Biographies : United States  W - Z

Baird, Washington L. 1839- [ Medical Practioner ]

A prominent physician of Hickory Valley, a native of Fayette County, Teun., born April 16, 1839, the sixth of eight children born to Capt. Charles Baird and Nancy T. Robards, who were both of Scotch-Irish descent. His father was a native of North Carolina, born July 16, 1797, and in early life came with his parents to Robertson County, Tenn. He was a Democrat in politics, for a number of years was captain of the State militia and a member of Primitive Baptist Church. His death occurred in Fayette County February 11, 1871. The mother was a native of Tennessee, born March 7. 1807; she was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church and died in Fayette County, September 17, 1867.
Washington L. received a good education in youth and having selected the medical profession, attended lectures at the Memphis Medical College, In 1860 he began the practice of his profession with an elder brother in Dallas County, Ark., remaining there one year, when he returned to Tennessee and began practicing in Springfield. September 26, 1861, Dr. Baird married Miss Callie V. Cunningham, a native of Davidson County, born in 1842, and to them have been born six children, one son deceased. In the spring of 1862 he moved to Dallas County, Ark., where he practiced medicine until the fall of 1863 when he enlisted as a private of volunteers and remained with Maj. Gen. Holmes one year. The entire company to which he belonged was captured, but he escaped capture while on duty as quartermaster. He then came to Tennessee and joined Gen. Forrest and remained with him until the close of the war. He then returned to Fayette County, remaining a short time with his father; then returned to Arkansas, for two years; then returned to Tennessee and after practicing at different points, settled in Hickory Valley where he has since remained. Dr. Baird has two married sisters whose husbands are distinguished men: Lamiza A., whose husband is Judge Joseph C. Stark of Springfield, Robertson County, and Emma H., whose husband is Louis T. Cobb, now a member of the State Legislature and represents the Twelfth Senatorial District. Dr. Baird is a Democrat in politics and a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church which he has served as recording steward seven years. Goodspeed's History of Tennessee, Hardeman Co, Tenn. 1887

Baird, William 1841-1883 [ Farmer ] Ireland-Canada-Usa

Well known throughout southwestern Dubuque county, was born May 26, 1841, and is a son of William Baird, for whom he was named. The elder Baird was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in the year 1800. He emigrated to Canada in 1828, and two years later went to Philadelphia, where for a period of thirty years he was engaged in cotton manufacturing. Owing to the financial panic of 1857 he was compelled to give up that line of endeavor, and that year came to Dubuque county, Iowa, and bought a farm of 160 acres in section 30, White Water township. He was a man of superior intelligence and strong character. For fifty years he was a member of the United Presbyterian church, and he was one of the primer movers in the establishment of a church of that denomination in Cascade. He died in 1883.

While in Philadelphia, on October 24, 1832, he married Jane Buchanan, a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, who died in 1882 at the age of seventy-six years.
Their children were: Ann Jane, born September 4, 1833, died June 29, 1834; James, born November 3, 1834, noted for his great interest in the Masonic fraternity, having been secretary of the local lodge thirteen years, served during the Civil war as a member of Company I, Twenty-first Iowa Volunteer Infantry, died at Freeport, Illinois, in 1904; Margaret, born on Christmas day, 1836, died November 4, 1839; William, the subject of this sketch; Robert, born January 6, 1843, died October 2, same year; Mary Ann, born April 3, 1849, died November 21, 1853; Margaret (2), born October 12, 1844, now living with her brother, William; Robert, born March 6, 1851, died February 2, the following year.
William Baird, the one whose name heads this sketch, never married, but lived with his sister, Margaret. He has always followed farming and stock raising as an occupation, but in 1909 moved into the village of Cascade, where he and his sister have since lived retired from the more active duties and cares of life. Fifteen years ago, when the old United Presbyterian church at Cascade was reorganized as a Presbyterian church, Mr. Baird was one of its chief supporters. He is a Republican and for twenty-seven years served as secretary of the independent school district of East Cascade, and since the introduction of the Australian ballot system in this country has been clerk of election.
History of Dubuque County, Iowa; Weston A. Goodspeed, ed. by F. T. Oldt and P. J. Quigley; Chicago 1911

Baird, William C. 1853- [ Rancher ]

Born in Hickman county, Tennessee, October 17, 1853, where his parents, S. M. Baird and Sarah Totty, were also natives, he was when a babe of three month taken to Texas, the family home being located in Cooke county, where his father developed a farm, and some years later moved to Grayson county, but finally located in the northeast corner of Wise county, where he died in 1888, and his good wife has also passed away.

Farming pursuits were the principal theme of Mr. Baird's early life, but almost as early as he can remember he was also associated with the cattle industry, and he was soon a full-fledged cowman. With his brother, Ed Baird, he secured employment as a cowboy with the well known cattle firm of Gunter and Munson. Their ranch was the well known "T Anchor" ranch, which then embraced an immense tract in the central Panhandle, the headquarters being on Palo Duro creek near where Canyon City now stands, and the old log house at the headquarters is still standing at the head of the canyon.
In 1891 he quit working for others and with his brother Ed established the Baird ranch in Randall county ten miles west of Canyon City, which is one of the representative ranches of the county, and they raise and handle large numbers of cattle each year. In addition to the ranch Mr. William Baird himself owns half a section on the creek adjoining the town of Canyon City, and this is his homestead. Mr. Baird took a prominent part in the organization of Randall county, in July, 1889, and he was one of the first county commissioners. At the present time he is a school trustee, and has taken an active part in the erection of the fine twelve thousand dollar public school in Canyon City, and is one of the typical spirits who have made Randall county a model educational center. He is a member of the Christian church. Mr. Baird was married in Grayson county to Miss Nannie Baird, and they have three children, Alvis, Clyde and Clara.
History and Biographical Record of North and West Texas. B. B. Paddock, Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1906

Baird, Capt William Graham [Military - Postmaster ]

The parents of Capt. Baird were the first citizens of Fort Smith, Arkansas, then known as Old Logtown, in which place he was born on March 20, 18--. He was educated at St. Ann’s Academy at Ft. Smith. When war began between the states, he enlisted in the Homeguard, Kings Brigade, Company C, of the Arkansas Volunteers. This company consisted of one hundred twenty-five men. Of this number only two men survived, James Reed of Ft. Smith, and Capt. Baird of Wilburton. From Corporal he was promoted to the rank of Captain, and in 1863, was made Aid de-camp then transferred to the Indian Territory and attached to the Staff of Gen. J. T. McCurtain, who was at the head of a regiment of fighting pioneers.

As a little boy in the small log town of Ft. Smith, William Baird and Mary DeHart lived across the street from each other and were childhood sweethearts. Their friendship continued, with correspondence and on January 18, 1865 they pledged each other a companionship which lasted until death parted them. The bride remained a few months with her parents, then joined him in their new home at Shawnee town on Red River in the Choctaw Nation. Here their first child was born. Later he entered upon a business career at Wheelock, then returned to the Arkansas River valley and procured a farm in the shadow of old Sugarloaf Mountain, only to return to the Indian Territory in 1868, and establish a trading post at Mountain Station. Later they moved to Colorado where they resided three years. Returning to Indian Territory they settled at Limestone, near the future site of Wilburton, where he was associated with J. T. McCurtain in business, later moving to Boiling Springs.

When the Post Office was established at this place he named it Ola, for his daughter, Ola Baird, and became the first Postmaster there in 1884, and a new one was established at Wilburton, he moved there and became the first Postmaster at that place. He was the first merchant in Wilburton and from time to time was engaged in business there, was the first City Treasurer and was always prominent in city and county affairs. His parents were life-long members of the Presbyterian Church and after moving to Wilburton in 1890, he was instrumental in organizing a church of his faith, which was organized by Rev. Burks, in a grove of trees where now stands Mrs. Louis Rockett’s home. Later through the efforts of him and his good wife, a church building was erected. He is survived by two sons and two daughters, Mr. Jim Baird, and Mrs. Ola Shaw of Wilburton; Mr. Frank Baird of El Paso, Texas; and Mrs. Marvin Petty of Cleburne, Texas. The oldest son, Charles Baird, died some years ago and is buried at Old Riddle Station, a point on the Ft. Smith and Fort Washita military road.
Chronicles of Oklahoma Volume 4, No. 3, September, 1926

Baird William J. 1844- aft 1885 [ Newspaper editor and proprietor ]

Born in Vevay July 14, 1844, son of John and Jane Baird, natives of Ireland, Scotch-Irish Presbyterians. His parents married in Ireland, and about 1840 immigrated to the United States and located in Vevay, his father a cabinet-maker by trade.
Mr. Baird began the printing trade when about eleven years of age; subsequently was employed as clerk in the drug store of Isaac Stevens, and then returned to his trade. In 1861 he went to Clarksburg, W. Va., where he assumed the business and mechanical control of the "Telegraph," a paper founded by John S. Carlisle, remaining there about one year. He then returned to the "Gazette" office, Cincinnati, and a few months in river trading he purchased the "Reveille" office in December 1864. In 1867 he was engaged in the United States revenue service as inspector of tobacco, snuff and cigars, the office being abolished about one year later. In 1869 he made a trip to Europe, visiting England, Ireland and Scotland, and except this interval has remained steadfastly at his post as editor of one of the best local papers in this section of the State. Mr. Baird was married in 1866 to Alice Charlton who died in 1868. His present wife is Sallie Heden, daughter of David and Elizabeth White Heden, her father one of the oldest merchants of New Albany, Ind. Mr. Baird is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
History of Switzerland County, Indiana 1885. Chicago: Weakley, Harraman & Co., Publishers, 1885

Baird, William S. 1863- [ Senator ]

Senator from the nineteenth district, composed of Pottawattamie county, was born in Council Bluffs, June 3, 1863. Parents native of Pennsylvania. Father, Rev. Samuel Baird, methodist preacher. Mother, Matilda Hanks Akers. Married Anne E. Wood, now deceased, of Logan, Iowa, January 9, 1895, daughter of John W. and Eliza A. Wood. Children, John W. (William S. Jr., deceased), Lucy W. (deceased), Robert M., Donald P. and Margaret (deceased). Graduated from high school, Council Bluffs, 1880. Graduated from Cornell college, Mt. Vernon, Iowa, 1884. Admitted to practice law, 1887. Trustee free public library, Council Bluffs. Member of Masonic order and Knights of Pythias. Elected senator, 1920, reelected 1924. A republican in politics.
Iowa Official Register 1927-1928 - Biographies of State Senators

Baird, Zebulon 1764 - 1824 [ Merchant - Senator ]

Son of William Baird and Margaret O'Riley was born in NJ in 1764. After the death of his father, he, his sister, and all of his brothers except John, went south with their widowed mother. They settled near Morganton, in Burke Co. They brought the first wagon up Saluda Mountain. Zebulon and his brother joined Daniel Reynolds in buying land and selling lots which helped to create the town of Morristown, now known as Asheville. They donated land for the first courthouse in the center of the town called "the Square." It was built near the site of the present courthouse.
They also purchased a grist mill on a branch of the French Broad River, be- low the mouth of the Swannanoa River. This was probably the first grist mill in Buncombe Co. The Baird brothers were the first merchants in town. They had a store near the present Northwestern Bank building, and made trips to the coastal towns with furs, meat, flour, molasses, and other goods, trading for dry goods, cookware, shoes, etc. to sell in their store.

Zebulon served as a Captain in the Army during the Revolution. Later he served in the House of Commons (1800-1803). He was also in the Senate between 1806 and 1822, and married Hannah Erwin, daughter of Alexander and Sara (Robinson) Erwin. They had seven children: John, who married Laney Wilson; James, who married Isabella Walker; Andrew and Joseph, who both lived in Asheville; Adolphus Erwin who married Lorretta Hunter; Myra Margaret who married David Vance and became the parents of Zebulon Baird Vance; Sara Ann, who married Bacchus J. Smith; and Mary Adelaide, born 1826. Zebulon lived until his death on the eastern side of the French Broad River about two and a half miles north of Asheville. He became ill while riding the road between Reems Creek and his house and died March 9, 1824. Old Buncombe County Heritage - North Carolina, Vol. I article no 218, p. 143

Baird Zebulon 1817-1877 [ Lawyer ]

Was of Scots descent, born in New Jersey and reared and educated in Ohio; His great-grandfather, John Baird, was the Scottish ancestor who came to America in 1683 and, although a lad under the age of twenty, purchased a goodly tract of land at Marlboro, Monmouth county, New Jersey, and proceeded to erect a homestead. John married, and his descendants were men of large landed interests and social consequence.
The second generation of American Bairds became connected with another of New Jersey's substantial families-one of political prominence in colonial times-by the marriage of James Baird and Deliverance Bowne, they had six children one being Zebulon, born December 21, 1817.

Soon after his birth, his parents left their New Jersey home and settled upon a farm in Warren county, Ohio. Here Zebulon grew and studied, as a staunch Presbyterian. His college course at Miami University completed, he began the study of law under Governor Thomas Corwin at Lebanon, and in the spring of 1838 he was admitted to the bar of Ohio; a few months later he began practice at Lafayette, Indiana, in partnership with Judge Ingram, and when the Civil war came on he entered service as captain under General Milroy. During his army experience at the second battle of Bull Run, he was captured, and made an inmate of Libby Prison.

Returning home, he devoted himself to professional work and in the few remaining years of his life he earned a reputation in Indiana as one of the ablest and most thoroughly equipped lawyers of its bar. Joseph E. McDonald, formerly United States senator from Indiana, read law in the office of Mr. Baird, and the success which he later won, both as an attorney and politician, he attributed to the splendid training he had received from his legal patron, whom he declared to be one of the ablest lawyers ever produced by the state of Indiana. Zebulon was married on January 22, 1839, to Martha M. Probasco, whose father was the late Rev. John Probasco, of Lebanon, Ohio. Five children were born of this union. Mr. Baird died January 29, 1877, and his widow on the 22d of June, 1898.

Children: John P. Baird, Samuel P. Baird - Born in Lafayette, IN. Entered the US Naval Academy and graduated in 1865. Resigned as a Lieutenant in 1873. Entered into the practice of law with his father, Zebulon. In 1881, he married Elizabeth DuTiel Rochester. Elizabeth Baird, Annie Baird and Lucy Baird b. 1845, d. 1848 All buried in Greenbush Cemetery: Past and Present of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, 1909, Vol. 2, pp. 560-562