Excerpt of the book "Writer and Engraver's Picture of Graham County's Progress Since Its Organization" (1906)

John Bird

(pages 33-34)

The career of John Bird has been closely identified with the history of Graham county. He has been a valuable resident here for more than 27 years. The career of a farmer as that of a business enterprise, is the standard by which the public tests his general worth to the community. Mr. Bird has been a successful farmer, and everyone has been glad of his success, for with his kindly disposition and honest business methods he has made everyone his friend.

Mr. Bird was born in Ohio in 1836 and came to Missouri in his early boyhood. Here he was married 47 years ago and 17 years later moved to Graham county and homesteaded a few miles northeast of Hill City. Mr. and Mrs. Bird drove from Missouri leaving there the 14^th of February and arriving here the 8^th of March. Their first home was a 16x16 structure, built of native stone, and sod quarried and cut on their own farm.

Here they lived until 1893 when they sold the place and moved to Sheridan county.

For 10 years they owned and lived on one of the best farms in Sheridan county, and sold it in 1904 for $7,500.00, when they returned to Graham county and located in Hill City.

Mr. and Mrs. Bird have retired from active life and have built a neat seven roomed house valued at $1,200.00, which they intend to make their permanent home.

They are proud of their six sons and daughters who are married and in homes of their own, and all, save one, in Hill City or vicinity.

The entire Bird family are active members of the Christian Church.

Mr. Bird is a kind, genial agreeable gentleman, who has never burdened the whole world with his trials, but who has lightened the sorrows of others by sympathy and material aid.