Missouri State Gazetteer and Business Directory of 1876-77  Around 1835, Middle Grove had a flour mill, 4 stores, 1 public school and a population of 250.  In 1851, Mr. B. Dawson added a cording machine and they corded their own cloth in Middle Grove.  Also in 1851 was begun a grist mill.  By the year 1860, the town contained two steam flour mills, one wagon shop, 3 churches, a tannery and a brewery.  There was a skirmish in Middle Grove during the Civil War, but no actual fighting.  Many “Bushwackers” were in the area.  It was said “The woods is full of them”!  A village in Monroe Co. 18 miles southeast of Paris, the County seat & 150 miles northwest of St. Louis.  Moberly, 10 miles west, is its usual railroad point.  Tobacco, corn, hogs and cattle are shipped.  Pop. 300, mail 3 times a week  Thomas Hocker                  Postmaster Asmuth, Fred                    Cabinet Maker Branham & Coffman           Carpenters Brown, B.J.                       Boot & Shoemaker Duscoll Berry                     Hotel Propr. Evan, R.L.                         Plaster Forrest, I.F.                       Physician Haley & Cann                     Blacksmith Hocker, T.J.                       Groc. & Drugs Hunter, Matthew                 Hotel Propr. Hunter, S.O.                      Dry Goods McNutt, John                      Physician McGee, John W.                  Physician Mitchell & Gray                   Dry Goods Nave & Johnson                  Groc. & Drugs Owings, V.H.                      Painter Quisenberry, J.B.                 Physician Ridings, Mrs. Susan              Millinery Settle, James M. Jr.              Insurance Swinney, S.W.                      Boot & Shoemaker Truly, Frank                         Flouring Mill Van Arsdale, W.C. & Bros.      Wagon Maker Evansville, Pop. 35, 2 stores and a post office.