ALEXANDER B. BAIRD

ALEXANDER B. BAIRD was born February 12, 1821, in Ohio County, Ky., a son of James and Rebecca (Barnett) Baird. James Baird, subject's father, was a native of County Derry, Ireland, and when a year old, in 1782, came to America with his parents, who first settled in Chambersburgh, Penn., and lived there seven years; they then moved to Bairdstown, now known as Bardstown, Ky.; this town was first settled by and named in honor of two of subject's grandfather's uncles, who were immigrants from Ireland, and settled the place, after serving through the Revolutionary war in behalf of the colonies. Subject's grandparents moved to Hartford in 1792, where they spent the remainder of their lives. James Baird, subject's father, when twenty-one years old, was appointed sheriff over a large area, now comprising several counties, and was one of the first magistrates of the county, a position he held many years. He was a commissioner in building court-house and jail, and was identified with all public enterprises. He died January 18, 1868; his wife died in September, 1859. They were Cumberland Presbyterians, and reared six children, the eldest and youngest alone survive: Rachael, now Mrs. Thomas Barrett, eighty years old, living in this county, and Alexander B. The latter was reared and given the rudiments of an education in Hartford and vicinity. At twenty-two years of age he was appointed deputy sheriff, and in the years 1844, 1845 and 1846, flat-boated to New Orleans during winters and farmed during summers. In connection with farming for three years, in 1847 he was assessor, and in 1851 was elected one of the first magistrates under the new constitution, but resigned before the expiration of his term, and was elected county judge in 1854, holding the office two terms of four years each. In 1861 he engaged in the tobacco business as agent for a New York firm, continuing until 1870, when he developed a coal mine on the then new Chesapeake, Ohio & Southwestern Railroad. Since 1883 he has been engaged in civil engineering and insurance business; he now holds the position of school trustee. December 24, 1844, he married Miss Sallie M. Barnett; their children are Laura, now Mrs. G. F. Purcell, of Denver, Col.; Clinton T., secretary of the Underwriters' Insurance Company, Louisville, Ky.; Naomi, now Mrs. Samuel E. Hill; Prudie, wife of Dr. V. W. Taylor, Lietchfield, Ky.; Dr. A. B. Baird, Jr., of Hartford; Lillie and Ada at home. Mr. and Mrs. Baird are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in which he is an elder. He has represented the church at the General Assembly at McKeesport, Penn. He is a Royal Arch Mason.

Source: J. H. BATTLE, W H. PERRIN, & G. C. KNIFFIN 1885