Biography of R. A. Baird - Conway Co, AR

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Submitted by: Cathy Barnes <bbarnes@cswnet.com>
        Date: 21 Jun 1998
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
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SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Western Arkansas.
Goodspeed Publishers, 1891.

page 49

R. A. Baird, merchant, of the firm of Massey, White & Co., general merchants of
Morrilton, was born in Dallas County, in 1858; was the second in a family of six
children born to Joseph and Elizabeth (Campbell) Baird, Parents natives of
Tennessee and Arkansas, respectively. Father came to Arkansas with his parents
when a small boy. They settled in Conway County, where they resided some eleven
or twelve years, and then went to Dallas County. Grandparents died, and both
engaged in farming, and married; moved to Nevada County, and settled in Prescott
in 1872, and engaged in the saddle and harness business. Continued in business
there about two years, and then retired to a farm where he still resides. Mother
died in 1865. Subject attended school at Prescott and other places for several
years. In 1878 came to Morrilton, and clerked for Hannaford for one year, and
then for Cohen for one year, and then attended Jones' Commercial College, at St.
Louis, for one term. On his return was appointed Deputy Circuit Clerk under F.
J. Wills, for eighteen months. Then clerked for J. T. Beal for some time, and
then with Hannaford, Beal & Wills for some time. In 1868 engaged in business for
himself in a general store. In 1889 formed a partnership with J. H. McClurg;
style of firm, McClurg & Baird. On January 1, 1890, formed his present business
connection. Was married in October, 1885, to Miss Eva Stevenson, a daughter of
Judge R. W. Stevenson, of Little Rock. She was born in California; father a
prominent lawyer and real estate man. To this union was born one child, Mattie
Elizabeth. Family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and Mr.
Baird is a member of the Knights of Honor.