The Missouri State Society, one of the oldest state societies in Washington, D.C., was founded in 1900 by a young Missourian named Joe Manlove who was working for the Census Bureau. Homesick, he placed an ad in the local newspaper requesting fellow Missourians to meet him at a local restaurant. When Joe arrived, the restaurant was filled with Missourians. At this first meeting, the group organized itself, electing Joe as the first President.