In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1857, Springfield Township
From 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908)
A. VAN BIRD, county surveyor of Clark County, and a well known resident of Springfield, was born September 19, 1857, four miles east of Springfield in Springfield Township, and is a son of Silas Van Bird.
Silas Van Bird was born in Virginia and came to Springfield, Clark County, Ohio, in 1816. He was a millwright by, trade, and followed the same for many years during his early life, but subsequently located on a farm near Springfield, and was engaged there in fai'ming until his death in 1892.
A. Van Bird was reared in Spring-field Township, and attended the district schools, later graduating in 1880 from Wittenburg College, after which he spent much time in traveling. In 1888 Mr. Bird was elected township clerk and also assistant to county surveyor William Sharon, and in 1897, upon the appointment of the latter to the Board of Public Service, Mr. Bird was appointed county surveyor by Judge J. C. Mills and Judge Distin, and has since served continuously in that capacity. In 1886 Mr. Bird was united in marriage with Martha J. Hoffman, and they became the parents of two sons and two daughters, namely: Laui'a E., Silas Van, Martha M., and Paul S. Mr. Bird is a member of the First Baptist Church of Spi'ingfield.
As printed in 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1908. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.