The first settlement made in what is now Madison County was at Mine La Motte, in 1722 or 1723. These mines, situated about 4 miles north of Fredericktown, were discovered in 1719 or 1720 by a French­man, whose name they bear.

They were worked as early as 1765, or 1770, by the Indians and Spaniards; the country west of the Mississippi belonging at that time to the Spanish Government.

Among the American State papers is recorded the claim of John Baptiste Francis Menard, and Emily Josefa Menard, of the Empire of France, to two leagues of land at Mine La Motte, on account of settlement and improvement.

They presented a certified copy of a grant from Boisbriant Desursins, dated June 14th, 1723. In consideration of the wealth of these mines, and to aid in their development and the colonization of the country, the Spanish Government, in the year 1800, granted 5,000 arpents of land to fifteen French families, “for settlement and cultivation."   This grant lay just north of Saline Creek, which enters the Little St. Francis River a mile below.

About the same time a few families from Tennessee, North Carolina, Kentucky and Virginia, settled in the county, but the Osage and Kickapoo Indians were so numerous and troublesome, that these new comers could not till the soil to any extent, and were obliged to live in close proximity, for mutual protection.

Hence, about 1801 the village of St. Michael was built on the north bank of Saline Creek, opposite the spot where Fredericktown now stands.

In 1822 it contained 50 dwellings and several stores, but from that time it went down, till scarce a vestige remained to show the location of this once important center; but in 1870, the place was laid off in lots, and sold per order of the circuit court.

 Since then a number of fine dwellings, a store and a planing mills have been erected, and it is now the connecting link between Collier & Villar's Addition (in which the depot of the St. L. & I. M. R. R. is situated) and Fredericktown.

For several years previous to 1817, an Indian family named Musco lived on the south bank of' the creek where Fredericktown now stands.

As usual in a new country, the settlers spent much of their time in hunting, trapping and fishing by day, and dancing and frolicking by night.

During the war of 1812, a company of volunteers was raised in Ste. Genevieve County, some of whom resided in what is now Madison. This county was formed of portions of Ste. Genevieve and Cape Girardeau December 14, 1818, but has since been much reduced in size by the organization of other counties.

During the late Civil War, about an equal number from Madison County joined the Federal and Confederate armies; in all some three or four companies.

The battle of Fredericktown, in which the Federals were victorious, was fought on the 21st of October, 1861, Col. Plummer commanding the Federal, and Gen. Jeff. Thompson the Confederate forces.

Some bushwhacking and guerrilla warfare occurred throughout the entire war, but no other battle was fought.

Campbell’s Gazetteer Of Missouri - 1875 

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