BIRD, Arthur Richard (1865-1949)

BIRD, THACKER, DAVIS, MUNSELL, OSTEN, HAMILTON

Posted By: Elaine Harrington (email)
Date: 10/15/2006 at 18:43:23

The Malvern Leader
dated December 22, 1949:

FINAL RITES HELD FOR A. R. BIRD
Came to Iowa from Illinois in His Earlier Years

Another of Mills county pioneers, A. R. Bird, passed away Dec. 18 (1949) and final rites were held Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the Mansfield Funeral home, conducted by the Rev. Nobel B. Blackman, pastor of the Methodist church.

Mrs. J. E. Ellison accompanied Mrs. C. D. Costello when she sang “Good Night and Good Morning: and “We’re Going Down the Valley.” Pall bearers were Roy Winters, John Mott, Archie Haines, Floyd Messinger, W. H. Maddocks and Charles Goodman. Interment in East Liberty cemetery.

The following life sketch was read at the service:

Arthur Richard Bird was born on a farm near Lawrenceville, Ill., Sept. 13, 1865 and moved to Iowa in the earlier years of his life.

He was united in marriage with Maude Hamilton Nov. 2, 1893 at Glenwood. To this union eight children were born, two of which preceded in him in death, Garrill and Laura.

He lived on a farm in the East Liberty community for 49 years and was a member of the East Liberty Methodist church.

He and his wife moved to Malvern in October, 1943 and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary that year.

He became ill and felt that he would not be here to celebrate another Christmas with his family. He was taken to the hospital where he passed away Dec. 18 at the age of 84 years, three months and five days.

He leaves to survive his passing six children: Murl of Glenwood, Vivian Thacker of Kansas City, Mo., Gladys Davis of Sioux City, Russel Bird of Malvern, Mrs. Isabel Munsell of Kansas City, Mo., and R. K. Bird of San Francisco, Calif.; 17 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; and one sister, Mrs. Emma Osten, of Long Beach, Calif.