Union, MO

UNION, The county seat of Franklin county, is situated on the Bourbois river, 55 miles from St. Louis, and 75 miles from Jefferson City.  Union was first settled by G. Fockler, in or about the year 1829.  The chief products of the county are wheat, corm, and tobacco. The timer, oak, hickory, walnut, &c.  The minerals, lead, iron, and coal.  The average price of uncultivated lands $15, cultivated lands $20.  There is one stage route from Union to Washington, 10 miles.  It contains one Lodge I.O.O.F., Goodwill Lodge, No. 103, one Presbyterian church, seven attorneys at law, four boot and shoe makers, two blacksmiths, four wagon makers, five carpenters, one carding machine, one brick yard, one brewer, two butchers, one cabinet maker, four general stores, one jeweler, one lime manufacturer, one marble yard, one gunsmith, one steam flouring mill, two hotels, two painters, four physicians, five brick masons, two tailors, four wine and liquor dealers, one real estate agent, and one tinner.  Population 500. (The Missouri State Gazetteer and Business Directory, 1860)