| "Early History of Chouteau Township" June 1981 Patricia Polley, Speaker The Indians were the earliest inhabitants of Chouteau Township which lies wholly in the American Bottom and was once covered with heavy timbers of oak, elm, walnut, hickory, ash, etc. The French made settlements on Chouteau Island about 1750. Here the French raised horses of Arabian Breed brought to this country by the Spaniards. They shipped them in flat boats and marketed them down the river in New Orleans. They also planted apple and pear orchards. The first great flood ever recorded was in 1770, and these settlements were probably destroyed at that time. Mr. Amos Atkins, who was born on the island in 1821, remembers that as a mere boy the orchard planted by the French had trees at least a food and a half in diameter. Many years ago the island was known as Big Island but was later called Chouteau after Pierre Chouteau. It is from this island that the Township received its name. The honor of the first white settlement in Madison County belongs unquestionably to Chouteau Township. It was made by the James Gillhams about 1800. Gillham and his family settled at the head of Long Lake. This settlement was later known as the old Hackethal farm. Today, much of this land has been used for Highways 203 and 270. Charles Dejailais, a Frenchman, operated a ferry at the head of Chouteau Island, in section 17 making trips to the island as well as the west bank of the Mississippi. This land was subsequently owned by Samuel Gillham. From some of the early recollections of Samuel Gillham we learn that in 1811 the Indians manifested a war-like spirit, giving evidence to the settlers that it would be wise to prepare for an emergency in case of any hostile acts by the Indians. They had already murdered one and wounded another near Hunters Spring, now within the city of Alton. This act threw the people into a fever of excitement, and they gathered together and erected a block house, situated in section 1, now incorporated as part of South Roxana. It was understood by all the families that in case of any signs of Indian hostility they were to flee to the fort for protection. This building was later utilized as a school house beginning in 1813 and taught by Vaitch Clark. The first marriage issued under the authority of Madison County was to James Gillham and Polly Good in 1809 who settled in section 1 and on whose property undoubtedly this fort was erected. Justices of the Peace, at an early day in Chouteau, were unknown because the township was sparsely settled. Those in the south, having any business before a magistrate, would take their cases before Samuel Squires, in Nameoki. Those in the Gillham settlement would go to Alton, and those in the northeast to Edwardsville. "Old Madison" was a hamlet established in this township about 1830 by Nathaniel Buckmaster and John Montgomery and situated in section 17. Serious inroads have been made in sections 11, 12 and 17. A good part of these sections now lie wholly within the river. In its glory it contained a store, blacksmith and wagon shop, one saloon and a post office established in 1839 with Moses Job as postmaster. At the time a stage line extended from Galena to St. Louis, and Old Madison was situated on the route. "Old Madison" was washed away by the flood of 1865 and is no more. The first mill in the township was built by a man named Dare, about 1819 or 1820 and located in section 32. A small distillery was connected with it. Salem, another hamlet is located in the northeast corner of section 1. It received its name from the Old Salem Church, which is situated just across the line in Wood River Township. The place was subsequently named Gillham. In 1874 J.K. Fahnestock opened a store there and the following year a post office established and called Wanda. Bush Corner is located in section 16 and in 1882 contained two grocery stores, one owned by Mr.s. H. Marsha and the other by Henry Oldenburg. Mitchell Station was laid out by the C & A Railway Company and is situated in the northeast quarter of section 33 and the northwest quarter of section 34. In the late 1800's the town contained two general stores, one of which was owned by the firm of Hinze and Krueger and the other by Henry Teinamman. Henry Quinn owned a blacksmith shop and also a grocery store. A. Rapp had a meat market and the physician was Dr. D. E. Smalley, postmaster was Robert Krueger. Voters of Madison County adopted township organization at the November election of 1875. The districting of the county under the new order named 24 townships in the county. The first Chouteau meeting was called for April 4, 1876 for election of officers to serve the township. Those elected were Amos Atkins, Supervisor - 99 votes, R. R. Stanley, Clerk -122 votes, William Reddish, Assessor - 129 votes, J. W. Wallace, Collector - 126 votes and W. P. Gillham, Commissioner of Highways - 126 votes. M.D. Moore and Charles Hess were chosen School Trustees with 87 votes each. At this meeting Mr. O. Pettingill offered the resolution which was adopted that there be a tax of eight cents on each one hundred dollars of real estate and personal property liable to taxation. Four cents of this was for paupers and the other four cents for contingent expenses. After Amos Atkins, Supervisors serving Chouteau are: L.O. Gillham - elected in 1884 and served a term of one year Conrad Roth - elected April 1885 and served three years Frank Troeckler - elected April 1888 and served a term of fourteen years Lemuel Southard - elected in 1902 and served a term of two years Charles W. Smith - elected in 1904 and served a term of twelve years Charles Lexow - elected in 1914 and served a term of twelve years Frank Ryan - elected in 1926 and served until he died in June 1939 Mrs. Nettie Ryan was appointed June 22, 1939 and served until April 1941 Mr. Raymond Poag Smith - elected April 1, 1941 and served until he resigned April 1942 Mr. Joseph Troeckler was appointed May 14, 1942 and served until he died March 30, 1967 Walter "Dick" Sparks was appointed at that time and served to the date of this publication. Among the elected officials who have served Chouteau Township are: |
| Chouteau Township today is a prosperous area with approximately ten thousand residents. The new building we are dedicating today marks another milestone in the history of Chouteau Township. Research for this history by Pat Polley, Town Clerk |