Volume 1, Number 7 - Spring 1963


Mrs. Edythe Conover

I was born just outside Delaware, Ohio, on April 17th, 1882, so today is my birthday! I married Ted Nestell in 1914 and for many years both of us were on the stage performing in the Ted Nestell Shows. Amongst our troupe were Mr. and Mrs. Steve Burton, now of Rockaway Beach, Missouri.

My father, Mr. Hyland G. Dutcher, was born 1855, died 1930, and my mother was born 1857, died 1946.

Ted and I had noticed some newspaper ads extolling the virtues of this wonderful country side on Lake Taneycomo, so we came here in 1914, the year we were married, and decided to make this our home where we could rest between shows. I persuaded my parents to come too, which they did in 1915, and they operated a grocery store on the main street just about where the Fisher hotel is now. When we first came to Rockaway Beach there were only three houses here, one occupied by Al Alms and his family, one by Mrs. Boyland (whose heirs later sold her house to the Burtons), and one other house. My husband, Ted Nestell, and I had the first large boat on Lake Taneycomo, named "La Nora." Ted died in 1923. On June 3, 1926, I married Larry Conover and we continued with our stage work for some years. Larry died at Rockaway Beach in May of 1954. I love the beautiful Ozark hills and have lived at Rockaway Beach for many, many years.

Mr. and Mrs. Ted Nestell in the days of their vaudeville work - known as the Ted Nestell Shows - about 1914.

Mr. and Mrs. Ted Nestell in the days of their vaudeville work - known as the Ted Nestell Shows - about 1914.

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