1901 Bio - Baxter, David J., Larimer County, Colorado Transcribed by Marta Norton January 30, 2000 The Berthoud Bulletin Newspaper Saturday, September 7, 1901 (The following is a small portion of a big news article about Berthoud. I am only transcribing the bio part). In the following columns we are pleased to give the pictures and personal sketches of a number of the people who assisted in making this beautiful and prosperous county what it is: Davis J. Baxter One of the best citizens in the vicinity of Berthoud, and a successful farmer is Davis J. Baxter. He has been in the state since 1874, and was on his present farm when there was little settlement along the Little Thompson River. Mr. Baxter was born in Van Wert County, Ohio, February 7, 1847. His grandfather served in the War of 1812, and was an officer in the Army. D.J. was raised in Ohio. At the age of sixteen (1863) he enlisted in the Army, and served in the First Ohio Heavy Artillery; then served till close of the war in Second Ohio, Company C. At the close of the war he returned home, and was married in February 1874. That year he came to Colorado and settled at Niwot. Shortly afterwards he filed on his homestead- his present farm on the Little Thompson River. Mr. Baxter is of a reticent disposition, and had much rather tell of other good deeds than of his own, which are many no doubt, and to him we are indebted for some other information. There was a little old log school house at Old Berthoud in the early days, and the scenes and incidents connected with it are dear to him, it was there the settlers would gather to worship god, to hold Sunday school, lyceum, and not infrequently a spelling match between old folk. It might be mentioned that Uncle Peter Turner was anxious to spell them all down, and when the last person was done he would be on his feet with, "Let's try that over again." On one Sunday about four people gathered at the school house for preaching. The snow lay deeply on the ground and it was cold. Three tramps had taken shelter in the building, and during service they swelled the congregation. When preaching was over they were left to enjoy the fire until they got ready to resume their journey. "Father Cross" was the postmaster and prominent figure at Old Berthoud. Mr. Baxter says he has always felt sorry for one of Mr. Cross grandchildren, Ada Cross, now Mrs. Harry Preston. She and her sister Bessie, who died about two years ago were left motherless when quite small. They went to live with their grandmother and she suddenly dropped dead while sweeping the floor. Ada then went to live with Mr. and Mrs. Will Cross. They both died of pneumonia, and this time she made her home with Mrs. George Wilson until she was married. The first person buried in the Berthoud Cemetery was Ida Cross, wife of C.J. Cross. When she died a committee was appointed to select and stake out land for a cemetery. On this committee was Major Kerr, Lewis Cross and Mr. Baxter. On January 20, 1884, the site for the cemetery was selected and on the 21st the first burial was made. =================================================== Contributed for use by the USGenWeb Archive Project (http://www.usgenweb.org) and by the COGenWeb Archive Project USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access.