County of city: Newton County
Location of city hall: S. Washington St. & E. main St., Neosho
Location of city: SW of center in county; crossroads of US-60, MO-86, MO-D & I-49, MO-179
Founded: 1829
Elevation: 1,037 ft (316 m)
Population: 12,051 (2018)
"Neosho is said to be a corruption of the Osage Indian word NEOZHO, which means clear, cold water. The great springs in the middle of the city certainly bear out this story.
"Neosho is beautifully situated in the valleys of Hickory and Shoal Creeks, two miles above their confluence and near the center of the county. Neosho is an Indian name and signifies "clear-cold-water". The town was first settled in 1840, incorporated in 1855, and again in 1866." ~ Gazetteer of Missouri, Campbell, 1874, pp. 401-402.
"Neosho is 650 feet above the level of St. Louis, 375 feet above the level of Springfield, and 1,041 feet above sea level. There are several springs in and near Neosho.
"The United States Fish Commission, through the agent, Col. Moore located the first fish hatchery at Neosho, in October 1887.
"A re-survey of Neosho, by F. M. Duncan, under order of Nathan Robertson, county seat commissioner, was made in January, 1846, and witnessed by James Russell, Yancey C. Richardson and W. B. Holmes, chain bearers; Levi Lee, flag bearer, and William Witherspoon, marker. The plat commenced at a stone twenty-three rods and fourteen links east of a stone standing on the west edge of Large Spring branch, nineteen links northeast of a large white oak tree.
"Spring, Main and Hickory Streets are shown running East and West, and Lafayette, Washington, Wood and Jefferson Streets running North and South, with the public square between Washington, Wood, Main and Spring Streets.
"McCord's addition to Neosho was surveyed by J. W. McCord May 12, 1840, on the southwest quarter of Section 19, Township 25, Range 31, directly north of the original town.
"In May, 1846, William M. Chenault presented a petition from the people of Neosho, asking for incorporation. This petition was granted, and William C. Jones, Jackson C. McKay, Samuel Rice, William B. Holmes and William B. Mooney appointed trustees.
"The incorporation of 1846 was a nullity so that on August 29, 1847, William B. Holmes presented a petition from two-thirds of the inhabitants, asking for incorporation. This was granted and John Murphy, William Elam, William B. Holmes, Samuel Rice and William Kendrick were appointed trustees. In February, 1851, a third petition for the incorporation of Neosho was presented to the court by Dr. Lewis Wills. This petition was granted, and Lewis Wills, Samuel Rice, John L. Chancy, J. J. Barlow, and Ambrose McKee were appointed trustees.
"A petition from citizens of Neosha (sic), asking for incorporation, August 10, 1866, was granted on September 25, 1866, and Harvey Conly, George W. Randolph, H. T. Jones, John H. Price and R. V. Keller, appointed trustees.
"In February, 1871, A. W. Benham presented a petition for the incorporation of Neosho City, which was granted, and Job Ratliff, A. W. Benham, Lubrick Mertin, Frederick Mertin and W. G. Ratliff were appointed trustees.
"On April 22, 1880, a petition was presented to the Neosho Council, asking an election to be held on the question of admitting Neosho City or Martling Post-Office. On May 10, John McElhany presented a remonstrance against admission, which was tabled, and the original petition reported favorably, and ordered an election. On June 29, 1880, the question was settled by a majority for annexation, and on July 8, a proclamation to admit the territory was issued. In May, 1881, a motion to organize the Third Ward of Neosho was presented and ultimately carried, so that in 1881, it became a part of the City of Neosho.
"In April, 1873, a post-office was established at Neosho City, under the name Martling, but was discontinued in October, 1880. In December, 1879, the first telephone was introduced into Neosho, connecting the Armstrong House with the depot. In New Neosho, Wittim's Neosho City House was completed in November, 1870.
"In response to a call by the deposed Governor Jackson, dated at Lexington, September 26, 1861, the ex-General Assembly of Missouri met in extra session at the Masonic Hall, Neosho, October 21, 1861.
"After several days of preliminary work, a bill by M. C. Goodlett, of Johnson County was introduced --"An act to dissolve the political connection between the State of Missouri, with the United States of America". This was read, rule suspended, read a second time and third time and passed. After the proceedings, the House and Senate adjourned to meet at Cassville, October 31, 1861.
"There were several reasons in 1861 that Neosho should be selected as the spot to launch forth the secession ordinance of October 31, 1861, chief of which was the fact that it was only about thirty miles from the Arkansas State Line." ~ State of Missouri, History of Newton County, Goodspeed, 1889, pp. 324, 326, 328-330, 333.