Orson D. Card, a worthy and respected citizen of Scott, Kan., is a man of excellent attainments who has been prominently identified with the educational, business and public life of Scott county for the last twenty-five years. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born on a farm in Potter county, Jan. 12, 1859, to Benjamin and Louisa (Grimes) Card. Benjamin Card was born in New York state in 1829 and spent his whole active career in agricultural pursuits. In 1846 he wedded Miss Louisa Crimes, a native of Pennsylvania, as were her parents, and who was born in 1834. Both parents of Mr. Card are deceased, the father's death having occurred near Smithport, Pa., in 1883, and the mother's in 1906, in Potter county, Pennsylvania. Their union was blessed with eleven children—six sons and five daughters: Jasper, born in 1848, died in 1900; Levi, born in 1850, died in 1882; Lua was born in 1851; Lora was born in 1853 and died in 1909; Barbara was born in 1855, Eber in 1857, Orson D. is the next in order of birth, Marcus R. was born in 1860, Melvin D. in 1861, Mary A. in 1863 and Florence in 1865.

Orson D. Card received his education in public and select schools, in the Pennsylvania Central Normal at Lock Haven, where he graduated with the class of 1882. For the following four years he taught school in Pennsylvania; then in 1886 he came to Kansas and located in Scott county, where he took up a homestead and continued in the teaching profession until 1905. Exceptionally well qualified for the important responsibilities of school administration, he was elected county superintendent of public instruction of Scott county in 1892, in which position he served four years and labored indefatigably to promote the efficiency of its public schools. In 1896 he engaged in the abstract business and now owns the only set of abstract books in Scott county. He has entered actively into the public life of his community and is highly regarded for both ability and character by all who are admitted to his acquaintance. He served as a member of the school board four years, as city clerk and city treasurer eight years, and is city clerk at the present time. He has prospered in his business ventures and has acquired considerable property, consisting of both farm land and city real estate.

On Sept. 2, 1883, in Potter county, Pennsylvania, Mr. Card was married to Miss Clara Brock, born in Pennsylvania, Sept. 24, 1864. Of their union were born two sons: Benjamin A., born April 23, 1885, graduated in the University of Kansas with the class of 1910 and is an electrical engineer in New York state; and Harold O. was born July 10, 1894. Mr. Card and his family are members of the Christian church.