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Cass County, Missouri

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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 2010 census, the population was 99,478.[1] Its county seat is Harrisonville, however the county contains a portion of Kansas City, Missouri.[2] 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.[3][4]

Cass County
County
County courthouse in Harrisonville
County courthouse in Harrisonville
Map of Missouri highlighting Cass County
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Map of the United States highlighting Missouri
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°39′N 94°21′W / 38.65°N 94.35°W / 38.65; -94.35
Country United States
State Missouri
FoundedMarch 3, 1835
Named forLewis Cass
SeatHarrisonville
Government
 • County CommissionPresiding Commissioner Bob Huston

Associate Commissioner Monty Kisner

Associate Commissioner Jimmy Odom
Area
 • Total
702 sq mi (1,820 km2)
 • Land697 sq mi (1,810 km2)
 • Water5.7 sq mi (15 km2)  0.8%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total
99,478
 • Estimate 
(2018)
104,954
 • Density140/sq mi (55/km2)
Congressional district4th
Websitewww.casscounty.com

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.[5]

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.[5]

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.[6][7]

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.

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.[8]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18404,693—
18506,09029.8%
18609,79460.8%
187019,29697.0%
188022,43116.2%
189023,3013.9%
190023,6361.4%
191022,973−2.8%
192021,536−6.3%
193020,962−2.7%
194019,534−6.8%
195019,325−1.1%
196029,70253.7%
197039,74833.8%
198051,02928.4%
199063,80825.0%
200082,09228.7%
201099,47821.2%
2018 (est.)104,954[9]5.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2015[1]

As of the census[14] 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.

Education

Public schools

Private schools

Public libraries

  • Cass County Public Library[15]

Politics

Local

Republicans held twelve of the thirteen elected positions in the county as of the 2014 election.

Cass County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor Roger Raffety
Auditor vacant
Circuit Clerk Kim York Republican
County Clerk Jeff Fletcher Republican
Collector Chris Molendorp
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
Recorder Mike Medsker Republican
Sheriff Jeff Weber Republican
Treasurer Steve Cheslik Republican

State

Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
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

Cass County is divided into five legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives, four of which are held by Republicans and one by a Democrat.

  • District 33 – Donna Pfautsch (R-Harrisonville). Consists of the communities of East Lynne, Gunn City, Harrisonville, Pleasant Hill, and Strasburg.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 33 — Cass County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Donna Pfautsch 7,211 70.06% −1.52
Democratic Chase Linder 3,082 29.94% +15.33
Missouri House of Representatives — District 33 — Cass County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Donna Pfautsch 3,767 71.58% +8.43
Democratic Syed Asif 769 14.61% −22.24
Libertarian Matthew Stephens 727 13.81% +13.81
Missouri House of Representatives — District 33 — Cass County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Donna Pfautsch 5,838 63.15%
Democratic Ron Harvey 3,407 36.85%
  • District 37 — Joe Runions (D-Grandview). Consists of parts of the cities of Lake Winnebago and Raymore.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 37 — Cass County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Joe Runions 1,601 100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 37 — Cass County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Joe Runions 748 100.00% +59.05
Missouri House of Representatives — District 37 — Cass County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Joe Runions 819 40.95%
Republican Nola Wood 1,181 59.05%
  • District 55 – Rick Brattin (R-Harrisonville). Consists of the communities of Garden City, Peculiar, and parts of Lake Winnebago and Raymore.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 55 — Cass County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Rick Brattin 12,350 63.37% −36.63
Democratic Ashley Beard-Fosnow 7,139 36.63% +36.63
Missouri House of Representatives — District 55 — Cass County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Rick Brattin 8,362 100.00% +35.50
Missouri House of Representatives — District 55 — Cass County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Rick Brattin 11,747 64.50%
Democratic Jim White 6,465 35.50%
  • District 56 — Dan Bonden (R-Belton). Consists of the communities of Belton, Cleveland, Drexel, Freeman, Lake Annette, and a tiny sliver of Kansas City.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 56 — Cass County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jack Bondon 10,764 68.60% +2.31
Democratic DJ Rash 4,927 31.40% −2.31
Missouri House of Representatives — District 56 — Cass County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jack Bondon 5,259 66.29% +1.15
Democratic Patty Johnson 2,674 33.71% −1.15
Missouri House of Representatives — District 56 — Cass County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Chris Molendrop 9,776 65.14%
Democratic Patty Johnson 5,231 34.86%
  • District 57 — Wanda Brown (R-Lincoln). Consists of the communities of Archie and Creighton.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 57 — Cass County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Wanda Brown 1,291 66.31% +10.87
Democratic William A. Grimes 656 33.69% +2.50
Missouri House of Representatives — District 57 — Cass County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Wanda Brown 622 55.44% −6.04
Democratic William A. Grimes 350 31.19% −7.33
Constitution Butch Page 150 13.37% +13.37
Missouri House of Representatives — District 57 — Cass County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Wanda Brown 1,114 61.48%
Democratic Don Bullock 698 38.52%

All of Cass County is a part of Missouri's 31st District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Ed Emery (R-Lamar).

Missouri Senate — District 31 — Cass County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Ed Emery 34,934 72.71% +9.68
Libertarian Lora Young 7,168 14.92% +14.92
Independent Tim Wells 5,944 12.37% +12.37
Missouri Senate — District 31 — Cass County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Ed Emery 29,721 63.03%
Democratic Charles A. Burton 17,432 36.97%

Federal

U.S. Senate — Missouri — Cass County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Roy Blunt 27,532 54.12% +9.55
Democratic Jason Kander 20,628 40.55% −6.24
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 1,542 3.03% −5.61
Green Johnathan McFarland 594 1.17% +1.17
Constitution Fred Ryman 578 1.14% +1.14
U.S. Senate — Missouri — Cass County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Todd Akin 21,557 44.57%
Democratic Claire McCaskill 22,626 46.79%
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 4,179 8.64%

Cass County is included in Missouri's 4th Congressional District and is currently represented by Vicky Hartzler (R-Harrisonville) in the U.S. House of Representatives.

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 4th Congressional District — Cass County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Vicky Hartzler 34,998 69.61% −0.01
Democratic Gordon Christensen 13,198 26.25% +1.33
Libertarian Mark Bliss 2,082 4.14% −1.32
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 4th Congressional District — Cass County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Vicky Hartzler 17,869 69.62% +13.27
Democratic Nate Irvin 6,396 24.92% −15.54
Libertarian Herschel L. Young 1,400 5.46% +2.99
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri’s 4th Congressional District — Cass County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Vicky Hartzler 27,169 56.35%
Democratic Teresa Hensley 19,505 40.46%
Libertarian Thomas Holbrook 1,192 2.47%
Constitution Greg Cowan 348 0.72%

Presidential preference

Cass County was up to World War II solidly Democratic as it had strong secessionist sympathies. However, since 1952 it has become a strongly Republican county in presidential elections. The last time a Democratic candidate won the county was in 1976 by Jimmy Carter, but incumbent President George Bush senior only won in the county by a margin of 0.3 percentage point in 1992.

Presidential election results
Presidential election results[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 64.8% 37,197 33.2% 19,052 2.0% 1,159
2016 64.4% 33,098 28.9% 14,846 6.7% 3,466
2012 63.0% 30,912 34.7% 17,044 2.3% 1,148
2008 59.0% 29,695 39.4% 19,844 1.6% 802
2004 61.6% 27,253 37.7% 16,681 0.6% 283
2000 56.1% 20,113 41.6% 14,921 2.3% 835
1996 46.5% 13,495 40.5% 11,743 13.0% 3,772
1992 34.6% 10,349 34.3% 10,246 31.1% 9,310
1988 55.8% 12,799 44.0% 10,092 0.3% 67
1984 65.8% 14,456 34.2% 7,517
1980 52.8% 10,105 42.9% 8,198 4.4% 831
1976 44.0% 7,182 55.2% 9,008 0.9% 140
1972 71.2% 9,242 28.8% 3,731
1968 45.1% 5,271 38.3% 4,468 16.6% 1,938
1964 35.5% 3,665 64.5% 6,658
1960 53.3% 6,523 46.7% 5,718
1956 50.1% 5,589 49.9% 5,575
1952 54.0% 6,000 45.8% 5,089 0.1% 13
1948 40.0% 3,614 59.9% 5,415 0.2% 16
1944 51.8% 4,687 48.1% 4,347 0.1% 7
1940 47.6% 4,983 52.3% 5,479 0.2% 17
1936 41.3% 4,070 58.2% 5,731 0.5% 52
1932 34.0% 3,009 65.2% 5,772 0.8% 66
1928 59.1% 5,299 40.7% 3,647 0.2% 18
1924 42.2% 3,610 55.0% 4,709 2.8% 242
1920 44.2% 4,055 54.8% 5,030 1.1% 100
1916 38.0% 2,104 60.2% 3,337 1.9% 103
1912 18.4% 1,034 57.7% 3,247 23.9% 1,346
1908 39.8% 2,193 57.1% 3,143 3.1% 168
1904 44.4% 2,375 51.4% 2,750 4.3% 229
1900 37.9% 2,162 58.7% 3,350 3.5% 200
1896 35.5% 2,229 63.3% 3,975 1.2% 75
1892 35.2% 1,908 55.9% 3,027 8.9% 481
1888 40.0% 2,095 57.6% 3,015 2.4% 124

Communities

Cities

Villages

Census-designated places

Unincorporated Communities

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved September 7, 2013.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ^ Eaton, David Wolfe (1916). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. pp. 272.
  4. ^ "Disappearing Missouri Names". The Kansas City Star. March 19, 1911. p. 15. Archived from the original on August 19, 2014. Retrieved August 15, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b The History of Cass and Bates Counties, Missouri. National Historical Company, Saint Joseph, Missouri. 1883. p. 272. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  6. ^ Harrison, E.S. Nome and Seward: History, Biography, Descriptions, and Stories. Internet Archive. p. 337. Gunn City Massacre
  7. ^ O'Flaherty, Daniel C. (1954). General Jo Shelby: Undefeated Rebel. University of North Carolina Press. ISBN 0-8078-4878-6. republished 2000
  8. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  9. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved November 29, 2019.
  10. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  11. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  12. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  13. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  14. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  15. ^ Breeding, Marshall. "Cass County Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  16. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-03-24.

Further reading

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

38°39′N 94°21′W / 38.65°N 94.35°W / 38.65; -94.35

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