Taney County, Missouri Genealogy Trails

Biographies

DICKENSON, JOHN T., judge Taney county probate court of Missouri, was born March 7, 1845, in Stafford, England. He was educated at the Eecleshall grammar
school, and graduated under an Oxford M.A. He succeeded to his father's business of hardware merchant at Stafford, of which city his father served with
distinction as mayor. In 1869 he moved to London; and ten years later emigrated to New York city. In 1881 he settled in- Taney county, Mo.: and soon
attained success as a general merchant. He was public administrator of Taney county for three terms; and postmaster for sixteen years; and has filled various
other positions of trust and honor in the gift of his city, county and state.
Since 1903 he has been judge of the probate court for Taney county, and is now serving his second term of 1907-10; and resides in Dickens. Mo.
Source: Herringshaw's American Statesman and Public Official Year-book: 1907/08 Submitted by Janice Rice- 2009

MELVIN E. BIRD.
Melvin E. Bird is one of the successful merchants of Taneyville, being numbered among the substantial residents of that town. He was born near
Springfield, Missouri, February n, 1867, and is a son of John H. and Jane (Cox) Bird, natives of Kentucky, who in 1865 settled in Missouri near Springfield.
The father followed farming throughout life and now lives with our subject, the mother having passed away in February, 1911. In their family were ten children:
Daniel W., formerly a school teacher of Springfield, and a merchant and traveling salesman, who is now engaged in the real-estate business in Lodi,
California; Amy, who married W. K. Russell, of Brookline, Missouri; James, of Oklahoma; Mary, deceased; Melvin E., of this review; William J., of Portland,
Oregon; John R., a traveling salesman who has an interest in our subject's store and who resides in Springfield; Millie, deceased; Laura E., who married James
W. Roberts, of Brownbranch, Missouri; and Clara, twin sister of Laura, deceased.
Melvin E. Bird grew to manhood in Greene and Taney counties, spending his early years upon his father's farm and attending the country schools of Greene
county until he was thirteen years of age. He then became a pupil in the Bradley- ville school in Taney county, which he attended until he was sixteen
years of age, and then resided in Rome, Douglas county, until he was nineteen.
For two years he followed farming and attended the Sparta Normal school for two years after his marriage, subsequently buying a farm in the northeastern
part of Taney county. There he lived for eight years, giving much attention to cattle-raising. In 1904 he was elected county surveyor, serving for one term,
and then was elected county assessor, also for one term. In 1912 he became interested in the general merchandise business in Taneyville and after his
term of office had expired took charge of the store of which he has since been at the head. He follows the most honorable methods and has a large number of
customers and his business is constantly increasing. He is modern and up-to-date in his ideas and his store is a credit to the community. He also owns
residence and business property in Taneyville and is, moreover, interested in a hotel. He and his father were among the organizers of the Bank of Forsyth and
our subject is now a stockholder in the same. For four years before he was elected surveyor he acted as deputy surveyor and has, since 1912, held that position.
On the 4th of February, 1886, Mr. Bird was united in marriage to Miss Susan C. Shields, a native of Georgia, who came to'Missouri with her parents when
she was but a small child, the family settling in the northeastern part of Taney county. Her father was a farmer and blacksmith, and both he and his wife
are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Bird are the parents of three children: Fannie, who married Steve Day, of Taneyville, Missouri, by whom she has two
children, Eldo and Edgar Gerald; Clarence Wesley, who is assisting his father with the farm work and also in the store; and Lee Riley.
Politically Mr. Bird is a republican, and his religious faith is that of the Baptist church. He has always taken an active interest in its affairs and at
present serves as deacon. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and is popular in the local lodge. He has many friends in
Taneyville and Taney county, all of whom esteem and respect him for the worth of his character and for what he has achieved in life.
source: Missouri the center state By Walter Barlow Stevens 1821- 1915 Submitted by Janice Rice- 2009