Biography - SAMUEL WILSON BAIRD
A genial, obliging and efficient public official, Samuel W. Baird,
postmaster at Carlyle, is faithfully devoting his attention to the duties of
his position, being mindful of the interests of his patrons and true to
those of the government. A native of Illinois, he was born June 20, 1845, in
Edwards county, a son of Samuel Baird.
Samuel Baird was born in Indiana, and as a boy came with his parents to
Illinois, where he grew to man's estate. Becoming an agriculturist, he was
engaged in tilling the soil in Edwards county for a number of years. He
subsequently bought land in Wabash county, where he continued as a general
farmer until his death, in 1857. He was a Whig in politics, and an active
and valued member of the Christian church, oftentimes preaching on Sundays
in the rural churches of that denomination. His wife, whose maiden name was
Lucinda Stewart, was born in Indiana, and died, in 1884, in Illinois. Eight
children blessed their union, Samuel Wilson being the seventh child in
succession of birth.
Four years old when his parents settled in Wabash county, Illinois, Samuel
Wilson Baird acquired his elementary education in the rural schools of that
county, completing his early studies at Eureka College, in Eureka, Illinois.
He subsequently taught school two years in Lawrence county, in the meantime
working at the carpenter's trade in his leisure moments. A good mechanic,
and liking the work, Mr. Baird finally accepted a position with the old Ohio
and Mississippi Railroad as carpenter and bridge builder, and proved himself
so capable that he was soon promoted, being first made foreman of the bridge
builders, and later being division superintendent of bridges on the road.
Mr. Baird continued in this capacity until 1907, when he was appointed, by
President Roosevelt, postmaster at Carlyle, an office which he has since
held.
Mr. Baird has been twice married. He married first, in 1868, Julia Black, of
Salem, Illinois. She died five years later, leaving no children. Mr. Baird
married in 1896 Miss Lillian Belle Brigham, of Mannsville, New York, and
they have one child, Lillian Bernice Baird. An enthusiastic Republican in
politics, Mr. Baird is a strong supporter of the principles of his party.
Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons,
in which he has taken the Knights Templar degrees. Religiously he is a
member of the Christian church.
Extracted 11 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from 1912 History of Southern Illinois, by George W. Smith, volume 3, pages 1161-1162.
