MEMPHIS a thriving post-village, capital of Scotland county, Missouri, is situated near the North Fabius river, 130 miles in direct line N. from Jefferson City. The land in the vicinity presents fine advantages for farming. (Baldwin's New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States..., 1854)
MEMPHIS, The county seat of Scotland county, situated on the North Fabius river, 200 miles from St. Louis and 165 miles from Jefferson City. Was first settled in the year 1838 - in 1841 a post office was established. The town contains one newspaper, Memphis Journal, published by Martin and Allen, one high school, two churches, one Christian, one Presbyterian, one Masonic Lodge, No. 16. one I.O.O.F., one dealer in agricultural implements, one ambrotypist, five attorneys at law, one notary public, one baker, two blacksmiths, two boot and shoemakers, two brickyards, one butcher, two cabinet makers, one carding machine, ten carpenters, one carriage maker, one cooper, one dentist, one druggist, six dry goods dealers, two flouring mills, eight general stores, one gunsmith, one harness maker, three hotels, two justices, one lime manufacturer, one livery stable, two milliners, two painters, four physicians, one printing office, one rope manufacturer, one sash, blind, and door manufactory, one steam saw mill, one shingle maker. There are two stage routes, viz., one to Canton, one to Lancaster. Timber, hickory, oak, walnut, and elm. Chief products, wheat, corn, oats, and grass. Average price of uncultivated lands $5 per acre, cultivated $10. (The Missouri State Gazetteer and Business Directory, 1860)