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Lilburn Adkin Kingsbury
(1884 - 1983)
Alex Hailey, author of Roots wrote: "When an old person dies, it is like a small library burning."
This was not true of Lilburn Adkin Kingsbury. I found his writings to be a small but very precious library. These writings include much of his historical research covering 150 years of life in Missouri's historic Boonslick country. They tell much of the mores and activities of its interesting people. I believe the nucleus of this material should be preserved as Lilburn's legacy to those who shared his love for the historic area.
From early childhood Lilburn always had one or more hobby horses to ride. These included collecting antique furniture, pressed glass, bottles, jugs, clocks and ultimately buttons. Other hobbies were genealogy, history, talking to groups, and writing articles and columns. All these are described voluminously in his principal hobby, letter writing.
His history hobby led to his becoming the first president of the Boonslick Historical Society.
In 1977 the Boonslick Historical Society, relatives, and friends gave Lilburn a surprise 93rd birthday party honoring him for his forty years of service to the society and his many contributions to the community.
- Warren T. Kingsbury, Editor
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Dr. Warren T. Kingsbury
(1905 - 2001)
Despite having resided in seven states and worked in all fifty,
Dr. Warren T. Kingsbury never severed his ties to Missouri's Boonslick Community. He was born in Boonville, graduated from high school there, received an A.B. from Central Methodist College and Master's from University of Missouri-Columbia. His Doctorate was earned at New York University.
Dr. Kingsbury is now Professor Emeritus at Arizona State University.
A warm and close relationship with his uncle Lilburn Kingsbury developed in 1928 when Lilburn and Warren spent ten weeks helping valet 1200 Missouri mules on a tramp steamer to Oran, Algeria and Barcelona, Spain.
Through the years, they kept in touch by correspondence and visits. Dr. Kingsbury was enchanted by stories his uncle told of his many hobby horse rides. He unsuccessfully tried to get Lilburn to write a book about them. Warren visited Lilburn shortly before his death. He asked Warren to review all of his papers, take those he wished, and arrange for others of historical interest to be given to the State of Missouri Historical Society. One of the things he said to Warren was "You always thought I should write a book about my hobbies. I was always too busy. Maybe you can find the time."
Finally, when he moved into Westminster Village in Scottsdale, Arizona, Dr. Kingsbury did.
HOBBY HORSE RIDER preserves many delightful hobby horse rides which contributed to Lilburn Kingsbury becoming a "living legend" well before his death.
Dr. Kingsbury feels this book is the most challenging and fulfilling achievement of what has been a distinguished career as author, educator, and consultant in organizational and personal human relations.
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