LEAR BIOGRAPHIES, Henry County, Missouri
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LEAR, W. F. - b: 1861 Bogard Twp, Henry Co, MO
source: 1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co - 
page: 762
residence: Bogard Twp

W. F. Lear, a native son of Henry County and a prominent farmer and Stock raiser 
in Bogard township, was born in this township, April 30, 1861. He is a son of 
Christopher and Minnie (Blazer) Lear, early settlers of Henry County. Christopher 
Lear was a native of Holland, he came to America when he was eighteen years of 
age. His method of obtaining passage to America from his native land was 
considerably out of the ordinary. He arranged with some companions of his to put 
him in a barrel and place him on board the vessel as freight. After the vessel had 
put to sea, his companions were to open the barrel and let him out, which they 
did. After the commanding officer discovered him, young Lear was required to 
work to pay his passage until the vessel reached New York, when he was 
permitted to go his way. This was exactly what he had planned on and in this way 
succeeded in reaching America. From New York he went to St. Louis and shortly 
afterwards came to Henry County, and bought land in Bogard township, where he 
was engaged in farming and stock raising until his death in 1901. He was an 
industrious man and a good citizen. His widow now lives at Anadarko, Oklahoma. 
They were the parents of the following children: John, deceased; Henry, deceased; 
Lizzie married J. H. Tabor, Carbondale, Kansas; W. F., the subject of this review; 
and Charlotte, who died in infancy. W. F. Lear was reared in Bogard township and 
educated in the district schools. He remained at home with his parents until he 
was married in 1885. In 1887 Mr. Lear purchased a farm in Bogard township, and 
since that time has been successfully engaged in farming and stock raising. The 
Lear place contains one hundred twenty acres of valuable and well-improved 
land, which is located in Bogard township four miles north of Urich. The place is 
well kept and the farm buildings are in good condition and altogether presents an 
appearance indicating the thrift and industry of the owner. Mr. Lear was united in 
marriage February 3, 1885, to Miss Belle Hendricks, a daughter of M. L. and Nancy 
(Tabor) Hendricks. He was born in Kentucky in 1834 and came to Henry County 
with his parents when he was about one year old. M. L. Hendricks was the son of 
Asa Hendricks, who was truly one of the pioneers of Henry County, and 
experienced the hardships and vicissitudes incident to pioneer life. He came to 
Henry County from Kentucky in 1835. He made rails in Lexington one winter for 
twenty-five cents per hundred, while his wife remained at home in Henry County 
and cared for the children. Mr. M. L. Hendricks died December 13, 1882, and his 
wife died November 3, 1911, and their remains are buried on the old Hendricks 
homestead. To M. L. and Nancy (Tabor) Hendricks were born three children, the 
oldest of whom died in infancy and the others are: Mrs. W. F. Lear, the subject of 
this sketch, and Mrs. H. E. Huffman, of Warrensburg, Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Lear 
have been born four children, as follow: Alice married R. C. Spry, Bogard 
township, Henry County; Clarence N., married Zonie DePew of Bogard township and 
resides on the home place; Loy H., now in the service of the United States Navy 
and after a period of training at the Great Lakes Training Station near Chicago, 
Illinois he went to France and is stationed at a naval aviation base; and Dora E., 
who resides at home with her parents. Mr. Lear is one of the progressive men of 
Bogard township and one of Henry County's substantial citizens. He is a 
Republican in politics. Mrs. Lear is a member of the Urich Christian Church, as are 
Mrs. Alice Spry and Mrs. Dora E. Lear. 

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