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CYRUS BYINTON McINTIRE. The name of a man of the type of Cyrus Byington,Mclntire, one of the leading and best known publishers of Missouri and Kansas a generation ago, should not be permitted to perish from our historical annals, for he did more to develop a higher grade of work in his special line of endeavor in the Middle West than anyone else had ever done and his efforts were greatly appreciated and their effects are still felt, although he has long been a traveler to the mysterious realms of shade of which poets and philosophers have dreamed and speculated since the dawn of civilization, or more properly, the beginning of man on the earth. Our subject was also a man who did an inestimable amount of good in a moral way, by both word and deed, his example having been such as to inspire right living in those with whom he came into contact.
Mr. McIntire was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, December 5, 1830, and was a son of James and Hannah (Bigler) McIntire. The father was for years a prominent business man of Cincinnati, in which city his death occurred prior to the breaking out of the Civil war. His wife was a daughter of Governor Bigler, who was chief executive of the state of Pennsylvania in an early day, and descended from German ancestry. The father was a prominent Presbyterian and gave largely of wealth to the church and its causes.
Cyrus B. McIntire spent his youth in Cincinnati where he was given every advantage in the way of education that the period afforded. He was educated for the Prebyterian ministry, but later discovered he had little inclination for the work of a minister and turned his attention to learning the binding business. In 1852 he went to St. Louis where he started the largest bindery in the Middle West which was a great success under his able management. He did all the legal printing for the state of Missouri as well as much work for private individuals. His work was far ahead of anything in its line ever before seen in this country, and the volumes which his presses turned out over a half century ago are still sound and show high-grade workmanship, comparing most favorably with modern work by our best publishing houses. Remaining in St. Louis until 1861, Mr. McIntire went to Kansas, locating his binding and printing establishment in the town of Leavenworth. His reputation had preceded him and he had all the work he could do from the start, including the state work. He remained in the Sunflower state until 1878 when he came to Springfield, Missouri, and opened a printing and binding establishment and continued with his usual success until his death November 5, 1885.
Mr. McIntire was a man of exemplary Christian character and never overlooked an opportunity to work for his Master. He was especially active and loyal in Sunday school work, which he kept up practically all through his business career. After locating in Springfield he was superintendent of the Sunday school in Grace Methodist Episcopal church until his death.
Mr. McIntire married Susan F. Fraser of St. Louis, March 6, 1856. She was born in New York City, November 15, 1837, and is a daughter of Mathew H. and Hetty Grace (Merritt) Fraser. Mathew Fraser was also a book binder by trade at Albany, New York, and he had charge of all the state printing in New York until he moved to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1852. The Merritts were an early Pennsylvania Quaker family. Mrs. McIntire died in St. Louis in 1860 and Mr. Mclntire some ten years later. Mrs. McIntire spent her girlhood in New York and she received a good education, being educated at the Mrs. Willard Seminary of Troy, New York. She is one of the oldest members of Grace Methodist Episcopal church, in Springfield. She is an earnest Christian and has practically devoted the latter years to the work of the church. She is a charter member of the local branch of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and is still active in the work. She also belongs to all the church societies of her denomination. She is superintendent of the jail and prison work for southwest Missouri, and while she has had many trying things to contend with, she has been very successful in her work in this connection, overcoming many discouraging obstacles and has become widely known for her work in this line. She was one of the leaders in establishing juvenile courts in this section of the country and in getting laws framed covering such courts.
Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McIntire, six of whom are still living, namely: Mrs. Nellie F. Banks, born in 1860; Stephen L., born in 1864; Mrs. Charlotte A. Barton, born in 1870; Mrs. Jesse May Banks, born 1872: Cyrus B., born in 1874; Mrs. Grace S. Bruer; those deceased never reached maturity.
Politically Cyrus B. McIntire was a Republican, but never evidenced a desire to be a politician or office holder. Fraternally, he belonged to the Knights of Honor, also Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was an active member of Grace Methodist Episcopal church.
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