BIO: Robert Alexander LAIRD, Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************** __________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers. Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, pages 194-195. __________________________________________________________________ JUDGE ROBERT ALEXANDER LAIRD, Alexandria, Huntingdon county, Pa., son of William Laird, was born on the homestead in Porter township, where he still resides, March 28, 1826. Jacob Laird, his grandfather, was among the pioneer settlers of that township, and the farm has descended in the family since his time. Judge Laird's maternal grandfather, John Alexander, was also among the early settlers, having come from Ireland with his wife, Martha (Osborn) Laird. They settled in Porter township, where he was engaged in tilling the soil. Here he passed his life, died, and is interred in the cemetery at Alexandria. The Lairds are of Scotch-Irish stock. William Laird, son of Jacob, was born on the homestead, March 14, 1779. His father dying during William's early youth, the boy was brought up by his maternal uncle, Samuel Isop, and educated in the common schools of Porter township. The Isop family resided on the Laird place, to which William Laird fell heir at his uncle's death, on condition that he would provide for his aunt, Mrs. Isop, so long as she should live. This he did to the best of his ability, and continued throughout his life to reside on the homestead. He was married to Miss Alexander in Porter township. Their children are: Robert Alexander; Margaret, deceased; Osborn, was a furniture dealer and undertaker at Spruce Creek, where he died; John Stewart, farmer, died at Fostoria, Blair county, Pa.; Mary C. (Mrs. Edward Warren), Shreveport, La.; Sarah A., widow of William Moore, Altoona, Pa.; Milton, of Parkersburg, W. Va., was a member of Company I, Fifth Pennsylvania Reserves; and Calvin, for many years a school teacher, afterwards a teacher of music and music-dealer in Tyrone, Pa., where he died in 1871. Mrs. William Laird died on the homestead in 1847, aged forty-seven years, and her husband in 1852, at the age of seventy- three. Robert A. Laird attended the public schools during the winter months, cultivating the home farm during the summer, and continued to do so until he was eighteen or nineteen years of age. His whole life has been spent on the homestead, which he has most carefully cultivated and improved. He purchased the place from the heirs of his father; it then contained 90 acres, to which Judge Laird has since added 180 acres, besides erecting farm buildings, planting orchards, etc. His public services have been many and varied. He has served his township as judge and inspector of elections; has been supervisor, school director, assessor, auditor and township clerk, and has held these offices for many years. From 1858 to 1871, he was tax collector, the office being then held by appointment. He has also served as U. S. gauger and storekeeper, principally at Huntingdon, Pa. In November, 1895, he was elected to the office of associate judge for five years. Judge Laird's political opinions are strongly Republican. Robert Alexander Laird was married in Porter township, December 23, 1852, to Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac Martin, deceased, of that township. Their children are: William M., was in mercantile business in Petersburg, married Clara Hinds, died in February, 1894; Calvin, married to Jennie Stauffer, of McConnellstown, Pa.; Mary E.; Emma, teacher; Howard, educated at Juniata College, school teacher, married Clara, daughter of Samuel Smith; Alfred, at Homestead; Edward W., traveling salesman for Harrisburg Produce and Provision Co., married Ella Giles, of Petersburg; and Alice Bertha, at home.