John C. Baird
John C. Baird, of firm of Baird Bros., owners planing-mill, sash, door and blind factory, Dayton, was born at Somerset, Penn., April 30, 1819. His parents were Daniel and Annie M. (Kurtz) Baird, natives of the Keystone State. The former was a carpenter and builder and cabinet maker. He was a soldier in the American army during the war of 1812, and died September 15, 1876 aged eighty-three years and four months. He was a man of strong constitution, very vigorous, and up to the time of his death (caused by old age) never suffered a week's sickness. His amiable helpmeet followed him to the "shadowed land" December 16, 1879, aged eighty-one years and nine months. They were the parents of eleven children, eight of whom yet survive. The subject of this sketch was reared amid the rocky hills of Old Pennsylvania, and when sixteen years of age commenced to learn the trade of his father, continuing with him in business for some years. When twenty-five years of age, he came to Dayton, where he worked at his trade for quite a period. In the meantime, his brother, William F., had visited the Valley City, and located there. The two brothers decided to embark in the busy and tempestuous sea of life, and, as both were practically mechanics, decided to establish their present business. They did so, under the firm name of Baird Bros., and have continued the business to the present time. Since coming to Dayton, Mr. Baird was, for three years, engaged in the grocery business. He was married in an early day, and buried a wife and child in October 1843. His second marriage was solemnized in 1847, the second party to the contract being Susan Olive a native of Zanesville, Ohio. They have four children living-Charles H., William F., Florence and Arthur-the eldest son and daughter being married. Mr. Baird and wife are members of the First Lutheran Church, the former having officiated as Deacon for some years. Mr. Baird joined the I.O.O.F., in August, 1845, and since that period has given much of his time to the advancement of the order. He is a member of Wayne Lodge, No. 10, and Dayton Encampment, No. 2. During one State Encampment, at Portsmouth, Ohio, he was appointed and served as Grand Junior Warden. In the home lodge he has devoted some time to committee work, and ably assisted in preparing a forty years history of the lodge for publication. In politics, Mr. Baird is a strong Republican. He served as Councilman from the Fith Ward for two years, and was one of the committee appointed to visit the Eastern cities to examine different systems of fire protection in use in each. He assisted in establishing the Holly system in Dayton, an act of which he justly feels proud.
From History of Montgomery County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., Chicago, 1882