Yolo County CA Archives Biographies.....Baird, James David 1849 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com December 13, 2005, 10:58 pm Author: Tom Gregory JAMES DAVID BAIRD The opportunities afforded by Yolo county to men of self-reliant spirit and persevering energy find a striking illustration in the successful activities of James D. Baird, who came here at the age of ten years, the son of a pioneer who gave to his children the heritage represented by rugged constitutions, education and sagacious training. The family is of Anglo-Saxon lineage and its representatives in the new world give evidence of the possession of many of the traits for which that race is famous. In his own history it is apparent that he is a man not easily daunted by discouragements and not readily disheartened by obstacles. Quietly but energetically he worked his way forward until now he ranks among the large land-owners of the county as well as one of its most loyal citizens and progressive farmers. Born on the Isle of Wight, England, January 24, 1849, James D. Baird was a very small child when the family crossed the ocean to the United States. The father, Thomas, who had married Mary Ann Hodgen, followed the trade of a millwright in his native land, and in this country found similar employment. After a brief sojourn at Richmond, Ray county, Mo., the father brought the family to California in 1859, crossing the plains with ox teams, and six months later he settled near Woodland, Yolo county. There he bought a tract of raw land one mile east of Woodland, afterwards adding to it and ultimately developed an improved farm of four hundred acres. Meanwhile he also operated a flour and grist mill at Woodland and thus earned a livelihood for his wife and children at a time when the land was not sufficiently cultivated to be remunerative. Both he and his wife spent their last days in this county. Upon the completion of the studies of the common schools James D. Baird gave his whole time to farm work. After the death of his father he took charge of the home farm for a time, but about 1880 he made a purchase of three hundred and twenty acres near Knight's Landing, forming the nucleus of his present possessions. The land boasted very meager improvements. Little by little he expended time and money upon its building until it became one of the most valuable ranches of the locality. A commodious residence was one of his principal improvements, but in addition he erected three substantial barns as well as other outbuildings. A pumping plant proved to be a valuable addition to the farm equipment. Shade trees were planted that add greatly to the attractiveness of the grounds and there are also some old native oak trees still standing on the place, one of these being an oak that measures six feet in diameter at its base and that has immense branches extending more than one hundred feet in every direction. From time to time Mr. Baird added to his original acquisition of land until he now owns seven hundred and twenty acres in one body, provided with an excellent system of fencing and suited for cultivation in grain. Besides the raising of wheat, which is one of his specialties, he has other crops that produce a neat income each year and he also engages in raising horses and mules of good grades. Like many of the other men now living in Yolo county, he began here without means and by dint of unwearied labor and wise management he has accumulated a valuable property comprising one of the well-kept ranches of the locality. Of recent years he has been less active in work and has enjoyed his ability to relinquish heavy manual labor, turning over to his sons many of the duties once attended to by himself. As he looks back over the long period of his residence in the county he recalls the appearance of Woodland when it was a mere cross-roads hamlet, whose transformation into a thriving town he has witnessed with interest. Within his recollection the country has been developed from a wilderness into a region of thrifty villages and valuable farms, railroads have furnished convenient markets for all produce and have enabled the people to keep in touch with metropolitan enterprises. On January 30, 1876, at Woodland occurred the marriage of James D. Baird and Miss Annie M. Schindler, who was born of Swiss parentage in New Orleans, La. She is the daughter of William and Catherine (Durst) Schindler, natives of New Glarus, Switzerland, who immigrated to the United States and settled in New Orleans, where the father died. Mrs. Baird became a resident of Woodland in March, 1873. She and her husband have reared a family of seven children. The eldest, Edward L., is married and engaged in business in Woodland. The next three sons, James David, Joseph G., and Ernest R., are practical farmers of excellent business ability and carry on the home ranch. The youngest son, William F., holds a position in the First National Bank of Woodland. The daughters are May Irene and Anna Mary. Mr. Baird is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Woodland. Politically he is a stanch Republican. His wife is a member of the Congregational Church. Additional Comments: Extracted from HISTORY OF YOLO COUNTY CALIFORNIA WITH Biographical Sketches OF The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified With Its Growth and Development From the Early Days to the Present HISTORY BY TOM GREGORY AND OTHER WELL KNOWN WRITERS ILLUSTRATED COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA [1913] File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/yolo/bios/baird166nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/cafiles/ File size: 6.0 Kb