Biography of John H. Bird, MD - Mercer Co. WV The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume II, pg. 542-543 JOHN H. BIRD, M. D. By the effective work he has done as a physician and citizen at Rock in Mercer County, Doc- tor Bird has added to the many distinctive professional as- sociations of the Bird family. He comes of a family of doctors and professional men. He was born at Athens in Mercer County October 6, 1878, son of John S. H. and Elizabeth Jane (Vermillion) Bird. His father, who was born in Montgomery County, Virginia, and died at Athens, West Virginia, February 20, 1917, at the age of seventy-three, joined the Confederate Army at Bland, Virginia, at the age of sixteen, served four years, and after the war moved to Mercer County, West Virginia, - where he was a farmer. He was always deeply interested in the cause of education and was a member of the local educational board for many years. His wife, Elizabeth Jane Vermillion, was born in Pulaski County, Virginia, and is now seventy-four, living at Athens. Her father, Dr. James R. Vermillion, was a pioneer physician at Athens. Doctor Vermillion, Harvey French and John S. H. Bird were close friends, and their common interest in education made them prime movers in founding what is now the Concord State Normal at Athens. Eight descendants of Doctor Vermil- lion are either physicians or dentists. John S. H. Bird and wife were the parents of sixteen children, twelve of whom are living, and two of the sons are dentists, S. T. at Prince- ton and Keith at Gary. John S. H. Bird was an official in the Regular Baptist Church, while his wife was a Mission- ary Baptist. Dr. John H. Bird attended the normal school at Athens, taking a stenographic course, and for three years was in the employ of the E. E. Wood Lumber Company. This di- version into business gave him the money to prepare for his professional career. In 1901 he entered the Maryland Med- ical College of Baltimore, graduating in 1905. He took special work in anatomy, surgery and obstetrics. Following his graduation he practiced at Athens, associated with Doc- tor Thornton for a time, but soon removed to Eock, where he has enjoyed an ever increasing clientage, and from 1909 to 1912 conducted a private hospital there. He is a mem- ber of the Mercer County and State Medical Societies. In 1907 Doctor Bird married Miss Effie Godfrey, daugh- ter of James A. Godfrey, of Matoaka, and member of an old and influential family in that vicinity. Doctor and Mrs. Bird have three daughters, Arline, Beryl and Eliza- beth, all attending high school. They are a family of many intellectual interests and Doctor Bird has a fine library. He is a student of the late Pastor Charles Taze Russell, and is a firm believer of his teachings. Mrs. Bird is a graduate of Sullins College at Bristol, Virginia. She is a member of the Methodist Church. Doctor Bird was one of the or- ganizers of the Lodge of Masons at Rock and served as first master. He is also affiliated with the Royal Arch and Knight Templar Commandery. Submitted by Valerie Crook **************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Files may be printed or copied for personal use only. ****************************************************************