C.D. McBrayer was born in a Wichita hospital January 7, 1911, to
      Mr. and Mrs. Chas. H. McBrayer of Kiowa. He was graduated from Kiowa
      High School in 1928, then attended a junior college, Kemper Military
      Academy, Booneville, Missouri, where he was an outstanding cadet. He
      worked for a time with a crew of surveyors for the telephone company
      in Kiowa, then as bulk distributor for Champlin Oil Company. He and
      Carl Brattin had the Pontiac franchise in the 1930's, and from 1950-
      54 he was one of four men who owned the Kiowa Funeral Home.
        In 1935 he was married to Sylvia Rhoades, the daughter of Mr. and
      Mrs. E.A. Rhoades of Ashland, who was employed by the Kiowa Telephone
      Company. They had three children: Marilyn, a registered nurse who is 
      now Mrs. Chas Perkins and a school nurse in Oklahoma City; Kent, who,
      with his wife, Judy, is employed by the Caterpillar Tractor Co. in 
      Peoria, Illinois; and Craig, Doctor of Osteopathy presently living
      with his wife, Renee, in Akron, Ohio.
        "Mac," as he is known by his family and friends, is past master of
      Cosmos Lodge and a member of the Wichita Consistory and Midian Shrine.
      Syliva was a past matron of EAstern Star and both were involved with
      Rainbow Girls for a number of years. Sylvia was school secretary for
      15 years until her death in 1971. C.D. was engaged in farming and
      ranching until the McBrayer ranch was sold in 1976 and he retired. 
      When the city of Kiowa purchased the electrical system of Western 
      Power and began its operation in 1976, he was appointed secretary-
      treasurer of the Board of Electric and Water Utility Commissioners.
        In 1972 he married Mary Jane (Janie) Stairs, widow of Hobart Stairs.
      They spend the summer months at their mountain home in Rye, Colorado,
      and the winter season in Kiowa.  
        "Hobie" Stairs assumed manegement of Stairs Jewelry Store in 1933.
      J.H. Stairs, Sr. came to Kiowa in 1894 and established the jewelry 
      store in 1898, a family business in Kiowa for 71 years. It was closed
      in 1969, one year following the death of J.H. Stairs, Jr.
        Janie also worked for the Frazer-Henry Agency for 16 years. She has
      a daughter, July (Mrs. Ron) Allison of Cherokee, Oklahoma, and two
      grandsons.
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas, pg. 292 
     Submitted by: Jean M. Brown.