David Baird

David Baird, marble cutter and tombstone dealer, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, in 1838. He was reared in Des Moines, Iowa, and in 1858 came with his parents to near Kirksville. His education had been received at Des Moines College, at West Point, and he had taught school for a time, but now he began farming, and continued until his enrollment in the militia under Capt. (afterward Maj.) Bell.

After the war he embarked in his present business, in which he has since continued. He handles Vermont and Italian marbles chiefly.

He was married, in 1869, to Anna M. Hoye, a native of Virginia, and to them have been born two children: Delia and John.

Our subject is a Knight Templar, and has filled prominent offices in the F. & A. M. lodge. He and his family are members of the Presbyterian Church.

His paternal grandfather, John, a native of Ireland, took part in the Revolution. His wife, a Scotch lady by the name of Hossick, was united to him in Virginia. His death occurred at Wheeling, Virginia, at the old home place, where his son, John, the father, was born in 1797. The latter was married in Belmont County to Catherine Holtz, and after a residence in Adair County, they died here in January, 1865, and in March, 1869, respectively. The maternal great-grandmother reached the age of one hundred and eleven years, two more years than that attained by the grandmother, and both died in Belmont County, Ohio. Mr. Baird is one of a family of six sons and six daughters.