ROBERT BAGGS
Robert Baggs has retired from farming and is enjoying a rest which is the fitting reward of his years of continuous and honorable labor. He was born in Shelby county, Ohio, on the 8th of January, 1836, a son of Robert Baggs, who was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, in 1798. The grandfather of our subject, Stephen Baggs, was a native of the Emerald Isle and was a weaver by trade. After coming to this country he entered the Revolutionary war, but after six months’ service -he was hired to return, receiving his discharge in South Carolina, and he was obliged to convert his overcoat into shoes in order to walk home. He married Polly Love, also a native of Ireland and their marriage was celebrated in Virginia, they becoming the parents of thirteen children, eleven sons and two daughters. He passed away in death in Ohio. Robert Baggs, the father of our subject, removed to Ohio about 1818, and in Miami county, that state, in 1822, he was united in marriage to Marry Botkin, who was born in Kentucky in 1802. This union \vas blessed with seven children: Mary Shafer, who died at the age of seventy years, in Piqua, Ohio; Debora Swallow, who died in Union City, Indiana, leaving six children ; Rachel Ramsey, who died at \Varsaw, Indiana, leaving two children; Margaret Croy, who now makes her ho-me in that city and has three children; Delilah Pike, who died in Montgomery county, Ohio, in early life; Marian Gascow, who died in Auglaize county, Ohio; and Robert, the subject of this review. The father of this family, who was engaged in farming and stock-raising, died in Ohio in 1864, and six years later, in 1870, his wife joined him in the home beyond, passing away at the age of seventy-two years.
Robert Baggs receivedonly the educational advantages afforded by the common schools of his district during his youth. In 1864, when twenty-seven years of age, he enlisted for service in the Civil war. becoming a member of Company E. One Hundred and Forty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry. his military career covering a period of one hundred days, ending the 2d of May. 1864. In Ohio Mr. Baggs owned a small farm of forty-eight acres. but in addition to its cultivation he also farmed another tmct of one huntlred and sixty acres, where he engaged in the rasing of grain and tobacco. in 1883, he left the state of his nativity and came to Kansas, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land near the village of Abbyville, w-here he has ever since made his home, and seven acres of his place is now‘ included within the city limits. Through ‘a long period he was actively connected with the development and improvement of this place and was regarded as one of the leading farmers of his neighborhood, but -he is now living retired from the active duties of life, enjoying the rest wlhich he has so tru.ly earned and richly deserves.
On the 18th of October, 1860, Mr. Baggs was united in marriage to Mary Ann Baker, who was born in Shelby county, Ohio, in 1840, a daughter of Andrew Baker, whose wife was a Miss Wilde. They became the parents of nine children, namely: Marian, who died at the age of eighteen months; john M., who is serving his country as a soldier in the Philippines, while his wife and two children reside in Indiana; George T., who farms the home place; Steward, who was accidentallly killed when fifteen months old; the next in order of birth also died in infancy; Stephen R., at home; and David and Lilly, tw.ins, the former dying at the age of six months while the latter is employed as her father’s housekeeper. The mother of this family passed away in death on. the 18th of October, 1896, after an illness of six months, and her loss was mourned not only by her immediate family but by her many friends, for all who knew her loved and honored her for ‘her many noble characteristics. She was a worthy member of the Baptist church, and in that denomination Mr. Baggs also holds membership. The Democracy receives his active support and co-operation, and both in Ohio and Kansas he has filled a number of township o-ffices. He is known as one of the progressive citizens of his locality, and enjoys the respect and esteem of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
