Charles & George Bellows were brothers who operated the Parkdale Farm in the southwest corner of Maryville from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s. Their farm was most famous for its shorthorn cattle. They are on the Nodaway Stairway of Stars.
Profile of George Bellows in the Maryville Daily Forum, February 18, 1913
George Pudry Bellows was born in Champaign County, Ill., July 19, 1865. His parents moved to Missouri and settled on a farm near Guilford. His boyhood days to his majority were spent here, and here he laid the foundation for that sterling good character so marked in all his later life. In 1883, the farm was sold, and the family came to Maryville, purchasing what later became known as the Valley Home farm. At this time, Mr. Bellows began his career on his own. He attended Missouri State University for a year, taught a term at a country school, and served a term as deputy county clerk under John S. Miller. On September 15, 1886, he married Miss Lela E. Honnold. To this union, one son was born, Harold Honnold Bellows. The lure of the farm and his love of fine stock drew him back to the soil, and in 1888, he purchased an interest in Valley Home farm, where he stayed and engaged in breeding pedigreed Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China hogs. He was a close student, and an ardent love for his chosen work, together with his already acquired experience, soon rendered him an adept in the business. In 1893, he accepted a position as livestock advertising solicitor on the Iowa Homestead of Des Moines, Iowa, and Live Stock Indicator of Kansas City, Mo. In this line, his success was phenomenal. Beginning with energy, honesty, and a talent for making friends, his work as a solicitor earned the admiration and respect of colleagues and clients alike. His acquaintance extended to the best and most prominent breeders, and he was able to repay the value of the money spent to his employers. His work in the field throughout his entire connection therewith was of the most satisfactory character. Knowledge of Pedigree. His judgment of individuality in livestock and his faculty of clear expression made his reports of the prominent exhibitions exceedingly popular. In this particular, his papers were especially fortunate in the knowledge of pedigree. Mr. Bellows contributed significantly to livestock breeding practices, pioneering methods that improved breed standards and industry standards. Bellows had perhaps no equal. Twelve years of constant visiting among the improved stock breeders made him acquainted with practically every animal of note, and there are few, if any, of the prominent sires or dams of any breed of livestock whose pedigree Mr. Bellows could not quote off-hand. His expertise helped shape industry standards, influencing breeding practices nationwide, and his reputation as an auctioneer was built on his deep industry knowledge and integrity. Over the last two years, he adjusted his schedule to ride trains five nights a week to conduct that many sales each week.
George Purdy Bellows (1862-1913) on Findagrave (buried at Miriam Cemetery)
Charles Dilling Bellows (1864-1947) on Findagrave (buried at Miriam Cemetery)