Biographical Sketch of Newton Bird - Andrew County, Missouri

>From "History of Missouri, Andrew & DeKalb County" Published 1888

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Transcribed by: Penny Harrell (Incog3678@aol.com)

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Newton Bird, a miller at Avenue City, Andrew County, MO., was born
near Elizabethtown, Hardin County, KY, March 28, 1829. He is the son
of Jesse and Laodica (Ray) Bird.  The former was born in Greenbrier
County, VA., May 24, 1809.  He was a minister by profession, and
spent fifty-four years of his life in pastoral work, teaching school
occasionally.  He possessed rare intellect and scholarship, and was
a zealous man respected by all who knew him.  In 1855 he removed to
Missouri, and settled in Andrew County, where he died in 1886.  His
wife was born in Marion county, KY., April 9, 1809.  She was a kind
and itelligent woman, and was the mother of six sons and three 
daughters, of whom Newton is the eldest.  He was reared on a farm in
Kentucky, and received a practical education in the schools of
Washington County, in that State.  In 1853 he came to Missouri, and
settled near Savannah.  Arriving in the fall, he at once secured a
district school, which he taught the following winter.  Afterward he
engaged in farming, and later in milling, which has been his chief
occupation in life.  He came to the State of Missouri a poor man, but 
by energy, enterprise and frugality has become a prosperous and highly
respected citizen.  He is an ardent Democrat, and is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church South.