Laverne Kirby Wilder
a.k.a. Verne
birth: 16 August 1894 - Missouri
death: 4 May 1990 - Joplin, Missouri
burial: Mount Hope Cemetery, Webb City, Jasper County, Missouri (Find A Grave link)
father: Thomas Albert Wilder (1855 - 1903)
mother: Sarah Frances Fannie Kirby (1861 - 1936)
marriage: Dora Dean Eads (1904 - 1978)
date/location: 29 April 1929 - Los Angeles, California
(no children)
OTHER
Verne was a pharmacist and operated a small drugstore at 224 Main Street with his brothers Jay and Charles. In 1932, Verne opened and operated his own drugstore at 1216 Main. The following year, after the repeal of Prohibition, he decided to convert it into a bar and package store. He was somewhat forced into opening a restaurant however because of a law that required businesses which sold liquor to also sell food. Wilder's reputation for fine food and fun times quickly spread and the restaurant earned a four-star rating with its seafood, prime rib, pork chop, and steaks. The restaurant's success required constant expansions and remodeling. At its peak, Wilder's occupied six buildings on the block and could accommodate 750 customers. The food was not the only attraction to Wilder's. It was also known for its Las Vegas-style gambling hall upstairs. That ended in 1949 when the Jasper County prosecution attorney raided local establishments where gambling occurred. Verne sold Wilder's and retired in 1970. Wilder's has continued to operate at 1216 Main Street with various owners.
(Source)
birth: 16 August 1894 - Missouri
death: 4 May 1990 - Joplin, Missouri
burial: Mount Hope Cemetery, Webb City, Jasper County, Missouri (Find A Grave link)
father: Thomas Albert Wilder (1855 - 1903)
mother: Sarah Frances Fannie Kirby (1861 - 1936)
marriage: Dora Dean Eads (1904 - 1978)
date/location: 29 April 1929 - Los Angeles, California
(no children)
OTHER
Verne was a pharmacist and operated a small drugstore at 224 Main Street with his brothers Jay and Charles. In 1932, Verne opened and operated his own drugstore at 1216 Main. The following year, after the repeal of Prohibition, he decided to convert it into a bar and package store. He was somewhat forced into opening a restaurant however because of a law that required businesses which sold liquor to also sell food. Wilder's reputation for fine food and fun times quickly spread and the restaurant earned a four-star rating with its seafood, prime rib, pork chop, and steaks. The restaurant's success required constant expansions and remodeling. At its peak, Wilder's occupied six buildings on the block and could accommodate 750 customers. The food was not the only attraction to Wilder's. It was also known for its Las Vegas-style gambling hall upstairs. That ended in 1949 when the Jasper County prosecution attorney raided local establishments where gambling occurred. Verne sold Wilder's and retired in 1970. Wilder's has continued to operate at 1216 Main Street with various owners.
(Source)
Verne owned a liver and white pointer (dog) named "Old Joe." Artist Robert Higgs (1916 - 1967) did an oil painting of Old Joe and it was the first painting Mr. Higgs ever sold. Although Verne did not like the painting, he bought it because Mr. Higgs needed the money to get married! The painting proudly hangs in a private family collection. Old Joe is also on the cover of the Missouri Wildlife, Volume III, Number 1, dated September 1940.

World War I Draft Registration Card | |
File Size: | 182 kb |
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1940 US Census | |
File Size: | 2599 kb |
File Type: | jpg |