Samuel BAIRD, proprietor of Willow Ridge Farm, resided on section 12, Clinton Township, and is one of the prominent and worthy pioneers of Ringgold County, having been a resident here over thirty-one years. He is the eldest of six children of John and Martha (MOORE) BAIRD, and his youth was spent in assisting on the farm and attending the common schools of that day, in log school-houses. He was married November 5, 1848, to Miss Millie E[lizabeth] PARKS, born in Monroe County, Indiana, and daughter of B. F. and Mary R. PARKS, natives of North Carolina. He resided in Putnam county until 1850, when, with wife and one child, he started for Iowa, and was twenty-three days making the journey. They first located in Lucas County, where they resided ten months; then removed to Eden Township, Decatur County, where he improved a small farm. He sold this farm in the fall of 1854, and entered land from the Government, which is a portion of his present farm. In March, 1855, he moved upon his new farm and has occupied it ever since. His first house was a log cabin, 16 x 16, with clapboard roof and puncheon floor, and furniture to correspond. He has improved his place from time to time, until it is now in a most excellent condition.

Coming as he did in an early day when the country was in its primitive state [1854], he endured all the hardships and trials of the pioneer, frequently having to go fifty or even 100 miles to mill and to purchase groceries. His log cabin is repleaced by a good story-and-a-half house, modern style, and well furnished; the rude shed has been removed, and in its place stands a large and commodious barn, 40 x 60; and where the wild plum and crab flourished is now a fine orchard of bearing trees, a vineyard and small fruits.

Mr. BAIRD is making a specialty of short-horn cattle, and in his herd can be found some of the best registered animals in Southern Iowa.

He has served creditably in nearly all the township offices, and in politics is a Republican.

Mr. and Mrs. BAIRD are the parents of ten [living] children - Mary Jane, James Monroe, Martha M., Sarah Elizabeth, Louisa Kate, Samuel P., Laura Belle, Nina May, Absalom B., and Willie Boss. John Wesley, the second child was born January 7, 1852, and died in September, 1869.

Mr. BAIRD has always taken an active interest in educational and religious matters, and contributes liberally to any worthy enterprise. Postoffice, Redding.

NOTE: Samuel's father John BAIRD was born in 1789, and died at the age of 82 years on June 5, 1871 with interment at Fairview Cemetery.

Samuel M. BAIRD was born in 1825, and died May 7, 1896. During the Civil War he served as a Private with Company C of the Southern Iowa Border Brigade. Millie Elizabeth (PARKS) BAIRD was born July 20, 1832, Monroe County, Indiana, and died January 24, 1894. Samuel and Millie were interred at Fairview Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa. Samuel and Millie were the parents of eleven children:

1) Mary Jane BAIRD
    born 12 Oct 1848, Putnam Co. IN; died 01 Mar 1926, Mount Ayr, IA
    married 11 Apr 1867 John Marshall POOR (1836-1908), a Civil War Veteran
2) John Wesley BAIRD
    born 02 Jan 1852, Lucas Co. IA; died 11 Sep 1869, Ringgold Co. IA
    Interment Fairview Cemetery, Ringgold Co. IA
3) James Monroe BAIRD
    born 12 Feb 1854, Lucas Co. IA; died 06 Dec 1950, interment Redding Cemetery Ringgold Co. Iowa
4) Martha A. Moore BAIRD
    born 06 Dec 1856, Redding IA; died 03 Jul 1952, Farmington, Wayne Co. MI
    married John Wesley BEAMAN (1853-1943)
    Martha and John's family are included on The RAINS Family page.
5) Sarah Elizabeth BAIRD
    born circa 1858, Redding IA
6) Samuel P. BAIRD
    born 1863; died 1937, interment at Redding Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa
    married 20 Dec 1885 Julia Ella McMASTERS (1864-1927)
7) Laura Belle BAIRD
    born 19 Dec 1865, Ringgold Co. IA; died 12 Jan 1944, Brush, Morgan Co. CO
    married Myers JUDY 27 Feb 1889, Ringgold Co. IA
            born 24 Jun 1865, Mormontown IA; died Nov 1958, Blockton IA
            son of Robert JUDY (1827-1914) & Sarah Ann (SARGENT) JUDY (1832-1893)
    Children:
      1) Perle JUDY, born 13 Jun 1891, Blockton IA
      2) Myers Lynn JUDY, born 01 Jun 1894, Blockton IA
      3) J. Robert JUDY, born 29 Jun 1896, Blockton IA
      4) Cecil JUDY, born Blockton IA
      5) Child JUDY, born 1903
8) Louisa Kate BAIRD
    born circa 1867, Redding IA
9) Nina May BAIRD
    born circa 1868, Redding IA; died 20 Sep 1961, Mount Ayr IA
    married 18 Mar 1891 Oren Clement HULL (1856-1960)
    Nina and Oren's family are on their family page
10) Absalom B. BAIRD
    born circa 1869, Redding IA
11) Willie Boss BAIRD
    born circa 1871, Redding IA

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, p. 277, 1887.

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2009

Biographical Sketches Pages Index: A - F,   G - L,   M - R,  S - Z