(15 September 1826- 31 January 1895)
Real Estate Owner and Insurance Agent, of Holly, Michigan, was born at Plattskill, New York, ( other locations of birth include Fishkill, Dutchess Co., NY from family papers and Newburgh, Orange Co., NY from familysearch.com but all sources agree on the date) September 15, 1826. He is the third of six sons of Isaac and Harriet (Maston) Baird, both of whom were natives of New York. His known brothers at this time are Selah, Peter and Isaac. His father was of Scotch descent, and his mother's ancestors were from Germany. His early boyhood was passed in his father's cooper-shop, to the exclusion of study; but, at the age of eighteen, feeling the need of an education, he left the shop, and, contrary to the wishes of his father, entered school. In six months he had mastered the higher arithmetic. After spending three years in that school, he became a student in the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, at Lima, New York, making rapid progress in mathematics,--his favorite study. After leaving this institution, he learned the joiner's trade, and followed it successfully nine years; but, by indorsing the notes of certain friends, he lost all his earnings. Disheartened by this misfortune, for nearly two years he led the life of a spendthrift. At length, reduced in purse and apparel, he roused his energies, and set to work as an agent of Elwanger & Barry, nurserymen, Rochester, New York. Going West, he stopped in Holly, Michigan, June 28, 1857; and there worked with such zeal and success in the sale and delivery of trees, that in ninety-seven days he made nine hundred dollars. In 1858, having bought land within the limits of Holly, he began speculating in real estate, which resulted profitably. In September, 1861, he enlisted in the 1st Michigan Cavalry, and was assigned to the regimental band. He was in the Shenandoah Valley under Banks, in his masterly retreat; with Sheridan in the Battle of Winchester; and also in the second battle of Bull Run. Athough a musician, and hence privileged to shun danger, Mr. Baird often fought in the ranks. September 14, 1862, his band was mustered out; and, on his return, having enlisted as a private in the 8th Michigan Cavalry, he commenced recruiting for that regiment. In March of the following year, he was mustered in as Lieutenant in Company K. For meritorious service in the charge against Scott's force at Lancaster, Kentucky, he was put in charge of the prisoners there captured, numbering four hundred and twenty-seven men and eighteen commissioned officers. These he turned over to the Provost-Marshal at Lexington, Kentucky, after a three days' tedious march, without the loss of a single one. August 6, he was commissioned First Lieutenant and regimental Quartermaster; and, on the 10th of September, was appointed Acting Assistant Quartermaster of the Third Brigade of Cavalry, Department of the Ohio. He was at one time chosen clerk of a courtmartial for the trial of certain officers of the 8th Michigan Cavalry, for false muster of men. He was in the besieged army at Knoxville, and there not only performed the duties of his office, but staid seventeen days with the men in the trenches,--a voluntary service. In the spring of 1864, he fitted out a train of sixteen hundred pack-mules for Stoneman's cavalry, and conducted it, through a march of twenty-eight days, to Sherman's force at Big Shanty, Georgia. He arrived with every animal, and all in good condition; for so careful had he been as to details, that not one had been deprived for a day of its rations of corn. In August of that year, he received a Captain's commission, and was relieved as Acting Assistant Quartermaster. As no reports from his regiment had been made for seventeen months to the Adjutant-General, all the officer's pay had been stopped. To remedy this, Captain Baird was detailed to collect all fragmentary reports, visit certain paymasters and hospitals, and give as complete an account of the regiment as could be obtained. After six months of close application, the work was acceptably accomplished. Captain Baird was honorably discharged, July 29, 1865. While in the service he was injured by a run away horse when he was on a volunteer duty on the front lines. When he enrolled in the service he was a carpenter and because of the injuries received he could not go back to his usual line of work. He then returned to Holly, Michigan, and again engaged in real estate speculation, and in manufacturing. In 1867 he became proprietor of the Bank of Holly; conducted it successfully three years; and then, it having been reorganized as the Merchants and Farmers' Bank, he was made its Vice-President. In 1872, when, chiefly through his efforts, it was again changed into the Merchants' National Bank of Holly, he remained in connection with it as a Director. Mr. Baird is the owner of extensive real estate in Holly; he built and still has an interest in Balcony Block,--the finest in the place. He was Director of the Holly schools nine years; and is a member of the Sons of Temperance; of the Odd-Fellows' Association; the Holly Masonic Lodge; and of the Royal Arch Masons, Chapter No. 80,--being Secretary of the last two. He was one of three who, in 1870, organized the Monitor Fire Insurance Company of Oakland County, and he became its Vice-President and acting assistant Secretary for three years. April 28, 1874, he organized the Citizens' Fire Insurance Company of Oakland and Genesee counties, and has since been its Secretary. Mr. Baird married, December 28 or 30, 1858 in Springwater, Livingston Co. NY , Miss Euphrasia Humphrey, a graduate of Rogersville Union Seminary, Dansville, New York. She was the daughter of Ozias Humphrey and Parnell Douglas. .John and Euphrasia had 6 children Bertha May Baird, John Elmer Baird II, Charles H Baird, Grace Baird, Bertie B Baird, and Anna Belle Baird. Three of their children did not survive to two years of age, Bertha May Baird (06 April 1861-29 July 1862), Grace Baird(12 July 1867-28 August 1867),and Bertie B Baird(06 July 1868-02 June 1869). Mr. Baird's mental caliber may be known from what he has accomplished. In the army, he was a brave and efficient officer; in civil life, he is a capable and public-spirited business man, who labors, not for mere self-aggrandizement, but for the common good,--desiring especially that Michigan should organize her own associations, and support the same, thereby ceasing to pay tribute to foreign capital.
Other documents
Source Info.
American Biographical History of Eminent and Self-Made Men with Portrait Illustrations on Steel, Volumes I-II
(01 July 1863-13 February 1932)
The second child and first son of John and Euphrasia started to work for the railroad at the age of 16 (or possibly even earlier.) He worked this job until his retirement and put in 42 years with the Chicago , Burlington and Quincy Railroad Company. At some point before 1890 he found himself in Wymore, Gage Co., Nebraska where he met Mable Burkhalter, daughter of Charles and Alvira David Burkhalter. He married her there in Wymore 04 June 1890. To them were born two children a boy, John Elmer III and a daughter, Florence Isabelle.
(09 September 1865- ?)
He met and married Sarah Dalphine Voorhies 27 August 1897 in White Lake, Michigan. They had 7 children, Stanley, Lucy Josephine, Janice Elizabeth, Ruth Dalphine, Anna Belle, Charles Addis, and Florence Jeanette. He also went into the insurance business.
(16 August 1870-1946)
The last child of John and Euphrasia married Henry Addis Leeson 15 July 1896 in Holly, Oakland Co., Michigan. Their children are Lillian, Charles Baird, Louis Addis, and Mary Alice. It has been recently learned that Addis was a Methodist Preacher. In fact in September 1898, he was appointed the first pastor of Laurium United Methodist Church in Michigan. He and Anna Belle are buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Manchester, Washtenaw Co., MI
"BOMPY"
(05 October 1892-January 1977)
John Elmer Baird III was born to John Elmer Baird II and Mable Burkhalter on the 5th of October 1892 in Wymore, Nebraska. In November of 1894 his parents gave him a sister, Florence Isabelle. During WWI he was a Lieutenant with the 2nd U S Engineers A.P.O. 710 American Expeditionary Forces. He first married a Florence Frost who died during childbirth before 1920. It is said she was the love of his life and he would never love another like he did her. In 1920 he was employerd by the Goodyear rubber company in Akron Ohio. John eventually remarried to Josephine Edna Stevens, daughter of Benjamin Dayton Stevens and Helen Brown, of Philadelphia, Pennsyvania and New York. John and Josephine had two children, Patricia and John IV. John III was a fisherman and enjoyed bowling. He and his wife Josephine moved to California and lived in Fallbrook. Josephine died 16 Oct. 1966 and John died in January of 1977. They are both buried in Fallbrook, California.
Many letters were saved through the years that John had written while in the Army during WWI. These letters have been posted to the following link for your reading enjoyment. WWI Letters to home.
John Baird IV
(18 December 1935-23 October 1962)
John was greeted to this world by his parents (John and Josephine), a sister Patrica and a half sister Ruth Helen. He grew up in Bridgeport Connecticut. He joined the Air Force and later married Susan Kimball of New York in Lubbock, Texas, on 30 July 1957, where he completed training. During the time of the Cuban missile crisis he was stationed at McGuire AFB in New Jersey. John was killed in October flying in support of the Cuban crisis of that time. He was in a brand new C-135 that stalled on final during the most difficult of approaches. He was not in the co-pilots seat at the time as the crew had three pilots and the other two were flying. The entire crew was lost in the ensuing explosion as they were carrying explosives. He and Susan only had one son, John Stevens Baird V.
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John Baird IV |
John is standing closest to the prop. Who are the other guys? |
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| This is the current generations of Bairds. John S, Michele, John M, Jennifer and Timothy. Photo taken in 2002 |
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This page last updated October 03, 2004.
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