BENTON CO, AR - ORLANDO VICTOR WAGER - Bio

Submitted by: Carl A. Wager <wager@enol.com>

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ORLANDO VICTOR WAGER

A brief sketch of my life.

I, Orlando Victor Wager, was born in DePere, Brown Co. Wisconsin 
the 29th day of August, 1855, and was the fourth child of a family 
of 10,  When about 10 years of age my father with others went west 
with Ox teams.  He located in Helena, Montana and remained there 
about 5 years.  When about 13 years of age, I was janitor in our 
public schools and later was a clerk in the DePere post office 
but could not hold my position on account of my age, and later was 
clerk in a clothing store which position I held until the time came 
for us to move.  

In 1870, my father moved from Montana to Elm Springs, in 
Washington Co. Ark, and purchased a small farm.  Early in 1871, 
we moved from DePere, Wis. to Elm Springs, Ark. by rail, and got 
off the train at Ritchey, Mo. where we were met by my brother George, 
and we then went overland to our new home in N.W. Ark.  

There were 5 of us children besides our mother.  At the age of 
about 17, I was employed as a clerk in a general merchandise store 
in Elm Springs, Ark. and held that position until I drifted up in 
S.W. Mo. where I entered school at a place then known as "Harmony" 
but now known as "Wanda".  John A. Irvin was teacher.  I attended 
that school two terms, during 1875 and 1876.  

Later, I entered the Neosho Collegiate Institute located in Neosho, Mo.
Prof. D.M. Conway, teacher.  Following the close of that term of school, 
I secured a position as teacher in the public school in Pineville, Mo. 
and the next year secured a position as teacher in the "Smith Chapel" 
school located in Washington, Co. Ark.  The place now known as 
"Tontitown".  At the close of that school I associated myself with 
my Father in business at Wager, Ark.  I having charge of a general 
merchandise store which was run in connection with my father's 
milling business.  

While attending the Neosho school, I became acquainted with Miss 
Mira H. Hearrell, who in October 17th 1880 became my wife.  We lived 
in Wager, Ark. until in 1886.  Her health failing, we moved back 
to her home town, Neosho, Mo. in October 1886, where I accepted a 
position in the Newton County Co-operative Association, and held 
that position until in 1891, when I accepted a position in the 
Neosho Savings Bank, which position I held continuously, until 1931, 
except for two years I served the Briggs Hardware Co. as book-keeper.  

Two children were born to us while living in N.W. Ark.  Fred A. 
and Lemuel E. and one daughter, Nell A. after moving back to 
Neosho, Mo.  In April 1931, the Neosho Savings Bank merged with 
the Bank of Neosho and on account of this merger, I lost my job.  
At the time of the merger, I was 75 years of age and consequently, 
could not obtain a position.  So have lived as quietly as possible, 
seeing after home affairs the best I could and my strength would admit.  

Now as I am past 85, I can look back over my life and I see nothing 
startling connected with it,  In my younger days, I was partial to 
vocal music and have used my voice in both school and religious work, 
but am sorry to state I had strained it to such an extent that I have 
been unable to use it as in former years.

This is written only as an historical record of my live as I remember 
it.  My wife died Feby. 1st 1938, and I have lived alone most of time 
since.  I spend some time with my daughter in the Rio Grande Valley, 
in Texas, and part time with my son in southern Louisiana, and also 
some time with my sister's children at Elm Springs, Ark.

Written in 1940 by O.V.Wager

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