Robinson Baird
Robinson Baird was born in Pennsylvania, October 6, 1792. He was the son of a farmer. His father had twelve children, of whom our subject was the eldest. His Christian name was his mother's maiden name. He obtained his education partly in Pennsylvania and partly in Ohio. His parents were born in Pennsylvania, but they came to Adams County and occupied rented farms for awhile. As soon as could be done, our subject's father bought a farm five miles from West Union and two miles from Bentonville, where Robinson Baird was reared to manhood. He always felt the want of a more complete education, and for this reason he took a great interest in the public schools. He very frequently served as local school director of his district.
Robinson Baird was a very strict Presbyterian. He was brought up that way and never wandered from it. He believed in the strict observance of the Sabbath and practiced it. He was a soldier of the War of 1812, was out both winters of 1812 and 1813, and endured many hardships. His Colonel was John Bryan. In politics, he was a Whig so long as that party existed. As a Whig, he voted for Jphn Quincy Adams, when he was a candidate for President. There were only two others in his township who voted for Adams. He was a member of the American party when it was in existence, and afterwards of the Republican party.
He was married to Elizabeth Williamson, the third daughter of Rev. William Williamson, on June 13, 1815. She was born in South Carolina, on July 14, 1795. There were born to them ten children, two of whom died in infancy. Their oldest son, James T., was born March 18, 1816. He married Elizabeth Parker, July 1, 1842. He was a millwright by occupation, and was killed in St. Louis while working in a steam mill by the bursting of a boiler. He had two sons who were in the Civil War from 1861 to 1865. Nancy M. was born October 31, 1820. She married James McIntire, April 26, 1842. Major McIntire served in the Seventh Ohio Cavalry during the Civil War. He is now deceased. His widow survives him with a large family of children. Another daughter, Jane W. Baird, was born March 25, 1823, and married A. H. Mehaffey, September 2, 1846. Her daughter, Catherine, born March 20, 1825, was married to Jacob Mosier, May 27, 1846. A son, Thomas W. Baird, was born May 4, 1827. Joshua M. Baird, born October 5, 1829, married Margaret Graham, June 24, 1852. Harriet N. Baird, born November 7, 1833, married John L. Summers, February 28, 1855. Elizabeth V. Baird, born May 7, 1836, married Charles Fitch.
Robinson Baird died March 26, 1870. His wife survived him until August 17, 1876. Mr. Baird never sought public office, but was content to live the simple life of a farmer. He has numerous descendants, scattered over the United States, and from those known, we would say that he impressed upon them the same serious, honest, upright character which he bore all his life.
From History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900