Moniteau County Library

Hours:

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.

Tuesday and Thursday: 10:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M.

Saturday and Sunday: Closed

History

Our small community library has grown in patrons, collection, technology and vision over the past 15 years that we have been located at 501 South Oak Street. To better reflect our mission to serve all residents of the county and our commitment to be a 21st century library, we are in the process of changing our name. We will be known as Moniteau County Library @ Wood Place, as used on this new web page. We know there is a bright future ahead for us, but we also want to remember and honor our past that brought us to this point.

Elia Wood was raised in the home built by her father Lashley F. Wood in 1876 at 102 South East Street, California, Missouri.  After completing her education, she joined her father's law firm as an attorney.  When teachers were needed in the Philippine Islands, Elia Wood, Pearl Gordon, Clara Gray (Allee), and Dolly Gray (Marshall) answered the call.  Elia Wood and Pearl Gordon asked to be sent to Ilagon where Miss Gordon's brother was stationed.  Upon arriving at the islands, they were met by First Lieutenant John A. Paegelow, who transported them to Ilagon.  Lieutenant Paegelow was born in Berlin, Germany in 1870.  He immigrated  to the United States after graduating from the Heidelberg University with a Civil Engineer degree and his mandatory one-year military service duty.  After working as a Civil Engineer in New York City, the depressed economy forced him to move to Chicago where he joined the Army as a private.  After Paegelow recovered from injuries sustained at San Juan Hill, he was sent to the Philippine Islands, where he met Elia Wood.