HUNTSViLLE, a post-village, capital of Randolph couniy, Missouri, 78 miles N. by W. from Jefferson City. The East Chariton river passes very near or through the village. An effort is making to build a plankroad from Glasgow to this place. (Baldwin & Thomas, A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States ...1854)
HUNTSVILLE, Is the county seat of Randolph county, in Salt Spring township, situated on the east fork of Charlton river, and on the North Missouri Railroad, 160 miles from St. Louis, and 110 from Jefferson City. The town was settled by C. Wisdon, in 1822, and the post-office has been established thirty-three years. There are four stage routes running from the place; one to Paris, 80 miles; to Brunswick, 40 miles; to Bloomington, 25 miles, and to Glasgow, 25 miles. There are two papers published here, the Randolph Citizen, F.M. Taylor, proprietor, and the Randolph American, by Geo. M. Smith. Beautifully located near this flourishing town is Mount Pleasant College: It is situated in the midst of a community whose highest educational interests are involved in its success, and who are characterized by those social and moral, industrial and religious influences which protect and elevate the good character of the young. Officer os the Board of Trustees: B.N.Tracy, President; W.D. Malone, Sec'y; W.R. Samuel, Treasurer. These together with the President of the College, constitute the Executive committee. B.N. Tracy, B.T.; W.D. Malone , Sec'y. There is one Masonic lodge, viz., Huntsville Lodge, No. 30, and one Odd Fellows' lodge (Randolph, No. 23). The town contains four churches, viz., Christian church, Elder W.H. Robinson, pastor; Baptist, REv. R.N. Flood, pastor; Methodist, Rev. D.H. Root, pastor; and Episcopal, Rev. --- Pinkman, pastor. The chief products are corn and tobacco; timber, bur-oak, black oak, and hickory, and coal is the chief mineral. It contains two agricultural implement manufacturers, three architects, six attorneys, two bakers, one bookbinder, one bookseller, two boot and shoe dealers, one brickyard, one brewer, two furniture dealers, four carpenters, one carriage and wagon maker, one clothier, on drug store, two flouring mills, three saw mills, five general stores, two saddlers, two leather dealers, two hotels, three grocers, two jewelers, one livery stable, two milliners, five physicians, two stove and tin ware dealers, four tailors, etc. (The Missouri State Gazetteer and Business Directory, 1860)