In 1803, the Louisiana Territory, which has belonged by turns to both France and Spain, was transferred by the former to the United States.   Out of that territory, in 1812, was carved the territory of Missouri.  On March 6, 1820, an act of Congress was passed authorizing the inhabitants of the territory to form for themselves a constitution and state government, and looking to its admission into the Union as a state.  On the 19th day of July, 1820, a constitution was formed, and on the 2d day of March, 1821, Missouri was admitted into the Union on an equal footing with the original States.

From 1812 to 1816, St. Charles County comprised all this portion of Missouri.  In 1816, the County of Howard was created out a part of St. Charles, and it included this as well as many other Countries.

On the 16th day of November, 1820, the County of Ray was formed.  It included all that part of Howard County west of Grand river to the boundary line of the State.  All that portion of county north of Ray County to the Iowa line "was attached to the County of Ray for all civil, military and judicial purposes".  That act provided that when a division of Ray County should become necessary, the Missouri river should be its southern boundary, the range line between ranges 25 and 26 should be its eastern, the township line between townships 55 and 56 should be its northern, and the range line between ranges 29a nd 30 should be its western boundary.  As thus designed Ray County would have included the southern tier of townships in this county.

In the the year 1818, the Untied States Surveyors penetrated the southern part of this County and surveyed the townships of Davis, Lincoln, and Grant.  The balance of the Country was not surveyed until 1823.  At that time there was not a single white settler within the borders of the County.  The County was inhabited by Indians and infested by wild beasts.  At intervals, its solitude was broken by the rifle of some adventurous hunter in search of game, or the loud whoops of the Indians they surrounded their prey.

Crosby Johnson, An Illustrated Historical Atlas of Caldwell County, Missouri.   1876.  Edwards Brothers