... Samuel Baird, the eldest son of the above family, was born July 14, 1817. The early part of his life was spent upon his father's farm. Owing to the very poor educational facilities in his vicinity in those early times, he was obliged to commence his career in life with but a very limited store of knowledge. His learning, therefore, was necessarily confined to the plain rudimentary branches, and the study of these could only be pursued in the spare time snatched from the more pressing duties of the farm. When twenty-one years of age, with no capital whatever, save a strong constitution and a willing mind, he determined to venture upon his own resources and endeavor to make a living for himself. His first effort was to purchase a small tract of land, all in woods, on one of the tributaries of Twin Creek, and by his own labor the same was developed. From time to time he has added to his original purchase, till he now owns about 200 acres comfortably improved, and some surplus otherwise invested. Through the early part of his life, he was very industrious, hard-working man, and what possessions he now enjoys are the true reward of industry and economy.
Samuel Baird has been thrice married.
His first union was with Emmaline, daughter of Francis and Sarah (Hutchinson) Edwards of Harrison County. This marriage occurred on Oct. 28, 1838. She was born Feb. 17, 1821, and died Sept. 18, 1848.
His second marriage was on June 12, 1849, to Eleanor Edwards, sister to his first wife; she was born on Oct. 12, 1818, and died June 1, 1865.
His third marriage was to Leah Conrad, who was born in 1824, and is a daughter of Benjamin Conrad, a native of Virginia, and one of the early settlers of Harrison County.
Samuel Baird has five living children. By the first wife there are two sons, James T. and Francis E.; by the second wife there are two sons, Samuel P., and Russell B., and one daughter, Sallie Ellis. ...
