Edward C. Orear was born in Mount Sterling, Kentucky,
February 14, 1856. His parents came to Missouri in 1872, and
settled on a farm in Bates County. Here the young Orear passed
all his boyhood alternately working on his parent's farm, and taking
advantage of the scant schooling afforded in the district schools of
the county. It was in 1890 that Mr. Orear came to Kansas
City. He went to work by the day as a painter, and he remained
in the business as an employee until 1897, when he entered into
partnership with E. E. Agin as the junior member, the firm style being
Agin & Orear. While an employee, Mr. Orear joined the
Painters' Union No. 4, the members of which elected him recording
secretary soon after his admission and later he was sent to the
Industrial Council by the union, as its representative in that
body. This place he held for two years.
Mr. Orear, while not at any time connected
with political parties in an official capacity, took more than a
passing interest in the welfare of the Democratic party, and as a
reward for his zeal and earnestness was placed in nomination by that
party for the position of Judge of the Western District in 1902.
He is a member of a number of secret and
benevolent societies, among them the Knights of Pythias, the Pyramids,
and the A. O. U. W., being treasurer of No. 303 of the latter
organization.
He was married in 1895 to Miss Sloan, of this
city.
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