Obediah (Obadiah) Asbury Finney Vestal was the son of Michael Monroe Vestal and Isabell (Bell) Finney. His parents were never married. He went by the name Asbury Finney until he moved in with his grandfather Alexander Vestal. Then he started using the Vestal name. He must have had a hard childhood growing up as the "illegitimate" son of a minister in a small town where many people knew the facts of his birth. Perhaps his grandfather Alexander best understood him as Alexander was also the son of an unwed mother. Obe was especially close to his uncle, Ira Vestal, as they were around the same age. They eventually went into the distillery business together in Yadkin Co. The distillery business was legal in those days as long as the goverment stamp was purchased and placed on each keg. Only brandy and whiskey could be made. Rum was in great demand, but it was illegal to make it. Perhaps this is why Ira and Obe decided to move to Kansas. Or perhaps it was the disapproval of Alexander and Michael.

Obe married Louzina Carolina Swaim in Yadkin Co, Knobs Township, NC on April 14, 1889. His marriage certificate states the names of his parents. There is also a bastard bond at the NC Archives that shows Isabel Finney with Michael's father Alexander as the bondsman. Obe was the father of six children: Ella (step-daughter), Ethel, Marvin (William Elmer), Louis Cletis, Olive (Ollie), and Helen.

His line has been documented through Daughters of the American Revolution. Documentation: Obe's marriage certificate which names his parents and was signed by his 1/2 brother William and his tombstone picture. Louzina's death certificate, their marriage certificate, obit,and tombstone picture. The North Carolina Bastard Bond for Isabel Finney with Michael's father, Alexander Vestal, as the bondsman and the 1880 census.

Obe is living with his Vestal grandparents in the 1880 Census. Notice that Louzina is living with her mother Prudence as the nearest neighbor to the Alexander Vestal family.

In 1893, Obe moved his family to Haven, Reno Co., KS. There he bought a small farm where he and his uncle Ira set up their distillery business. Eventually, Ira returned to NC, leaving the business to Obe. In the 1895 KS state census, Obe's occupation is listed as a farmer. There is no mention of his distillery business. The possibility exists that the "still" here was not legal one.

Obe died tragically at the age of 33 in a fire at his distillery. Wheather accident or arson is unclear.

He was a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen,
AOUW Lodge No. 287 (Haven, Reno Co.)