OUR HISTORY

Chalfant and Tompkins Title Insurance Corporation, known originally known as H.W. Chalfant’s Abstracts, was started in (old) Linn Creek , Missouri in the year 1887 by attorney Henry W. Chalfant.  Mr. Chalfant also held many public offices and served as Representative to the Missouri General Assembly.  During his absence, he leased the abstract books to Henry Laswell from January 1, 1891 until January 1, 1902.

On January 29, 1902, the Camden County Court House at old Linn Creek burned, destroying all of the county records, including the land records.  Although some of the deed records were re-recorded after the fire, our land records were the only and most complete land records in the Camden County prior to the 1902 fire.

In the year 1909, Henry’s second oldest daughter, Maria (who was later married to William M. Tompkins) began working in the business, became owner of the Abstract Company after her father’s death in 1925 and continued the Abstract office until her retirement in 1961.

During the formation of the Lake of the Ozarks between the years 1929 and 1932, our records were leased to Kansas City Title and Trust Company of Kansas City , Missouri .  During this time, Maria Chalfant Tompkins worked for Kansas City Title and Trust.  In 1931, the office moved from old Linn Creek  to Camdenton, when it was determined that Camdenton would become the new County Seat of Camden County.  At that time, a new office was built across the street from the Camden County Court House, where it remains today,

Maria Sue (Tompkins) Peterson, the only daughter of Maria (Chalfant) and William M. Tompkins, began working in the business in September, 1957.  She became manager of the office after her mother’s retirement and the owner of the Company after Maria Tompkins’ death in 1965 and remained in the Office until her retirement in 1989.

Larry Peterson, a son of Maria Sue, began working full time in 1973.  Larry's wife, Lisa, joined the office staff in 1982.  The Company began writing title insurance in the year 1985, and discontinued the issuance of abstracts of title in later years.

We take pride in being in existence for over 110 years and being one of the oldest existing businesses in Camden County .