Agricultural development in Washington County is stimulated through the intelligently directed efforts and enterprising spirit of J. M. Bird, who is the owner of a very desirable farm property on Fish creek and is also interested in oil and gas production, being very capable in the management of his business interests. He was born in Barren County, Kentucky, November 13, 1866, his parents being James and Susan (Monroe) Bird, who were also natives of the Blue Grass state. There the mother passed away and the father removed from northern Missouri to Indian Territory in February, 1901, his death occurring in Bartlesville in 1907.
On the 24th of December, 1900, J. M. Bird left northern Missouri for this state, traveling with a team and covered wagon and being twenty-four days in making the trip. He had made the same journey, however, at the opening up for settlement of the Cherokee strip, being but fourteen days en route. He came at that time with the object of securing land but owing to the illness of his brother, who accompanied him, was obliged to leave without accomplishing his purpose. For a year after his last arrival he operated a rented farm on Mooney creek, three miles southwest of Dewey, after which he removed to the C. C. Wilson farm on Rice creek, cultivating that tract for four years. The next six years were spent on the Wilson Creek farm and he then returned to Rice creek, where he resided for three years, afterward purchasing his present ranch of eighty acres, situated on Fish creek, four miles southeast of Bartlesville. He has brought his land to a high state of development and has added many improvements thereto, including the erection of a comfortable home and substantial outbuildings. He has six producing wells upon his place and uses gas for heating, cooking and lighting purposes. He has eighty acres of grazing land within a half mile of the home farm, on which there are two producing wells. He raises abundant crops of Kaffir and Indian corn, oats and wheat and also grows garden truck, for which he finds a ready market. He is a practical farmer, utilizing the most progressive and scientific methods in the cultivation of his land, and for the past fifteen years he has engaged in oil pumping.
On the 12th of March, 1885, Mr. Bird was united in marriage to Miss Purcella Frances Pointer, a daughter of L. A. and Julia Ann (Cousins) Pointer, and they became the parents of ten children: Annie Boles, the widow of Charles Spaulding; James M., deceased; Bertha Erman, the wife of S. C. Horner of Bartlesville; John William, who was born May 25, 1891, and married Myrtle Robins; Delia May, deceased; Loie Cora, who married Leo McKane; Ernest Roscoe, who was born September 19, 1896, and married Jessie Zisler; Leslie Amos, born August 19, 1898; Mary Elizabeth, at home; and Robert Lee, whose birth occurred on the 3d of November, 1902.
Mrs. Bird is a member of the Baptist Church, while her husband is a Methodist in religious faith. The cause of education has found in him a stalwart champion, for he believes the public school is the bulwark of the nation and therefore deems it right that every child should be afforded the best educational advantages possible. He has been a member of the school board ever since locating here and it was owing to his efforts that the first free school was secured for Washington County. His interest and cooperation can always be aroused in behalf of any project for the welfare and up-building of his community and his worth as a man and citizen is widely acknowledged.