Ralls County
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Ralls County is in the northeast part of the state. It is bounded on the north by Marion County; northeast by the Mississippi River which separates it from Illinois, east and southeast by Pike County; south by Pike and Audrain Counties; and west by Monroe County. It has a land area of 308,000 acres.
The first permanent settler on land now in Ralls County was James Ryan, whose deed for a tract of land on Salt River near the mouth of Turkey Creek was dated September, 1811. The majority of the pioneers were natives of Kentucky and Virginia, though some of them had lived in St. Louis before taking up their residence in Ralls County.
Ralls County territory, upon the acquisition of Louisiana by the United States, was in the District of St. Charles. Later included in St. Charles County, and then in Pike when that county was organized in 1818. Ralls County was created out of a part of Pike by legislative act of November 16, 1820, and was named in honor of Daniel Ralls, the first representative to the State Legislature from Pike County, and who died during the session.
During the Mexican War a company of mounted volunteers was organized in the county by authority of Governor Edwards. The company was placed under command of Captain William S. Lafland, and in May, 1847, mustered into the United States service and served actively until the close of the war, taking part in some important battles. During the Civil War Ralls County furnished troops to both the Northern and Southern armies, the greater number serving under the Federal flag.
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University of Missouri Extension Ralls County rallsco@missouri.edu Site maintained by James E. Meyer MeyerJE@.missouri.edu Updated 05/24/04 |
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