Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis
Pub. Co. 1893.  p. 626.
 
JOHN BIRD

     a venerable and most worthy Oregon pioneer of 1847, was born in Kentucky in
1810. His parents were Robert and Rachel Bird, both natives of Kentucky, and
respectively of English and Scotch descent. They had six children, three sons
and three daughters, of whom the subject of our sketch was the oldest.
     He was reared on a farm in Kentucky, attending the schools in the vicinity,
and upon attaining his majority, he removed to Illinois. Here he was later
married to Miss Nancy Bland, a highly estimable lady of that vicinity. They had
six children: William, Samuel Bland, James M., Mary E., Pamelia J. and Robert
P., with whom they crossed the plains to Oregon in 1847.
     This long and wearisome journey, which abounded in perils to the unwary,
was endured with patience and cheerfulness by this little family, who had left
home and friends to seek their fortunes in the great West. In due time they
arrived in Oregon City, where they remained uninterruptedly until 1849, when Mr.
Bird went to the mines in California, lured there by the roseate reports of the
gold diggings in that locality. He returned in the course of the same year, and
removed with his family to Yam Hill county, where, in 1850, he took a donation
claim, located a mile and a half east of La Fayette. Here he built a cozy little
home, and together they experienced all the deprivations and hardships of
pioneer life. Here they resided until 1861, when he sold the place, which had
been a home for so many years, and moving to the city opened a tin and stove
store. This proved to be a successful venture, and was continued advantageously
until 1872, when he sold out at a good profit, and retired from active business.
While in business, he was elected TreasurerÊof the county, to which responsible
office he was three times re-elected, which was a most flattering indorsement of
his ability and probity.
     In his youth he was a Whig, but upon the organization of the Republican
party, he became an ardent subscriber to its cause, and during the agitation of
the war was a strong Union man.
     For many years he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is in
high standing in the Methodist Church, to the support and welfare of which he
has always liberally contributed, both of his means and influence.
     In 1882 his faithful partner for so many years, the devoted wife and
indulgent mother, died, in the midst of her loving family and friends. 

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in October 2008 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.