Famous Missourians

David Rice Atchison held the office of president of the United States for one day in 1849. The terms of President James K. Polk and Vice President George Dallas officially expired at noon, Sunday, March 4. President elect Zachary Taylor, a very religious man, refused to take the presidential oath on Sunday. Senator Atchison, then president pro tem of the Senate, thus served as president of the U.S. from noon, March 4, until 11:30 a.m, March 5, 1849. A monument stands today in Plattsburg, Mo., honoring Missouri's “President for a Day.”

Thomas Hart Benton was born in Neosho, Mo., in 1889. Two of Benton's best works appear in mural form in the State Capitol in Jefferson City and in the Harry S. Truman Library in Independence. The Capitol mural is a panorama of Missouri history; the Truman Library mural depicts Independence's role in the opening of the West. The Kansas City home where Benton lived and painted from 1937 until his death in 1975 is now a state historic site.

George Caleb Bingham, considered by many to be the greatest American born artist, lived most of his life in Missouri. He is especially well known for his portraits and his paintings of life on the Missouri frontier. He also had a long career of public service, including election to the Missouri Legislature and service as state treasurer and adjutant general. The home in Arrow Rock where Bingham lived (1837- 45) has been restored as part of a state historic site.

Daniel Boone was truly a legend in his own time. He was a pioneer, scout, Indian fighter and, in later years, a Missourian. Boone came to Missouri in 1799 as governor of the Spanish ruled Missouri territory. From the home in Defiance, which he built with his son Nathan, Daniel served as a judge. He explored much of the state and is remembered at places such as Boonville, Boone Cave and Boone's Lick. The stone home at Defiance where Boone died in 1820 is restored and open today.

Omar N. Bradley, born near Moberly, Mo., in 1893, commanded the Twelfth Army Group in World War II – a mass of 1.3 million troops that formed the largest American force ever united under one man's command. After the war, Bradley was appointed as the first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Bradley served 69 years on active duty (until his death in 1981), longer than any other soldier in U.S. history.

Born a slave near Diamond, Mo., George Washington Carver overcame tremendous obstacles to become one of America's greatest scientists. He's best remembered for his practical research, helping farmers make a better living from marginal soil. Visitors to the George Washington Carver National Monument near Diamond can see his birthplace site, a statue of Carver, the Moses Carver house and rock walled family cemetery.

Growing up in Hannibal, Samuel Clemens watched riverboats on the Mississippi River. It was from riverboat jargon that he took his pen name – Mark Twain. His love for the river and for his Missouri boyhood is best reflected in his stories about Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. The Twain Home and a statue of Tom and Huck can be seen in Hannibal today. In nearby Florida, Mo., Twain's birthplace is preserved as a state historic site.

Notorious outlaw Jesse James was born in Missouri on Sept. 5, 1847. The farm home where Jesse and his brother, Frank, were raised is in Kearney. Also in Kearney is Jesse's grave. The best known site associated with Missouri's most infamous citizen is the St. Joseph home where Jesse was shot and killed in 1882 for a $10,000 reward. Standing today on the grounds of the Patee House Museum, the small frame home has been preserved much as it was when Jesse James lived there as “Mr. Howard.”

Although born in Texas, Scott Joplin spent most of his life in Missouri. The son of a former slave, Joplin possessed a talent for musical innovation and became the “father of ragtime.” Living and working in Sedalia and St. Louis, he composed such well known works as “The Maple Leaf Rag” and “The Entertainer.” Today, Sedalia honors Joplin's memory each June with the Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival, featuring internationally famed performers.

Born in 1860 near Laclede, Mo., John J. Pershing became one of America's most distinguished military leaders. His long career included graduation from West Point, service in the Spanish American War and in the campaign against Mexican bandit Pancho Villa. In World War I, he commanded the American forces in Europe. Pershing's boyhood home in Laclede is now a state historic site, restored with period furnishings.

Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (also known as the Mormon Church), settled with his followers in Independence, Mo., in 1831. In the winter of 1838-39, Joseph Smith was imprisoned in the nearby Liberty jail. Members of the church believe he received revelations from God while confined there. The jail still can be visited in Liberty. Today, Independence is the site of a beautiful Mormon Visitors Center and still holds significance for the Salt Lake City-based church.

Harry S Truman, 33rd president of the U.S., is one of Missouri's most famous native sons. Born in Lamar, Mo., in 1884, Truman was a Jackson County judge, U.S. senator and vice president before serving as president, 1945-1953. Truman is best remembered as “the man from Independence.” His boyhood homes, the summer White House, his first courtroom, the Truman Library and Museum, and his gravesite all can be seen in the Independence area.

Laura Ingalls Wilder won international fame as the author of “Little House on the Prairie” and seven other “Little House” books for children. Born in Wisconsin, she came to live at Mansfield, in the Missouri Ozarks, in 1894. She was 65 in 1932 when she wrote her first book – “Little House in the Big Woods.” By 1943, the last of her books was published and Mrs. Wilder tended her garden and flowers at Rocky Ridge Farm in Mansfield until her death in 1957. The simple frame house in which she wrote all her books is open today to visitors, along with an adjacent museum of her manuscripts and Wilder family mementos.