The following is courtesy of Wayne Country Historical Facebook Page
To many in Wayne County, Chaonia (Shaw-nee), is just a name that our grandparents used. It was the birthplace of Eva Mae Davis.
Many do not realize, the now submerged ghost town under Wappapello Lake, was as thriving as Greenville, Williamsville and Piedmont. Dr. Elijah Bettis, Sr., the first known Greenville settler, died in the 1830’s and left his son Overton Bettis his plantation south east of Greenville on the St. Francis River. This area and community, in future times, would become known as Chaonia.
Overton Bettis was the first sheriff and collector of Wayne County. He inherited over 2000 acres and 22 slaves from his late father. The area began to start becoming populated in the 1840’s. In 1848 the Bethel Baptist Church was organized and thrived for nearly 100 years. Favorite ministers throughout the years included, J.W. Duren, H.Y. Mabrey, W.P. Kime and G.R. Whitt. In 1887 Bethel had 84 members. By 1904 they reported 141.
A rural school, called “Bethel”, was organized in 1879 and existed in different locations until 1951. Bethel was the first teaching position of Samuel A. Baker, a future Governor of the State of Missouri.
In 1887 a gentleman named Peter F. Wells bought 557 acres of the original Bettis property. The community, briefly, was known as “Wellsdale”. The Houck Railway from Cape Girardeau reached Wappapello in 1884. Wells saw a vision of a thriving town, and he deeded 45 acres for a townsite in hopes the railway would continue farther east. His hopes came true and on April 1, 1888 the railroad reached “Wellsdale”.
A post office was applied for and the name “Wellsdale” was rejected, as Wellsdale, Mo., already existed in Montgomery County. Louis Haulk suggested “Chaonia”, in honor of a Shawnee Native American chief.
Dr. John L. Allison became the first Postmaster on March 26, 1888. Mrs. Edna Allard was the last when the post office was discontinued on December 7, 1940 with service through Williamsville. Other postmasters included; John F. Sutherlin, Allen A. Hendricks, Sr., Oliver Woodruff, Henry C. Wright, Nellie Smith, Thomas G. Bailey, Nathan F. Shelton, John A. Harris, Hugh Anderson, T.J. “Jeff” Kime, Abram Metcalf, Charles W. Milster, Mrs. Imogene Fox, William L. Allison and Mrs. Minnie Alexander.
The hamlet grew and by the turn of the 20th century was home of nearly 400 residents. Sawmills, stores, blacksmith shops, all existed. A thriving agricultural community at nearby Lost Creek and Kime, wanted to utilize Chaonia as a place to sell livestock, produce and fruits of their crops.
The communities pressured the county commissioners, and on May 18, 1905 the Wayne county court awarded a contract to have a steel bridge built across the St. Francis River to Chaonia. This made the community grow extensively. On August 24, 1907 the Chaonia State Bank was chartered. The first President was O.W. Holtz. Other Directors at the bank throughout the years were, Hugh Anderson, Early F. Wells, David Shelton, James Sollers, David L. Garrison, J.A. Estes, Abram Metcalf, T.J. Kime and C.W. Milster. The bank closed June 14, 1926.
In 1915 a two year high school was organized and educated many students in their freshman and sophomore years. The last classes at the high school were in 1939.
The Chaonia Methodist Church was organized in 1918. It only existed 5 years. The Pastors included, J.W. Ellis, W.W. Selby and G.W. Ownbey.
On May 30, 1917 a devastating and fatal tornado ripped through the Chaonia community. It took the lives of Ben Montgomery, his wife Myrtle, son Lee, daughters, Mary, Susan and Pauline, as well as Willie Ward and Augusta Bennett Atnip.
Like many other communities in Wayne County, once the railroad heyday was done the little towns slowly declined. This was the fate with Chaonia. The last nail in the coffin was the construction of Wappapello Dam. The Lake waters today drown most of the evidence of the past community.
Good job son. Great read
Wow! This is great. I love learning about family history and what happened to the towns they knew and grew up in. Thanks so much, Steve. We appreciate all you do.
This year is Wayne County’s Bicentennial. We are working on a book to commemorate this event. I was wondering if you have any other photos of Chaonia? Also, I would like permission to reprint part of this history in the Bicentennial book.
This is the only picture I have of Chaonia. My mother was born there. You may reprint anything you find on the website.
My grandparents and great grandparents are buried at the Chaonia cemetery. Their names are McClure. My grandfather was Ed McClure and my grandmother’s name was Lydia McClure. Do you know if they have any reunions there?
Danny,
My apologies for taking so long to get back to you. Asked around the older folks in the family and no one knows any McClures. When we’re there in 3 months, we’ll ask around and see what we can dig up.
Steve Holland
I just learned that my great-grandmother Matilda Crowley was from Chaonia. Im still trying to find her maiden name. My grandpa worked for the Corps of Engineers back in the 30’s on the lake. They lived on a farm on the St Francis when it ran wild.Seems like it was called Beaver dam. Many wonderful stories about those days on the river.
My Dad, Leonard Henson, was born 1912 in Chaonia. His Dad and Mom were Ben and Lucy(Lovelace) Henson. My Mom was born 1916 in Ojibway
My mom was born in Chaonia 1930. Last name was Page and her grandfather owned a general store there. His last name was Beaty. They all move to Poplar Bluff after the damn was constructed.
Thanks for the comment. I don’t suppose you have any pictures of you mom in Chaonia? I’ve done research and have only found a few. As far as I know, I haven’t seen any connections between the Atnips and the Beatys or Pages.
My grandparents were born in Chaonia. My mom can remember sitting in the back of their truck filled with furniture, taking a last tour on their way out of town. Wappappello Lake.
You might be interested to know that we likely have a common Patriot ancestor. If you are interested in lineage or DAR, let me know.
Steve,
We have a bunch of old family photos, but they are in boxes at my brothers house and he is off on deployment. To be honest I really wouldn’t know if the photos were from Chaonia or old Greenville. My dad’s family lived in both old and new Greenville. Have you seen the book Wayne’s County Lost River Settlements? The author, Cletis Ellinghouse, was an old friend my dad from Greenville and talks about both Chaonia and Greenville some. He mentions the Pages and Winchester Beaty in his book. But again, it is at my brothers house.
Steve,
I have a lot of old family photos in boxes at my brother’s house, but he is on deployment. But I couldn’t tell you if they were from chaonia or old Greenville. My dad lived in Greenville. Have you seen the book Wayne’s County Lost River Settlements? The author (cletis ellinghouse) mentions the Page’s and Winchester Beaty in the section on Chaonia. Lots of stories and names in the book. Again it is at my brothers house.
I really wish we could have gotten some of my relatives to save their photos. We’ve saved a lot but not as many as we could have. My mom’s brothers and sisters are getting older and we’re trying to take every opportunity to get stories and photos from them. I spent 25 years in the Air Force and retired in 2007. Hope your brother is doing well. Thank him for his service.
Steve HOlland
My Grandmother Blanche Ramsey Tanner was born at Lost Creek, along with all her brothers and sisters. My Grandfather was Robert J (RJ Ramsey) he was born at Black River Township in 1852. His father, John Ramsey came from Kentucky in the 1830 and resided there until his death at Bethel in about 1880 or thereabouts. My Grandmother was Elizabeth or “Lizzie” Bettis. I have not been able to trace this connection out, but it is clearly written on her death certificate. RJ is buried at Wappapello Cemetery on the far West side. Lizzie is buried in the Puxico Cemetery along with Blanche. My Grandmother Blanche married Thomas Ed Tanner of Puxico, Missouri. I would really appreciate “any or all” information that anyone can find and forward to me. The articles have been great and very informative. I did not realize this much history was right under my nose all of my youth.
I need to revise my statement just a little. I spoke of my Grandmother Blanche Ramsey Tanner. Her mother Lizzie Bettis Ramsey was my Great Grandmother and RJ Ramey was my Great Grandfather. That would make John Ramey, my Great Great Grandfather. By the way, they were Scots and were redheads.
My Great Grandfather, David Daniel Cozort, had an extensive amount of land taken when they flooded to create Lake Wappapello. I am trying to locate where his property, ‘Cozort Point’ was located. Any leads would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Traci,
Good luck with that. There just isn’t much I can find about the towns/property that is now lying under Lake Wappapello. We’re having our reunion there again in July so I’ll ask any of the locals if they’ve heard of it as well as asking my Aunts and Uncles if they’ve heard anything about it.
My grandfather Charles Henry “Jack” Forister (born 5/7/1893 d. 2/24/61) he was raised in Chaonia, the son of William M. Forister and Nancy Jane Neal. Their other children were Walter, Rube(n) and Rose Ann Forister Griffith. His whole life, my g’pa Jack told his wife & children he was adopted and only had one brother Rube. A few years ago, I found out from Robert H. Forister (son of Otho U Forister) the actual details of his parents & siblings and that he was abandoned by his parents and left with relatives who raised he and his 2 brothers (including Hiram & Laura Forister and Munroe Douglas). The youngest son, Rube never learned to read or write (even as an adult). Charles married Lena Mae Frazee and the resided in St. Louis and Florida and had three daughters (Deloris, Wanda & Arlene) and a son who died as an infant. My mother Wanda recently passed at 92 y/o and was quite surprised to find out her dad’s story. I’ve since discovered some interesting stories about my g’pa Jack ‘s life and family (including proof he DID know who his family was and that he was raised with and near his 3 siblings) and I have a few photos and would love to share info with anyone who knew the family or other info.
I’ll ask my relatives to see if any of them knew the family.
STeve