Anna Elizabeth Baird, often called “Annie,” was born December 24, 1860, in Altoona, Pennsylvania, to John M. and Jane Baird. The Bairds also had a son, Essington Baird. When Annie was nine, the family moved to Topeka, Kansas. She married Charles Curtis on November 27, 1884 (Thanksgiving Day), in Topeka. She was a member of the North Topeka Baptist Church until she and Charles built their home near downtown Topeka; at that time she tranferred her membership to First Baptist Church. She was prominent in her work with women’s civic groups in Topeka including the Topeka Women’s Club, Minerva Club, and Portia & Argonaut literary clubs. She and Charles had three children. She died June 20, 1924, in Washington, D.C., after an illness of several years’ duration. She was buried in Topeka Cemetery.
