OBIT: James R. BAIRD, 1943, Meyersdale, Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

Copyright 2008.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/somerset/
________________________________________________

JAMES R. BAIRD

  James R. Baird was born in Uniontown, Pa., Apr. 4, 1896, and died in the 
Veterans' Hospital, Aspinwall, Wednesday, May 5, 1943, after an illness of six 
weeks.  Having been a salesman for the J. M. Cook & Son Candy Company for the 
past 15 years he was well known throughout Somerset County, as well as in 
Meyersdale, where he resided and had a large circle of friends who esteemed him 
very highly.
  He first came to Meyersdale in 1923 and was connected with his brother-in-law, 
W. E. Jobes, in the Standard Motor Co. which occupied the building later 
converted into a theatre (now the Roxy) by Mr. Jobes.  "Jimmy" Baird was a very 
good pianist and he played for the new movie house and later for Nat Friedline's 
orchestra in Uniontown before coming to Meyersdale.  In 1924 he married Miss 
Grace Hoover, who was then clerk in H. M. Cook's Jewelry Store.  In 1926 the 
young couple became the proprietors of Hi-Point Service Station on the National 
Highway a few miles west of Grantsville, which they successfully conducted for 
several years.  In 1928 Mr. Baird began working for the J. M. Cook & Son Co., 
and shortly afterwards, he and his wife returned to Meyersdale to live.
  He was an active member of the Salisbury American Legion Post while at Hi-
Point and later of the Charles E. Kelly Post of Meyersdale, and at one time was 
Chef de Guerre of the "40 and 8" of Somerset County.
  James Baird served with the A.E.F. in France from Dec. 25, 1917, to April 6, 
1919.  He was in several of the big battles and was gassed in the Meuse-Argonne 
Forrest on Oct. 21, 1918.  He served with a New England division.
  His funeral was conducted at his home on North Street, Saturday afternoon, by  
Rev. John B. Warman, pastor of the Methodist Church.  There were many lovely 
floral tributes and a beautiful American Flag was draped over his bier.  
Interment was made in the Union Cemetery under the direction of W. C. Price and 
Son.  Pall-bearers were Harry Hostetler, James Hostetler, Dan Critchfield, 
Oliver Getty and Harry Rosenberger, Meyersdale, and C. F. Beckner of Newville, 
Pa.
  Among those attending the funeral from out of town were Mr. and Mrs. W. E. 
Jobes and son, J. W. Jobes, and wife, and Mr. Baird's mother, Mrs. Margaret 
Baird, all of Bethesda, Md.; Mrs. Worth Blunt, Elizabeth City, N.C., and Nelle 
and Eva Hoover of Pittsburgh.

Meyersdale Republican, May 13, 1943
----

JAMES R. BAIRD

  James R. Baird, World War I veteran, died in the Veteran's Hospital, 
Aspinwall, Wednesday evening.  He had been a patient in the hospital about five 
weeks.  He is survived by his wife, Grace Hoover Baird; his mother, Mrs. James 
Baird, Sr., and one sister, Mrs. Wm. E. Jobes, of Bethesda, Md.  Funeral 
services will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock at his home on North 
Street, with interment in Union Cemetery under the direction of W. C. Price, 
mortician.

Meyersdale Republican, May 6, 1943