OZARK COUNTY, situated on the south boundary of Missouri. Area, -------- square miles. Seat of justice, Rockbridge. Pop. in 1850, 2,294. (Fanning's, 1853)
OZARK, a new county in the S. part of Missouri, bordering on Arkansas, contains about 1600 square miles. It is intersected by the North fork and Bryant's fork of White river, which unite in the S. part of the county, and also drained by the Little North fork of the same river, and Beaver creek. The surface is hilly or rather mountainous, and covered by extensive forests of the yellow pine, which attains a great size. The soil in the valleys and along the streams is fertile. Indian corn, wheat, oats, grass, and butter are the staples. In 1850 the county produced 115,670 bushels of corn; 5090 of wheat; 6280 of oats, and 28,958 pounds of butter. Tho streams furnish a copious supply of water-power. Capital, Rockbridge. Population, 2294; of whom 2279 were free, and 15, slaves. (Baldwin & Thomas, A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States ... 1854)
OZARK COUNTY.
This county is situated in the southern portion of the State, and is bounded on the south by the Arkansas State line. It formerly contained an area of about 1000 square miles, but Douglas County has recently been formed from it, which reduces its area very nearly one-half. Population in 1860, 4921. It is watered by North Fork of White River, Little North Fork, and Bryant's Fork of the last named stream, affording good water power. The general surface of the county is hilly or mountainous, and covered with forests of timber consisting of oak, hickory, and yellow pine, the latter attaining a great size. Cultivated land is worth from $3 to $8 per acre; uncultivated, from 50 cents to $1 50. The largest yield we have reported in the county is, of corn, 90 bushels to the acre; wheat, 30; and oats, 30. But little attention given to farming, as yet.
Business Statistics.—There are in the county 8 physicians, 5 merchants, 5 grocers, 15 blacksmiths, 2 wagon-makers, 4 water-power saw-mills, 8 water-power flouring-mills. Much of the lumber used for building in several adjoining counties west and northwest is made in Oregon and Douglas, and probably as good yellow pine as there is in the State is found here.
Churches and Schools.—The several denominations, Methodist, Christian, Baptist, and Presbyterian, have congregations here. There are twenty free schools and 1199 pupils in the county. Amount of State school money appropriated in 1859 was $824 55. Good school teachers are much needed, and we are assured would be well supported.
ROCKBRIDGE, the county-seat, is the only town of note in the county. It has a favorable location on the North Fork of White River, a little south of the center of the county, and bids fair to become a place of importance. (Parker's Missouri as it is in 1867..., 1867)