Born in the rural village of Bluevale, Canada, in 1859, Elias Disney maintained a peripatetic career that spanned farming, railway labor, and building contracting. Throughout a life defined by frequent relocations across North America, his pursuit of entrepreneurial ventures often yielded modest returns, yet his disciplined work ethic significantly influenced the early development of his sons, Roy and Walt.
Early Ventures and Migration
The son of Irish immigrants Kepple Elias Disney and Mary Richardson, Elias Disney began his working life on his father's farm. In 1878, he accompanied his father to Kansas in search of gold. Following a failed attempt at orange farming in Ellis, he secured employment in 1884 at a railroad machine shop, working alongside Walter Chrysler. His tenure in the railway industry extended to building the Union Pacific line in Colorado before a brief, unsuccessful period as a professional fiddle player in Denver.
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After a stint as a mailman and another unsuccessful attempt at orange growing in Florida, Disney settled in Chicago by 1890. He worked as a construction laborer for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. By 1900, he had transitioned into an active building contractor, constructing and reselling houses. He also served as a trustee for the Saint Paul Congregational Church, a structure he built and completed in October 1900.
The Missouri Farm Years
Seeking a rural environment to raise his children, Disney purchased a 40-acre farm near Marceline, Missouri, in March 1906, adding a 5-acre tract shortly after. The property featured diverse livestock and orchards. During this period, he joined the American Society of Equity, a farmers' union. Ill health, specifically typhoid fever and pneumonia, eventually led the family to sell the farm in 1910 and relocate to Kansas City.
Newspaper Distribution and Later Life
In 1911, Disney bought a delivery route for The Kansas City Star, employing his sons Roy and Walt to distribute both the morning Times and the evening Star to hundreds of customers. Beyond newspapers, he delivered butter and eggs sourced from Marceline. He remained in this business until 1917, when he moved to Chicago to manage the O-Zell Company. He later retired to carpentry, eventually living in Portland, Oregon, before his death in Hollywood in 1941.
Fast facts
- Born: 1859, Bluevale, Canada
- Died: 1941, Hollywood
- Buried: Forest Lawn Memorial Park
- Religious Affiliation: Congregational churches
- Major Farm Purchase: 40 acres in Marceline, Missouri, 1906
- Railroad Employers: Kansas Pacific Railroad, Union Pacific Railroad
- Church Project: Saint Paul Congregational Church, 1900
Questions readers ask
What was Elias Disney's primary occupation?
He worked in multiple roles throughout his life, primarily as a farmer, construction worker, railway laborer, and building contractor.
Did he have success as an orange grower?
No, his attempts at orange growing in both Kansas and Florida were unsuccessful.
