A Life of Dedication to Henry County History. Honoring Lois Cason.

At 94 years old, Lois Virginia Cason continues to be a notable figure in Henry County’s history. In November 2025, she was honored with the Heritage Award at the Henry County Historical Society’s annual Harvest Dinner. It was a well-earned acknowledgment of her many years of dedication to the Historical Society and Museum. As possibly the last surviving charter member, her knowledge and memories of the organization’s founding and growth over the past 60 years are invaluable.

Early Life and Education

Lois was born on August 22, 1931, delivered by her Uncle Joe. Her childhood was spent on the family farm in Henry County. She walked a mile each day to Little Grant School, where she dutifully attended grades 1 through 8. Afterward, she continued her education at Norris High School, completing grades 9 through 12.

Early Career

Following her graduation, Lois, now 17 years old, began working at the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS), commonly known locally as the “farm office.” Her job involved measuring crop acreage on county maps using a planimeter, a device used to trace the outline of areas on maps and calculate acreage, square miles, and more. Although some farmers initially doubted her youth and abilities, she quickly earned their trust. She worked there for nearly four years before moving to Colorado to attend the University of Colorado in Boulder.

Later, she applied for a job as a switchboard operator at the Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company, which the locals called “Mountain States Tell and Tell.” To test her abilities, the interviewer challenged Lois to name the U.S. states, and she quickly listed half before being asked to stop. She got the job. Lois credited her geography lessons at Little Grant school for her knowledge about U.S. states. She held the position at the phone company for 10 years while maintaining a perfect attendance record.

Around 1962, Lois moved to Clinton, Missouri. There, she met and married the well-respected Missouri State Senator William Cason on May 25, 1967. Not long after, she trained as a hairdresser in Sedalia. She then bought the Heavenly Beauty Salon, located on South Main Street just off the square. She fondly remembered the camaraderie of her staff and the salon’s role in the community. Brenda Dehn, a former Henry County Museum director and currently active museum volunteer, got one of her first jobs at the salon. Tragically, the salon was lost in an explosion caused by a massive natural gas leak in the Poague Building, also on South Second Street.

Charter Member of the Historical Society

Lois’s most lasting legacy is her role as a founding member of the Henry County Historical Society, established in 1966. The society quickly grew to 65 charter members. The group’s earliest meetings were held in the basement of the First National Bank (now Legacy Bank) until they outgrew the space and had to meet in different locations around town that could accommodate them.

She vividly recalled a particular evening meeting. Attendees included Gertrude Keller, the Society’s first president; Haysler Poague, a board member; Dr. Shelby Hughes; Mrs. Burnham; and Mrs. Mahlon White of the Clinton Daily Democrat. It was Mrs. White who first suggested, much to the group's surprise, that Henry County needed a museum. “It was like a shock,” as Lois recalled. “Who would ever have thought such a thing? That’s big!” Not too surprising, though, since Lois remembered Mrs. White as “a force to be reckoned with.”

Soon, the Society displayed artifacts in two rooms on the third floor of the courthouse. It was here that Lois remembered visiting with Mrs. Fern Cooper, who volunteered as an early caretaker of the collection.

The Anheuser-Busch Building

In 1974, the Society purchased the Anheuser-Busch building, which was formerly owned by Mr. and Mrs. Les Lobaugh and rented to Croft and Brown as a feed store. Newspapers reported the “rush of effort” to prepare the building in time for the Fourth of July celebration in 1976. This moment tied Henry County’s preservation of history to the country’s 200th birthday.

It was during this period that Lois started volunteering. One of her initial tasks was to organize and display the Courtney Thomas collection. Thomas was an internationally renowned opera singer from Clinton, popular during the golden age of opera at the turn of the 20th century. Her personal collection of dresses and artifacts became a centerpiece of the Music Room in the Anheuser-Busch building. Lois also remembered how furniture from Ruby Spangler’s home on South Second Street was exhibited in the Music Room. Display cases from the former Goss Clothing Company became the main attraction of the military exhibits. Lois herself donated a tall upright case, which remains in use today.

It took long hours and hard work to meet the July 4th opening deadline, but Lois took it all in stride. She recalled, “People tell me, ‘Oh, I’m so tired. I don’t think I can do that.’ Yes, you can.” A timeless message that determination never goes out of style. In the end, all the work paid off. The goal was achieved. The historic Anheuser-Busch building, tired and rundown, in need of numerous repairs, was transformed into the Henry County Museum and officially opened on Sunday, July 4, 1976.

More Growth – More to Celebrate

A decade later, Lois took part in Clinton’s sesquicentennial celebration in 1986, when the Budweiser Clydesdales visited town. Lois was especially impressed that the famous team of horses stayed in Clinton for an entire week. She even wore a period costume for the event. The crowds and excitement reflected the spirit of the celebration and the pride of Henry County’s heritage.

Lois’s time at the museum continued. After Margaret Ann Spangler retired, she became the museum’s director, a position she held for several years.

The museum expanded again in 1988 with the addition of the Adair Annex. Mary Margaret Adair Nebel funded the purchase. Today, the building serves as the museum’s main entrance and welcome center, and it features a recreated 1900 village and a genealogy library, which is very meaningful to Lois.

A Lifetime of Service

Throughout her life, Lois has been deeply involved in community affairs, but her most lasting impact has been her dedication to preserving Henry County’s history. Her memories offer invaluable insight into the Society’s early days. She was there. She lived it. She knows firsthand the challenges of establishing a museum and the community spirit that made it all possible.

When asked about her interests in the Historical Society, Lois emphasized genealogy and the stories of local people. To her, history has always been about the lives of those in Henry County’s communities. What stands out most about Lois is her remarkable ability to remember names, a talent that underscores her lifelong devotion to preserving the stories of local people.

Recognition

This year’s 2025 Heritage Award celebrated Lois’s unwavering commitment to the Henry County Historical Society and Museum. Her memories remind us that the museum we cherish today was built on the vision, perseverance, and volunteer spirit of people like Lois Cason. Her story exemplifies resilience, service, and dedication to community. Well done, Lois. Well done.

December 6, 2025. Written by Mark Rimel, a volunteer at the Henry County Museum.

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© 2025 Mark Rimel, Henry County Historical Society, and Henry County Museum. All rights reserved. No portion of this document may be copied, altered, printed, distributed, or posted online in any form without prior written consent.