Obituary

William Baird was born in Jay County, Indiana, January 30, 1840. His boyhood days were spent in assisting to hew a farm from the dense forest of his native state. Those early efforts were typical of the active career before him. At the second call for volunteers he sprang to the defense of his endangered flag enlisting in 39th Indiana volunteers, which was later reorganized becoming the 8th Indiana Cavalry. Captured at the battle of Stone River, he spent four months in the loathsome Libby Prison, but upon his release returned to the service in which he continued till the disbandoning of the Union armies.

He was married at Camden, Indiana, July 4, 1866 to Hester Cranmer with whom he dwelt 50 happy years. Six children came to bless their home, all of whom survive their parent except little Lola, an infant of six months who died at Vesper, Kansas, May 29, 1872.

In 1871 William Baird left the east and assumed his allotted place in life by removing to then trackless plains in Kansas, and from that day on, he was known as a pioneer; not only in the subduing and settling a virgin state, but whenever progression called for a leader. With half-wild cattle he turned the stubborn sod of the Kansas prairies, and when the scourge of grasshoppers ravaged the land he removed to California, where for two years he assisted with strong hands and ready mind in the many enterprises of the new Golden State. Returning to Kansas he took up government land from which he wrought a beautiful home for his children and a place welcome to his friends.

A few months ago he removed temporarily to the town of Lincoln, where he had thought to pursue at more leisure, his favorite studies and sciences but God had willed it otherwise, and after only a few days illness he was called away to the bright and everlasting Mansions of the soul. In his last hours he was ministered to by all his children; he knew them all; he courage was sublime. When asked how he fared he bravely answered “All is Well.” Calmly and without pain he breathed his last. His own children closed his eyes in death and remain to mourn their irreparable loss.

William Baird was a pioneer and a home builder. He was ever found in the van, that the more timorous might follow a safer path. He loved to search the word of God, and the starlit heavens were his wonder, and delight. In all the years of his life no enemy arose to assail him, to know him was to love him, and a deeper, greater benediction could not be given than the universal sorrow brought to the community by his demise. As in life, so in death, our dear father has only gone ahead to make our welcome doubly sure.

Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Price of Presbyterian church of Vesper and interment was made in the Vesper cemetery.