History of Southern Illinois ~ Biography of Samuel Wilson Baird

Biography of
Samuel Wilson Baird

p. 1161

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. P. 1162

     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 carpenters 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.

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