From "History of Wheeling City and Ohio County, West Virginia and 
Representative Citizens," by Hon. Gibson Lamb Cranmer, 1902. 

Typed by Carol Taylor Lanza.

Pages 707-708

JAMES BAIRD, after many years of activity in the business world, is now
living a retired life at Elm Grove, Ohio county, West Virginia. He was
successfully engaged in the meat business in the city of Wheeling for
thirty-one years, and during that time laid by a handsome competency,
which will enable him to spend the remainder of his life in the quiet
and peace of retirement. He was born in Ohio county, West Virginia, on
a farm near Elm Grove and is a son of James Baird.

James Baird, Sr., was born in Ohio county, and died at the early age of
thirty years. His father, Thomas, was a farmer by occupation, and died
at an advanced age. James Baird, Sr., was united in marriage with Eliza
Garrison, who died at the age of sixty-four years.

James Baird, the subject of this sketch, received but a limited schooling,
and at an early age left the farm to earn his now living. He developed
studious habits and early began to save his earnings while on the farm.
He accumulated sufficient money by the time he became of age to start a
meat business in Wheeling, which he carried on successfully for thirty-
one years. After this long and successful career, he sold out his business
with the intention of retiring from active life, and moved to Elm Grove,
where he purchased a residence. He has also purchased other property in
the town which he rents. In 1899, he was elected to the town council, and
placed on the committees of finance and streets and alleys. He was re-elected
in 1900, and is serving on the committee on finance. He was also nominated,
on the Democratic ticket for legislature, but went down to defeat with the
remainder of the ticket. He has been very active in politics for a number of
years, and has always been and enthusiastic supporter of the Democratic
party. Several years ago, he purchased a farm of 150 acres, which proved to
have underlying veins of coal. He has since sold the rights to the coal but
retains the farming rights to all but 60 acres of it. He has served two years
as county commissioner. 

Mr. Baird was married December 25, 1870, to Annie Kimmins, a daughter of
Thomas and Jane (Stuart) Kimmins. Her father, who was born in Pennsylvania,
was a tanner by trade, and died at the early age of thirty years. Her mother
is still living at the advanced age of eighty-three years. Mr. And Mrs. Baird
are the parents of four children: Hallie, born January 19, 1871; Carrie, who
was born February 29, 1872 and died in November, 1900: Edwin, born June 29,
1874; and Annie May, who was born in October, 1876, and died in April, 1898.
The family attends the Stone Presbyterian church of Elm Grove, of which Mr.
and Mrs. Baird have been active members for more than thirty years. He was
elected to represent the church in the general assembly at Philadelphia, in
May, 1901. Fraternally he is a member of Mystic Lodge, No., 24, K. of P., of
which he has been an active member for a quarter of a century, having served
in all of its chairs. He has represented this order in the general assembly
upon two different occasions. He joined Triadelphia Lodge, No. 65, I.O.O.F.,
in 1896.