neighbors of the Osage. There is no evidence that either of these tribes ever had a truly permanent settlement in the territory of Cass County.

Other historical tribes in the area were reportedly Shawnee and Lenape (aka Delaware), whose tribes spoke related Algonquian languages. The Lenape had been pushed to the Midwest from their territory along the mid-Atlantic coast by continuous white encroachment.

In 1818 the United States had granted land to the Lenape in southern Missouri Territory, but they were forced to cede it back in 1825, after Missouri became a state. At that time, they were removed to a reservation in Kansas. Other Lenape had previously migrated south to Texas, seeking refuge in what was still Mexican territory after it gained independence from Spain. Those who remained in the Harrisonville area were close relatives of the Sauk, Fox and Kickapoo tribes.

The early camp meetings held by European-American settlers southwest of Harrisonville often attracted as many as 500 Indians, in addition to Europeans. They seemed the enthusiastic religious services, accompanied by hymn singing and socializing, as much as the white settlers did.

The first European-American settler on the site of modern Harrisonville was James Lackey in 1830. Other early settlers were Humphrey Hunt, John Blythe, and Dr. Joseph Hudspeth. Lackey was considered a "squatter," as he built a cabin and enclosed a small field on the tract of public land taken to establish the county seat.

The site of the town was fixed under an act of the Missouri General Assembly in 1835, by David Waldo of Lafayette County and Samuel Hink and William Brown, both of Jackson County. In the same year, the first court met for the county, known as Van Buren County. Justices James McClellan and William Savage met in McClellan's residence about three miles (5 km) southeast of Peculiar on September 14, 1835. William Lyon was appointed clerk of the court and county government was organized, including the establishment of Grand River Township.

In the spring of 1837 the town of Harrisonville was platted by Enoch Rice, Francis Prine and Welcome Scott, who had been appointed commissioners by the state legislature in the winter of 1836. These commissioners, in company with Martin Rice, the county surveyor, met at the home of John Cook on April 3, 1837, to resolve Lackey's preemption claim. In May they laid off the town in lots 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the northeast and northwest quarters of Section 4, Township 44N., Range 31W. Within these 160 acres (0.65 km²) there were to be four streets: Wall and Pearl running east to west, and Lexington and Independence going north and south, each less than 40 feet wide. Fleming Harris was appointed town commissioner on April 8, 1837. The first town lots were sold on June 12 of that year; those facing the public square sold at $20 each, the others at $10.

"Democrat" was strongly urged as a name for the new town but was finally rejected. The town was named after U.S. Representative Albert G. Harrison from Missouri. The first house within the town was erected by Jason L. Dickey in 1836. The first jail in Harrisonville and second for Cass County was established in 1838. Its site was 312 S. Independence. One of its successors is recognized among the state's historic sites.

On October 8, 1835, the first church in Harrisonville was organized. Its site was two miles southwest of town and it was known as Hopewell or New Hope Baptist.

Harrisonville eventually was served by railroad lines known as the Missouri Pacific and the Frisco. After a scandal in funding railroad construction by the issuance of bonds, three men involved in the swindle were shot and killed by a mob on April 24, 1872, when their train was stopped on a Katy railroad spur. This became known as the "Gunn City Massacre" because it took place near that city.

In 1857 Cass County had approved a large stock subscription for the Pacific Railroad Company, to support its construction in the area. This corporation later surrendered the bonds to the new Saint Louis and Santa Fe Railroad, from whence they were later assigned to the Land Grant Railroad & Construction Company of New York City. Residents of Cass County gained a court injunction in an effort to prevent the funding of these bonds, but by legal maneuvering and collusion, the company gained a new set of bonds, issued secretly.

The populace was outraged, believing this maneuver was intended to benefit the holders of the now worthless bonds, by re-obligating the county to pay those same bonds. The county attorney, a judge of the county court, and a third man involved in the scandal were shot and killed while on a train stopped between Bryson, Missouri and Paola, Kansas. (It was in or near what is now known as Gunn City). Afterward some 41 men were arrested as suspects and prosecuted for these killings, but none was convicted. At the time of the shootings, a related mob burned a Republican newspaper owned by Porter J. Coston, in Harrisonville, Missouri.

By 1860, the year before the Civil War, 12 cities in Missouri had populations of approximately 2,500 or more. Harrisonville ranked 37th, with a population of 675. In 1863 the town was depopulated, as the United States forces pushed the people out in an effort to reduce any local support for insurgent guerrilla activity in the area. Most of the buildings were burned, the jail among them. Fort Harrisonville was a Union stronghold for a brief period in 1863 and provided protection for loyal Union families.

Some of the county's local history is presented at the Pleasant Hill Historical Society Museum, in Pleasant Hill on the northern edge of the county.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 702 square miles (1,820 km²), of which 697 square miles (1,810 km²) is land and 5.7 square miles (15 km²) (0.8%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Jackson County (north)
• Johnson County (east)
• Henry County (southeast)
• Bates County (south)
• Miami County, Kansas (west)
• Johnson County, Kansas (northwest)

Major highways

• Interstate 49
• U.S. Route 71
• Route 2
• Route 7
• Route 58
• Route 291

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1840	4,693		—
1850	6,090		29.8%
1860	9,794		60.8%
1870	19,296		97.0%
1880	22,431		16.2%
1890	23,301		3.9%
1900	23,636		1.4%
1910	22,973		−2.8%
1920	21,536		−6.3%
1930	20,962		−2.7%
1940	19,534		−6.8%
1950	19,325		−1.1%
1960	29,702		53.7%
1970	39,748		33.8%
1980	51,029		28.4%
1990	63,808		25.0%
2000	82,092		28.7%
2010	99,478		21.2%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2020

As of the census of 2000, there were 82,092 people, 30,168 households, and 22,988 families residing in the county. The population density was 117 people per square mile (45/km²). There were 31,677 housing units at an average density of 45 per square mile (18/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.62% White, 1.42% Black or African American, 0.58% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.50% from other races, and 1.35% from two or more races. Approximately 2.21% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 30,168 households, out of which 38.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.60% were married couples living together, 9.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.80% were non-families. 20.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.40% under the age of 18, 7.30% from 18 to 24, 30.20% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 11.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 95.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $49,562, and the median income for a family was $55,258. Males had a median income of $39,001 versus $26,174 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,073. About 4.20% of families and 5.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.00% of those under age 18 and 5.20% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2010), Cass 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 Cass County who adhere to a religion are Southern Baptists (43.71%), Roman Catholics (17.42%), and United Methodists (11.07%).

Education

Public schools

• Archie R-V School District – Archie
  • Cass County Elementary School (PK-06)
  • Archie High School (07-12)
• Belton School District No. 124 – Belton
  • Grace Early Childhood Education Center (PK)
  • Cambridge Elementary School (K-04)
  • Scott Elementary School (K-04)
  • Hillcrest Elementary School (K-04)
  • Gladden Elementary School (K-04)
  • Kentucky Trail Elementary School (K-04)
  • Mill Creek Upper Elementary School (05-06)
  • Belton Middle School/Freshman Center (07-09)
  • Belton High School (10-12)
• Drexel R-IV School District – Drexel
  • Drexel Elementary School (K-06)
  • Drexel High School (07-12)
• East Lynne School District No. 40 – East Lynne
  • East Lynne Elementary School (PK-08)
• Harrisonville R-IX School District – Harrisonville
  • Early Childhood Center (PK-K)
  • Harrisonville Elementary School (01-05)
  • McEowen Elementary School (04-05)
  • Harrisonville Middle School (06-08)
  • Harrisonville High School (09-12)
• Midway R-I School District – Cleveland
  • Midway Elementary School (K-06)
  • Midway High School (07-12)
• Pleasant Hill R-III School District – Pleasant Hill
  • Pleasant Hill Primary School (PK-02)
  • Pleasant Hill Elementary School (03-04)
  • Pleasant Hill Intermediate School (05-06)
  • Pleasant Hill Middle School (07-08)
  • Pleasant Hill High School (09-12)
• Raymore-Peculiar R-II School District – Peculiar
  • Raymore Elementary School (K-05)
  • Creekmoor Elementary School (K-05)
  • Stonegate Elementary School (K-05)
  • Timber Creek Elementary School (K-05)
  • Peculiar Elementary School (K-05)
  • Shull Early Learning Center
  • Bridle Ridge Elementary School (K-05)
  • Eagle Glen Elementary School (K-05)
  • Raymore-Peculiar East Middle School (06-08)
  • Raymore-Peculiar South Middle School (06-08)
  • Raymore-Peculiar High School (09-12)
• Sherwood Cass R-VIII School District – Creighton
  • Sherwood Elementary School (K-05)
  • Sherwood Middle School (06-08)
  • Sherwood High School (09-12)
• Strasburg C-3 School District – Strasburg
  • Strasburg Elementary School (K-08)

Private schools

• Hope Baptist Christian School – Pleasant Hill (01-12) – Baptist
• Harrisonville Christian School – Harrisonville (PK-08) – Nondenominational Christian
• Training Center Christian School – Garden City (PK-12) – Pentecostal
• Heartland High School & Academy – Belton (PK-12) – Baptist
• Blue Ridge Christian School South – Belton (PK-06) – Nondenominational Christian

Public libraries

• Cass County Public Library

Politics

Local

Local politics are controlled by the Republican Party in Cass County.

Cass County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor	Roger Raffety			Republican
Circuit Clerk	Kim York			Republican
County Clerk	Jeff Fletcher			Republican
Collector	Chris Molendorp			Republican
Commissioner (Presiding)	Bob Huston			Republican
Commissioner (District 1)	Monty Kisner			Republican
Commissioner (District 2)	Ryan Johnson			Republican
Prosecuting Attorney	Ben Butler			Republican
Public Administrator	Randy Jones			Republican
Recorder	Mike Medsker			Republican
Sheriff	Jeff Weber			Republican
Treasurer	Steve Cheslik			Republican

State

Past Gubernatorial Elections Results

Year	Republican	Democratic	Third Parties
2020	64.80% 37,025	32.85% 18,770	2.36% 1,347
2016	56.05% 28,571	40.64% 20,713	3.31% 1,688
2012	49.19% 23,837	47.81% 23,168	3.00% 1,454
2008	45.77% 22,592	52.18% 25,754	2.05% 1,010
2004	53.53% 23,538	44.97% 19,772	1.49% 659
2000	52.74% 18,777	45.18% 16,084	2.08% 742
1996	38.32% 11,038	59.21% 17,055	2.47% 710

Political culture

United States presidential election results for Cass County, Missouri

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	37,197	64.61%	19,052	33.09%	1,319	2.29%
2016	33,098	64.38%	14,846	28.88%	3,466	6.74%
2012	30,912	62.95%	17,044	34.71%	1,148	2.34%
2008	29,695	58.99%	19,844	39.42%	802	1.59%
2004	27,253	61.63%	16,681	37.73%	283	0.64%
2000	20,113	56.07%	14,921	41.60%	835	2.33%
1996	13,495	46.52%	11,743	40.48%	3,772	13.00%
1992	10,349	34.61%	10,246	34.26%	9,310	31.13%
1988	12,799	55.75%	10,092	43.96%	67	0.29%
1984	14,456	65.79%	7,517	34.21%	0	0.00%
1980	10,105	52.81%	8,198	42.85%	831	4.34%
1976	7,182	43.98%	9,008	55.16%	140	0.86%
1972	9,242	71.24%	3,731	28.76%	0	0.00%
1968	5,271	45.14%	4,468	38.26%	1,938	16.60%
1964	3,665	35.50%	6,658	64.50%	0	0.00%
1960	6,523	53.29%	5,718	46.71%	0	0.00%
1956	5,589	50.06%	5,575	49.94%	0	0.00%
1952	6,000	54.04%	5,089	45.84%	13	0.12%
1948	3,614	39.96%	5,415	59.87%	16	0.18%
1944	4,687	51.84%	4,347	48.08%	7	0.08%
1940	4,983	47.55%	5,479	52.29%	17	0.16%
1936	4,070	41.31%	5,731	58.17%	52	0.53%
1932	3,009	34.01%	5,772	65.24%	66	0.75%
1928	5,299	59.11%	3,647	40.68%	18	0.20%
1924	3,610	42.17%	4,709	55.01%	242	2.83%
1920	4,055	44.15%	5,030	54.76%	100	1.09%
1916	2,104	37.95%	3,337	60.19%	103	1.86%
1912	1,034	18.38%	3,247	57.70%	1,346	23.92%
1908	2,193	39.84%	3,143	57.10%	168	3.05%
1904	2,375	44.36%	2,750	51.36%	229	4.28%
1900	2,162	37.85%	3,350	58.65%	200	3.50%
1896	2,229	35.50%	3,975	63.31%	75	1.19%
1892	1,908	35.23%	3,027	55.89%	481	8.88%
1888	2,095	40.03%	3,015	57.60%	124	2.37%

Cass County was, up to World War II, solidly Democratic rooted in its strong secessionist sympathies during the Civil War. However, since 1952 it has become a strongly Republican county in presidential elections. Cass County strongly favored Donald Trump in both 2016 and 2020. The last Democratic candidate to carry the county was Jimmy Carter in 1976.

Voters in Cass County generally adhere to socially and culturally conservative principles which tend to influence their Republican leanings. Despite Cass County's longstanding tradition of supporting socially conservative platforms, voters in the county have a penchant for advancing populist causes. 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. 66.33% of Cass County voters cast their ballots to overturn the law.

Communities

Cities

• Archie
• Belton
• Cleveland
• Creighton
• Drexel
• East Lynne
• Freeman
• Garden City
• Harrisonville (county seat)
• Kansas City (mostly in Jackson, Platte and Clay Counties)
• Lake Annette
• Lake Winnebago
• Lee's Summit (mostly in Jackson County)
• Peculiar
• Pleasant Hill
• Raymore
• Strasburg

Villages

• Baldwin Park
• Gunn City
• Riverview Estates
• West Line

Census-designated places

• Loch Lloyd
• Martin City

Unincorporated Communities

• Austin
• Coleman
• Daugherty
• Dayton
• Everett
• Jaudon
• Lisle
• Lone Tree
• Main City
• Wingate

Notable people

• Robert C. Bell, federal judge
• Angelica Bridges, actress, model, and singer
• Delmer Brown, Japanologist* Emmett Dalton, of the bank-robbing Dalton Gang
• Carson Coffman, AFL player
• Chase Coffman, NFL tight end
• Paul Coffman, NFL player* Tyler Farr, Country music singer-songwriter
• Brutus Hamilton, decathlete and track and field coach
• Ben Hardaway, storyboard artist, animator, voice actor, gagman, writer, and director during the Golden Age of American animation
• Vicky Hartzler, U.S. Representative from Missouri (2011-present)
• Kevin Hern, U.S. Representative from Oklahoma (2018-present)
• Ewing Kauffman, businessman who founded Marion Laboratories and was the first owner of the Kansas City Royals
• Chris Koster, 41st Attorney General of Missouri (2009-2017)
• Tammy Faye Messner, televangelist
• Carrie Nation, leader of temperance movement
• Edward Capehart O'Kelley, man who killed Robert Ford, who killed Jesse James* Tate Stevens, 2012 winner of The X Factor
• Oad Swigart, professional baseball player
• Glenn Wright, professional baseball player

See also

• List of counties in Missouri
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Cass County, Missouri

Further reading

• Glenn, Allen. History of Cass County, Missouri (1917) online

External links

• Cass County government link's website
• Digitized 1930 Plat Book of Cass County from University of Missouri Division of Special Collections, Archives, and Rare Books