BIRD, JOHN U., present county judge of Pinellas County, has been a practicing lawyer here for the past ten years, and a large part of this time has been devoted to official duties in one office or another connected with his profession. His experience and abilities give him first rank among the attorneys at Pinellas County.

Judge BIRD was born in Jefferson County, Florida, three miles from Monticello, September 12, 1888, a son of PRESTON B., and MARIA (ULMER) BIRD. His parents were both born in Florida. The BIRD family has lived in the state for several generations and is of English ancestry. His grandfather was a Confederate soldier. The ULMERs came to Florida in early times from Mississippi.

JOHN U. BIRD is the third in a family of nine children, six daughters and three sons all of whom are still living. He was reared on a farm at Monticello, educated in the public schools there, and studied law in a private office at Monticello. He was admitted to the bar in 1910, and after about a year of practice in his native county moved to Clearwater in 1912. Besides handling a general practice he served as city attorney here for eight years and prosecuting attorney for about eight years and prosecuting attorney for about eight years. He was then elected county judge, and has given a very careful and efficient administration of county affairs.

Judge BIRD is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and Elks. In 1913 he married KATHARINE DILLARD of Clearwater.