Person Page - 10

     Mary Ellen Kirkpatrick was born on 20 January 1832 at Montgomery County, Kentucky.¹ She married Dr. John Henry O'Rear, son of Daniel O'Rear and Mahala Rowland, on 15 September 1853 at Montgomery County, Indiana.^1,2 Mary Ellen Kirkpatrick was enumerated with Dr. John Henry O'Rear in June 1870 on the Census at North Salem, Indiana.³ Mary Ellen Kirkpatrick was enumerated with Dr. John Henry O'Rear in 1880 on the Census at Jamestown, Indiana.⁴ Mary Ellen Kirkpatrick resided in 1891 at Lebanon, Indiana.⁵ She appeared on the census of 1910 at Lebanon, Indiana.⁶ She died on 8 January 1916 at Lebanon, Indiana, at age 83.^1,5 She was buried on 10 January 1916 at IOOF Cemetery, Jamestown, Indiana.⁵

     William H. O'Rear married Emma (?).¹ William H. O'Rear was born on 4 July 1854 at Brown's Valley, Indiana.¹ He was enumerated with Dr. John Henry O'Rear in June 1870 on the Census at North Salem, Indiana.² William H. O'Rear died on 17 August 1939 at age 85.¹

     Armilda Jane O'Rear married Dr. Emory F. Lowry.¹ Armilda Jane O'Rear was born on 20 November 1856.¹ She was enumerated with Dr. John Henry O'Rear in June 1870 on the Census at North Salem, Indiana.² Armilda Jane O'Rear died on 10 July 1935 at age 78.¹

     Lillian A. O'Rear resided at Jamestown, Indiana.² She married Edward E. Camplin.¹ Lillian A. O'Rear was born on 15 September 1860.¹ She was enumerated with Dr. John Henry O'Rear in June 1870 on the Census at North Salem, Indiana.³ Lillian A. O'Rear was enumerated with Dr. John Henry O'Rear in 1880 on the Census at Jamestown, Indiana.⁴ Lillian A. O'Rear died on 21 September 1915 at age 55.¹

     Elizabeth C. O'Rear was born on 10 August 1862.³ She was enumerated with Dr. John Henry O'Rear in June 1870 on the Census at North Salem, Indiana.⁴ Elizabeth C. O'Rear was enumerated with Dr. John Henry O'Rear in 1880 on the Census at Jamestown, Indiana.⁵ Elizabeth C. O'Rear died on 21 June 1896 at age 33.³

     Oliver Perry Morton O'Rear was a postmaster.² He was born on 13 March 1866.¹ He was enumerated with Dr. John Henry O'Rear in June 1870 on the Census at North Salem, Indiana.³ Oliver Perry Morton O'Rear was enumerated with Dr. John Henry O'Rear in 1880 on the Census at Jamestown, Indiana.⁴ Oliver Perry Morton O'Rear was enumerated with Mary Ellen Kirkpatrick in 1910 on the Census at Lebanon, Indiana.⁵ Oliver Perry Morton O'Rear was a fire insurance agent in 1910 at Lebanon, Indiana.⁵ He died in 1953.²

     Charles Daniel O'Rear was born on 20 April 1868 at Hendricks County, Indiana.^2,3 He was enumerated with Dr. John Henry O'Rear in June 1870 on the Census at North Salem, Indiana.⁴ Charles Daniel O'Rear was enumerated with Dr. John Henry O'Rear in 1880 on the Census at Jamestown, Indiana.⁵ Charles Daniel O'Rear was educated between 1892 and 1895 at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.⁶ He was enumerated with Mary Ellen Kirkpatrick in 1910 on the Census at Lebanon, Indiana.⁷ Charles Daniel O'Rear was an attorney in 1910 at Boone County, Indiana.^3,7 He married Lucile Mynhier on 30 September 1911.¹ Charles Daniel O'Rear appeared on the census of 1920 at Lebanon, Indiana.⁸ He appeared on the census of 1930 at Lebanon, Indiana.⁹ He died on 20 February 1944 at Lebanon, Indiana, at age 75.¹⁰ He was buried on 23 February 1944 at Oak Hill Cemetery, Lebanon, Indiana.¹⁰

     Mary Scott O'Rear was also known as Manda.² She and Eldred E. Emmons resided at Omaha, Nebraska.³ Mary Scott O'Rear married Eldred E. Emmons.¹ Mary Scott O'Rear was born on 20 February 1870.¹ She was enumerated with Dr. John Henry O'Rear in June 1870 on the Census at North Salem, Indiana.² Mary Scott O'Rear was enumerated with Dr. John Henry O'Rear in 1880 on the Census at Jamestown, Indiana.⁴

     Katherine O'Rear was born on 20 January 1873.¹ She was enumerated with Dr. John Henry O'Rear in 1880 on the Census at Jamestown, Indiana.² Katherine O'Rear was enumerated with Mary Ellen Kirkpatrick in 1910 on the Census at Lebanon, Indiana.³ Katherine O'Rear died on 16 October 1921 at age 48.¹

     Margaret O'Rear was born on 30 April 1877.¹ She was enumerated with Dr. John Henry O'Rear in 1880 on the Census at Jamestown, Indiana.² Margaret O'Rear died on 27 September 1881 at age 4.¹

     Dr. Addison O'Rear married Liza Ann (?).² Dr. Addison O'Rear was born in 1834 at Montgomery County, Kentucky; E. C. Orear also has 1825 as Dr. Addison Orear's birth year.^1,3 He was enumerated with Daniel O'Rear on 1 June 1850 on the Census at Mt. Sterling, Kentucky.³ Dr. Addison O'Rear married Bettie Curr in 1857 at Clinton County, Indiana.^2,4 Dr. Addison O'Rear was a dentist in 1880 at Jamestown, Indiana.⁵ He was enumerated with Dr. Charles D. O'Rear in 1880 on the Census at Jamestown, Indiana.⁵ Dr. Addison O'Rear resided before 1905 at Clinton, Indiana. He died on 28 November 1905 at Thorntown, Indiana.^6,7

     Bettie Curr was also known as Jennie. She married Dr. Addison O'Rear, son of Daniel O'Rear and Mahala Rowland, in 1857 at Clinton County, Indiana.^1,3

     Leslie O'Rear was born in 1865 at Indiana.²

     Liza Ann (?) married Dr. Addison O'Rear, son of Daniel O'Rear and Mahala Rowland.¹ Liza Ann (?) was also known as Eliza (?).² She was born in 1829.² She died on 13 April 1905 at Thorntown, Indiana.²

     Dr. Charles D. O'Rear was born on 2 November 1839 at Montgomery County, Kentucky.^1,3,2 He was enumerated with Daniel O'Rear on 1 June 1850 on the Census at Mt. Sterling, Kentucky.² Dr. Charles D. O'Rear married Elizabeth S. (?).¹ Dr. Charles D. O'Rear appeared on the census of 1870 at Clark Township, Indiana.⁴ He appeared on the census of 1880 at Jamestown, Indiana.⁵ He was a physician in 1880 at Jamestown, Indiana.⁵ He died on 23 January 1884 at age 44.⁶ He was buried after 23 January 1884 at Orear Cemetery, Mt. Sterling, Kentucky.

     Elizabeth S. (?) was also known as Bettie (?).² She was born circa 1841 at Kentucky.¹ She married Dr. Charles D. O'Rear, son of Daniel O'Rear and Mahala Rowland.² Elizabeth S. (?) was enumerated with Dr. Charles D. O'Rear in 1870 on the Census at Clark Township, Indiana.³ Elizabeth S. (?) was enumerated with Dr. Charles D. O'Rear in 1880 on the Census at Jamestown, Indiana.¹

     Katherine O'Rear was called "Kitty."² She was born in February 1862 at Montgomery County, Kentucky.²

     Dr. Leslie O'Rear was born on 1 January 1854 at Camargo, Kentucky.^1,2 He was enumerated with Daniel O'Rear on 1 June 1860 on the Census at Mt. Sterling, Kentucky.³ Dr. Leslie O'Rear was enumerated with Daniel O'Rear on 1 June 1870 on the Census at Camargo, Kentucky.⁴ Dr. Leslie O'Rear was educated at University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky.⁵ He was a attorney having been admitted to the bar in 1874 at Kentucky.⁶ The following story is from a biography of Leslie O'Rear written by Judge E. C. O’Rear some years ago for Leslie’s daughter:

“May I add, he was the ablest, most accomplished man of the name I have known. The excellent scholar, the able lawyer, the exemplary citizen, and one of the finest gentlemen of my acquaintance.

"The foregoing chronology is bare enough, too bare, to portray this man as he truly was, and as I knew him. At the expense of being tedious, more must be added.

"Leslie was always a perfect gentleman. He was the soul of honor. He was urbane, dignified always. His tastes were true, his companions chosen of a like class. He was meticulously careful in his dress. When I was a dirty little boy, he oppressed me with his high notions and good clothes, and superior conduct. I felt a sort of reproach in it all. And in consequence I held him then in some awe.

"Though he partook of the pride and ambition of his mother, he was an O’Rear. He would grunt a sort of speech familiar to the ears of our womenfolk especially: I said grunt not growl. In my young days he was a strict disciplinarian perhaps a hang over from his school teacher experience. I suffered from his disciplinary authority. While I acknowledged my mother’s authority as one of unquestionable right, his I regarded as vicarious, and unjustified by the mere fact of his superior age and dignified manners. I wanted to be let alone. I found his authority heavy so was his hand. And he had the bad habit of sporting a walking cane. As he wasn’t lame I could see no sense of it. It was too handy. His heavy eyebrows looked too thunderous to me, until my own had grown to be even heavier. Yet, in my boyish heart I admired him tremendously and was proud of him and not a little afraid of him and thought him a grand fellow. As he was.

"Besides being handsome, he was a gallant young man, whose courtly attentions the belles of the day seemed to appreciate. It made him greatly popular with them. I could then see no sense in that either. And he was well liked by men, and respected beyond his age.

"Let me add, lest a wrong interpretation of the foregoing may be had, he was really kindly. I just seem to me, a boy, that he was gruff. But, you must know, that was a family mannerism, merely. “It’s the Calk in him.” They too, had the way (and have it yet) of looking severe (in the opinion of youngsters), and spoke with a deep bass voice that disguised really kingly hearts. When you knew them.

"This true anecdote may better depict to you the conditions I have noted above.

"When I was about nine or ten, and we had moved to Mt. Sterling from the village of Camago, a circus came to town, Now, it was not that glorified aggregation of wonders and tinsel that goes about on special railroad trains, with concentrated executive precision that unloads at night with a swish, and away to the appointed grounds. This was an old time caravan outfit that traveled through the country on its own power, horse drawn, arriving when it could from its last stand, probably fifteen or twenty miles away about the distance it could cover by morning after the previous night’s showing. Barn sides, bill boards and windows of vacant buildings had for weeks dazzled our eyes with highly colored poster advertisements of the coming events, and we youngsters especially were thrilled in anticipation. The beautiful ladies dangling from dizzy high trapeze, equestriennes riding standing on beribboned beautiful chargers, fluffy and curly and all that (women in dishabille were not the fashion in public in those days); the august ringmaster with his long whip, silk hat and high boots; the funny clowns and their trick donkeys; and the fearful wild animals, the lions, tigers, giraffes, elephants, and so on, and the quizzical little monkeys new to us (I had never before seen a circus.) Well, you can imagine our impatient eagerness to see it all. I had diplomatically, as I thought, and timorously in fact, broached the subject of a loan of twenty five cents or so, in order to qualify as a spectator. Les said nothing. My approaches were numerous, I may say rather persistent. He as persistently said nothing. The family exchequer otherwise was out of the question, I knew.

"When the great day arrived, it did arrive though tardily, for me and other young hopefuls of my age, I was up by daylight and we youthfully trudged out afoot to meet the circus, as it was known to be traveling in on the Winchester Pike that morning. Of course we were barefoot. it was warm weather. Some mile or so out of town, we came upon the caravan where it had halted for breakfast, and to prepare the horses and their riders in the sparkling finery for the grand parade. Of course, the elephant, camels and the like were traveling afoot. But our appetite for wonders was not to be appeased by such. The mysterious enclosed cages and wagons, from which was emitted occasional roars, growls and squeaks excited our curiosity no end. We formed an escort into town, you may be sure. We felt bound not to lose an incident of the marvelous event. Arriving at the “grounds”, the clattering of unloading tents, seat planks, and all was wonderfully confusing in its orderliness. The nonchalance of the keepers of the wild beasts filled us with awesome respect and admiration. I, with others, was cruelly imposed by the hardened roustabouts to carry water for the elephants, with an implied promise of free admission, which of course was repudiated at the door. I had deleted breakfast, for fear of missing something in the delay. Besides, my appetite was solely for the impending event. Watering the elephants took up till well after dinner, as the noon meal was then called. It was the afternoon performance when our claim for admission as assistants to the elephant tenders was bruskly repudiated by the authority in the long red coat at the door. Negotiations with the head of the house had failed. Our bargaining with the heartless underling had failed. Everything had failed, and we seemed doomed never to witness the splendors of the grand event.

"When I got home that evening, tired, hungry, grimy with dust, and perhaps not a little lack of tonsorial attention, with a sinking heart, I made a final appeal to the head of the exchequer for that all necessary twenty five cents. Nothing said. Nothing doing. But I was commanded to black his boots for him. It had been spoken of in the home that he was to escort Miss Anna Bell Glover, one of the belles of the town, to the circus that night. He had donned his best and his best were really the best all but the boots. They had to be shined - we called it blacked. Well, as I had the precedent of declinings before me, I declined to black the boots. He frowned at me. You know how that could look. But I stood my ground at convenient distance for a quick get away. I tried bargaining. His dignity would not admit of that. Finally Mother told me to go on and black the boots for him, that she was sure he would let me go to the circus. But that was Mother’s partial thinking, I felt, not his assurance. I wanted a contract. (The budding lawyer, you may think). But I couldn’t wholly ignore Mother’s request. I had an inspiration. I went to work manfully and shined one boot to a state of perfection, if I do say it. Then I inaugurated what had not been heard of before, by name at least I pulled a sit down strike: I refused to black the other one unless and until the quarter should be forthcoming. His authority being thus ignored, he started toward me with none too pacific purpose, as I thought. So I decided to take flight. That, though, would only save me a tanning. What I wanted and needed was to see the circus. He might in extremity decide to black the other boot himself, I thought. So, I grabbed one boot and fled. Being fleet of foot, I know I could outrun him, especially as he was shod in houseslippers only. And there was a convenient fence nearby, over which I could scuttle over as nimbly as a squirrel (tested in many a practice). I vaulted the fence and coursed through the adjacent pasture, he following, but being outdistanced. I got to the Hinkston Creek. At that point it was about ten or twelve feet wide and about twelve inches deep. I forded it with a splash (also frequently practiced theretofore). I knew he would not follow and soil his clothes at least, I thought he wouldn’t -- so I halted on the thither side and reopened negotiations for the twenty-five cents, offering to complete the blacking job. He was by then furiously provoked. Also helpless, he made as if to cross on some stones that stood at intervals of a few feet a little above the water, which was a flank movement I had not anticipated. But a good general is known by his ability to improvise new means in an emergency, so I gathered some rocks demonstrating by throwing one in the stream with force, splashing some dirty water and threatened if he dared to cross, I would douse him good. He prudently withdrew. Though I was left in possession of the field, with the boot. He called on Mother for reenforcement. The result of my negotiation with that fair intermediary was I was assured he would give me the ticket.

"So, there was an armistice, I finished the job of blacking the boots. I will say, it was a job well done, too. I did not intend the defendant could meet my demand for pay on the ground of partial failure of the consideration. He said nothing, but finished dressing and went to his appointment -- I believe you now call it a date. I hurried on down to the entrance to be on hand to collect. You have never been a boy, at his prospect of seeing his first circus, not perhaps felt the thrill and wonderment of the lighted tents, the flaming torches that lit up the entrance ways, and heard the band (I had never heard a band before) dispensing music only as, I imagined, the harped angels could do, and lacked a quarter, just one quarter -- of all the money minted, simply one little quarter between you and the realization of ecstasy. After ever so long, as those fleeting moments seemed to me, I espied him and his charming lady in the throng, approaching the ticket wagon.

"It was now or never. So I decided now. I sidled up to him as he called for two tickets - not two and a half. I plucked his coat tail, thinking maybe he hadn’t seen me. Well dressed gentlemen in those days, and on high social occasions wore the hats; and carried a gold headed cane (I have that cane now, presented to him by his adoring cousin, the adorable Fannie O’Rear). He looked down at me with is most awesome frown. It looked awful to me. Miss Anna Belle hadn’t seen me. Probably wouldn’t have known me anyway. But I held my hold on the coat tail. I felt his pride was greater than his anger at me, and he would not risk a “scene”. Nor even risk the lady’s noticing or hearing my as yet unspoken challenge. With one hand I held on, and held out the other, palm up. With a look that boded me no future good, he fished the quarter from his vest pocket and handed it over to me.

"I saw the circus.

"Never an early riser, yet for the following week I was up, and out, and gone, before the head of the house awoke. I was never chastised for it at all. And now I am sure that he had intended handing me the quarter at the last moment -- he had it all handy -- but meant to discipline me in another way than by flogging.”.⁷ He a presidential elector on the Democratic ticket in 1876 at Kentucky.⁵ He appeared on the census of 1880 at Marshall, Missouri.⁸ He resided in 1880 at Marshall, Missouri.⁶ He married May Collins Henderson on 30 April 1884 at Marshall, Missouri.^6,1,5 Dr. Leslie O'Rear affiliated with the Republican Party in 1896 at Missouri.⁵ He the Republican Party candidate for the U. S. Congress in 1900 at Marshall, Missouri.^7,5 He appeared on the census of 15 June 1900 at Marshall, Missouri.⁹ He died on 26 June 1900 at Colorado Springs, Colorado, at age 46.^10,11,12,13 He was buried after 26 June 1900 at Ridge Park Cemetery, Marshall, Missouri.¹⁴

     May Collins Henderson was born on 29 August 1860 at Glasgow, Missouri.^2,1 She married Dr. Leslie O'Rear, son of Daniel O'Rear and Sibba Mynhier, on 30 April 1884 at Marshall, Missouri.^3,4,1 May Collins Henderson was enumerated with Dr. Leslie O'Rear on 15 June 1900 on the Census at Marshall, Missouri.⁵ May Collins Henderson appeared on the census of June 1910 at Kansas City, Missouri.⁶ She resided on 18 September 1918 at Wichita, Kansas.¹ She died on 9 June 1926 at age 65.⁷ She was buried after 9 June 1926 at Ridge Park Cemetery, Marshall, Missouri.⁷

     Nell Findlay O'Rear married Walter R. Buchanon.² Nell Findlay O'Rear was born on 8 August 1885 at Marshall, Missouri.^1,2 She was enumerated with Dr. Leslie O'Rear on 15 June 1900 on the Census at Marshall, Missouri.³ Nell Findlay O'Rear was enumerated with May Collins Henderson in June 1910 on the Census at Kansas City, Missouri.⁴ Nell Findlay O'Rear died on 3 April 1951 at age 65.

     Leslie Henderson O'Rear was born on 6 September 1887 at Marshall, Missouri.^1,2,3 He resided before 1900 at Marshall, Missouri.⁴ He was enumerated with Dr. Leslie O'Rear on 15 June 1900 on the Census at Marshall, Missouri.⁵ Leslie Henderson O'Rear resided in 1900 at Kansas City, Missouri.⁴ He witnessed the death of Dr. Leslie O'Rear on 26 June 1900 at Colorado Springs, Colorado.^6,7,8,9

Circa 1905, Edward Thomas O'Rear in partnership with a man by the name of Leslie erected an office building at Kansas City, Missouri, which was called the Leslie-Orear building. On noticing this, Leslie Henderson O'Rear went to see Edward Thomas O'Rear , and jestingly thanked him for naming the building for Leslie Henderson . There was no surprise the next day to see that the name had been changed to the Orear-Leslie building.⁴ He and Mary Elizabeth Fray obtained a marriage license on 24 December 1908 at Jackson County, Missouri.^10,11,12 Leslie Henderson O'Rear appeared on the census of 19 April 1910 at Coalgate, Oklahoma.¹¹ He appeared on the census of 1920 at Chicago, Illinois.² He married Edna G. Tragnitz after 1924.¹⁰ Leslie Henderson O'Rear appeared on the census of 1930 at Chicago, Illinois.¹³

     Joseph Catlett O'Rear was born on 21 March 1892.¹ He was enumerated with Dr. Leslie O'Rear on 15 June 1900 on the Census at Marshall, Missouri.² Joseph Catlett O'Rear was enumerated with May Collins Henderson in June 1910 on the Census at Kansas City, Missouri.³ Joseph Catlett O'Rear resided before 1990 at Marshall, Missouri.⁴

     Vincent Marmaduke O'Rear was born on 2 September 1897.^2,3 He was enumerated with Dr. Leslie O'Rear on 15 June 1900 on the Census at Marshall, Missouri.⁴ Vincent Marmaduke O'Rear was enumerated with May Collins Henderson in June 1910 on the Census at Kansas City, Missouri.⁵ Vincent Marmaduke O'Rear was the Assistant Operating manager of the Swift & Co. plant on 18 August 1916 at Chillicothe, Missouri.⁶ He resided with May Collins Henderson on 18 September 1918 at Wichita, Kansas.³ Vincent Marmaduke O'Rear was the Assistant Operating manager of the Swift & Co. plant on 18 September 1918 at Wichita, Kansas.⁶ He registered for the draft on 18 September 1918 at Wichita, Kansas.³ He married Mary Fray circa 1925.⁷ Vincent Marmaduke O'Rear appeared on the census of 1930 at Evansville, Indiana.⁷ He resided before 1963 at Indiana.³ He died on 20 October 1963 at Hopkins County, Kentucky, at age 66.⁸ He was buried after 20 October 1963 at Old Lamine Cemetery, Blackwater, Missouri.⁹

     Loula May O'Rear was born on 10 July 1900 at Marshall, Missouri.^1,2 She was enumerated with May Collins Henderson in June 1910 on the Census at Kansas City, Missouri.³

     Millard Fillmore O'Rear was born on 3 March 1856 at Montgomery County, Kentucky.¹ He was enumerated with Daniel O'Rear on 1 June 1860 on the Census at Mt. Sterling, Kentucky.² Millard Fillmore O'Rear was enumerated with Daniel O'Rear on 1 June 1870 on the Census at Camargo, Kentucky.³ Millard Fillmore O'Rear married Louise Camplin on 4 March 1885 at Boone County, Indiana.^1,4 Millard Fillmore O'Rear appeared on the census of 1900 at Oxford, Indiana.⁵ He witnessed the death of Dr. Leslie O'Rear on 26 June 1900 at Colorado Springs, Colorado.^6,7,8,9 Millard Fillmore O'Rear resided on 13 March 1901 at Oxford, Indiana. He appeared on the census of 1910 at Beans Precinct, Kentucky.¹⁰

     Louise Camplin was born in 1861 at Kentucky.^1,2 She married Millard Fillmore O'Rear, son of Daniel O'Rear and Sibba Mynhier, on 4 March 1885 at Boone County, Indiana.^3,4 Louise Camplin was enumerated with Millard Fillmore O'Rear in 1900 on the Census at Oxford, Indiana.² Louise Camplin was enumerated with Millard Fillmore O'Rear in 1910 on the Census at Beans Precinct, Kentucky.⁵

     Isabelle Berkley O'Rear was born on 3 September 1858 at Montgomery County, Kentucky.¹ She was enumerated with Daniel O'Rear on 1 June 1860 on the Census at Mt. Sterling, Kentucky.² Isabelle Berkley O'Rear was enumerated with Daniel O'Rear on 1 June 1870 on the Census at Camargo, Kentucky.³ Isabelle Berkley O'Rear was enumerated with Sibba Mynhier on 1 June 1880 on the Census at Mt. Sterling, Kentucky.⁴ Isabelle Berkley O'Rear was enumerated with Sibba Mynhier on 1 June 1900 on the Census at Mt. Sterling, Kentucky.⁵ Isabelle Berkley O'Rear was enumerated with Edward Clay O'Rear in 1910 on the Census at Franklin County, Kentucky.⁶ Isabelle Berkley O'Rear was enumerated with Edward Clay O'Rear in 1910 on the Census at Mt. Sterling, Kentucky; He and most of his family also.⁷ Isabelle Berkley O'Rear was enumerated with Nancy O'Rear in 1930 on the Census at Frankfort, Kentucky.⁸ Isabelle Berkley O'Rear died on 15 March 1943 at Frankfort, Kentucky, at age 84.⁹ She was buried on 22 March 1943 at Machpelah Cemetery, Mt. Sterling, Kentucky.¹⁰

     Edward Clay O'Rear was born on 2 February 1863 at Camargo, Kentucky.^{3,4,5,6,7,8,9} He attended a one-room school (which he was later to refer to as the "University of Camargo") between 1869 and 1871 at Camargo, Kentucky. He was enumerated with Daniel O'Rear on 1 June 1870 on the Census at Camargo, Kentucky.¹⁰ His father died on 11 November 1871 when Edward Clay O'Rear was 8 years old.^1,2 Circa 1874, his mother moved the family to Mt. Sterling, Kentucky where Edward where he lived until he was about 17.¹¹ The following year, Edward Clay O'Rear began work as a "printer's devil" at the "Sentinel-Democrat" mewspaper in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky.¹² He was enumerated with Sibba Mynhier on 1 June 1880 on the Census at Mt. Sterling, Kentucky.¹³ In January 1881, Judge John Thomas Hazelrigg, who owned the Mountain Scorcher at West Liberty, Kentucky, appointed him editor of the newspaper and Edward began "reading law" with his employer.¹²

As someone who loved to tell humorous stories especially if they were about himself and some of the situations that he experienced Edward Clay O'Rear had a wonderful sense of humor. One story was about the time he was campaigning for J. Proctor Knott in Knott's race for Governor of Kentucky. It happened to be a bitter cold March day in 1883. Like many of his age with youthful self-confidence when told the Licking River was rain-swollen, he ignored the warnings and continued his journey home. He had to cross the Licking River a number of times with the final crossing being extremely deep. Not heeding the advice of a ferryman, Uncle Shack Easterling, just moments before,
     “I felt that I would not be liked by just a little old river even if it was the Licking. First step into the water my horse went under head and ears and I to my waist. I decided to swim alongside. The current picked us up ... carried us past the getting out spot ... on past the next likely spot ... I remember going by enough to see Uncle Shack, his face a frozen look of amazement and horror as he watched helplessly. Some distance down we were finally carried to the other side....”
At home, loved ones stripped him, wrapped him in warm blankets and placed him before a roaring fireplace. Doctors were called to tend to him and the pneumonia he had contracted. But as he later said, "I had learned a wholesome respect for old Licking when it was on one of its many rampages. Providence had evidently designed I should carry on for many more years”.¹¹

Admitted to the bar as an attorney on 16 March 1882, Judge O'Rear began his law practice at Salyersville, Kentucky.^14,15 He married Virginia Lee Hazelrigg (his former employer and mentor) on 30 November 1882 at West Liberty, Kentucky.^5,2,16 They moved in September 1886 to Mt. Sterling, Kentucky.²

Unsuccessful in his bid for Congress in 1888 for the Tenth Congressional District of Kentucky against John Henry Wilson of Barbourville, Edward Clay O'Rear conducted his campaign so that he gained a large amount of respect and admiration from his opponent.¹⁷ This was evident in that Edward Clay O'Rear was appointed the supervisor of the Federal Census of 1890 for the Tenth Congressional District of Kentucky largely because of the influence of his former opponent.¹⁷ A few years later, he was elected the County Judge in 1894 at Montgomery County, Kentucky,, the only Republican ever elected to the office to which he did not seek re-election.^18,19

Judge O'Rear tells the story of when he stayed with his uncle,, John Wesley O'Rear, during his uncle's last illness between September 1899 and December 1899 sleeping in the same room in case his uncle needed attention. They had gone to sleep when he was awakened by his uncle. Thinking he needed help, he leaned over to hear the feeble plea, "The clock. The clock." It seemed that his uncle had missed the familiar 'tick tock' of the old clock the "Judge" had forgotten to wind.¹¹ Edward Clay O'Rear and his family lived at Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, where they were enumerated on the Census of 1 June 1900.²⁰

Edward Clay O'Rear was elected justice of the court of appeals in 1900 for the Seventh Appellate District, Kentucky.^18,7,19 And moved with his family during court sessions in December 1901 to Frankfort, Kentucky. He became the Chief Justice of the Kentucky Court of Appeals in 1906.¹⁹ And was re-elected as Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals (without any opposition) in 1908 serving the Seventh Appellate District, Kentucky.¹⁹ He and most of his family also appeared on the 1910 census at Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, where they maintained their normal residence. It is presumed that a neighbor gave the incomplete information for this duplicate enumeration.²¹ He and his family appeared on the census of 1910 at Franklin County, Kentucky.²²

O'Rear resigned from the Court of Appeals of Kentucky at the insistence of many friends to accept the Republican nomination to the office of Governor. In the election of November 1911, after an aggressive campaign, he was defeated by James B.McCreary of Richmond, Kentucky.¹⁹ Following the unsuccessful campaign, he returned to private practice as an attorney in 1912 at Frankfort, Kentucky.^18,19

Judge O'Rear often told of the time he was in Philadelphia for a conference in regard to pending litigation with other Standard Oil Company attorneys. During a lunch at a prestigious club there, it seems the other attorneys (mostly graduates of highly reputable colleges and universities such as Harvard, Yale, and Princeton) were discussing their alma maters, and Judge Orear was asked his alma mater. He replied, "I went to the University of Camargo, Sir". Upon hearing his reply, the other gentlemen all remarked very knowingly upon what a great and wonderful school it was. One version of the story speculates that the other gentlemen assumed that the University of Camargo was a European institution rather than a small community one-room school.²³ He appeared on the census of 1920 at Franklin County, Kentucky.²⁴ He appeared on the census of 1930 at Franklin County, Kentucky.²⁵ He and Virginia Lee Hazelrigg were divorced circa 1932.^26,27

Following the death of Virginia Lee Hazelrigg on 20 November 1944 at Frankfort, Kentucky.^28,9,26 Edward Clay O'Rear married Mabel Taylor circa 1933 at Independence, Kentucky.^29,27 A trustee of the University of Kentucky Edward Clay O'Rear was appointed by Gov. Simeon Willis of Kentucky in August 1946. Because he was very interested in his family's history, much of the information concerning the O'Rears comes from work done by Judge O'Rear and his grandson, Edward Clay O'Rear II as they continued the early work of their kinsman, Dr. Ernest Day Everett. Judge O'Rear prepared a paper entitled "The Orear (O'Rear) Family" to accompany his grandson's short genealogical table of the family as known at the time. This paper was prepared for an O'Rear family reunion held about 1947 in Indiana, but copies have surfaced in many genealogical libraries throughout the United States.²³ Some time before 1950 he resided at Ashley House Farm, Woodford County, Kentucky.^30,31

On 26 May 1958, Ripley's Believe It or Not noted that Judge E. C. O’Rear and his father, Daniel, in their combined lifetimes spanned the administration of every President of the United States. Daniel O’Rear was born April 23, 1796, “within the stockade of Fort Boonesborough, Kentucky” while Judge O’Rear was born in Montgomery County, Kentucky on February 2, 1863. Judge O'Rear lived until after John F. Kennedy, the 35th U. S. President, was in office.^11,32 Gov. A.B. "Happy" Chandler presented Edward Clay O'Rear the Governor's Medal for Distinguished Citizenship in June 1959 at Frankfort, Kentucky. He died on 12 September 1961 at Woodford County, Kentucky, at age 98.^5,33,9 He was buried on 14 September 1961 at Machpelah Cemetery, Mt. Sterling, Kentucky.³⁴

Such was the respect and admiration of the public for Judge O'Rear that he cotinued to be honored years after his death. He was named as the first Contributing Citizen (Founding Era) in the Mt. Sterling-Montgomery County, Kentucky, Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame on 4 November 1998 at Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, Judge O'Rear was also the subject of an article in the April 2004 issue of the Kentucky League of Cities magazine.

     Virginia Lee Hazelrigg was born on 9 June 1863 at West Liberty, Kentucky.^2,3 She married Edward Clay O'Rear, son of Daniel O'Rear and Sibba Mynhier, (his former employer and mentor) on 30 November 1882 at West Liberty, Kentucky.^4,5,6 They moved in September 1886 to Mt. Sterling, Kentucky.⁵ Virginia Lee Hazelrigg was enumerated with Edward Clay O'Rear on 1 June 1900 on the Census at Mt. Sterling, Kentucky.⁷ Virginia Lee Hazelrigg was enumerated with Edward Clay O'Rear in 1910 on the Census at Franklin County, Kentucky.⁸ Virginia Lee Hazelrigg was enumerated with Edward Clay O'Rear in 1910 on the Census at Mt. Sterling, Kentucky; He and most of his family also.⁹ Virginia Lee Hazelrigg was enumerated with Edward Clay O'Rear in 1920 on the Census at Franklin County, Kentucky.¹⁰ Virginia Lee Hazelrigg was enumerated with Edward Clay O'Rear in 1930 on the Census at Franklin County, Kentucky.¹¹ Virginia Lee Hazelrigg and Edward Clay O'Rear were divorced circa 1932.^12,13 Virginia Lee Hazelrigg died on 20 November 1944 at Frankfort, Kentucky, at age 81.^2,3,12

     Prentice O'Rear was born on 12 February 1884 at West Liberty, Kentucky.^1,3,4 He appeared on the school census of 1897 at Montgomery County, Kentucky, as age 12.⁵ He was enumerated with Edward Clay O'Rear on 1 June 1900 on the Census at Mt. Sterling, Kentucky.⁶ Prentice O'Rear witnessed the marriage of Col. John Thomas Hazelrigg O'Rear and Hazel Terhune Middleton on 11 June 1908 at Winchester, Kentucky, by J. H. MacNeill with Anna Duerson as witness.^1,7 Prentice O'Rear was enumerated with Edward Clay O'Rear in 1910 on the Census at Franklin County, Kentucky.⁸ Prentice O'Rear married Virginia Tobin on 12 August 1913 at Jefferson County, Kentucky.^9,4,10 Prentice O'Rear registered for the draft for World War I between 1914 and 1916 at Lowndes County, Mississippi.¹¹ He resided before 4 March 1965 at Franklin County, Kentucky.¹² He died on 4 March 1965 at Lexington, Kentucky, at age 81.^12,10