James Hezekiah Baird Obituary
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Cassville Republican Thursday, January 20, 1916 James Hezekiah Baird departed this life at his home near Stotts City, Friday morning, January 14, 1916, at the age of 62 years, 10 months and 8 days. His death was the result of dropsy with which he had been afflicted for more than three years. The funeral was held Saturday at the home 1 1/4 miles southeast to Stotts City, conducted by Rev. J. T. Brattin and the I. O. O. F. Lodge of Stotts city assisted by members of the Cassville Lodge of which Mr. Baird had long been a most devoted member. A large crowd of relatives and friends assembled at the home to pay a final tribute of respect to this beloved and honored father, neighbor, friend and citizen. His body was laid to rest by the side of his mother in the Moore Cemetery near Stotts City. The condition of his body and the bad weather made in impracticable for the burial to be made at the Horner Cemetery southeast of this city where Mrs. Baird was buried. J. H. Baird was born in Smith County, Tennessee, Feb. 22, 1853. When very small his parents moved to Arkansas and wile he was still a small boy the family moved to Lawrence County which was the family home ever after. His father, Captain Josiah Baird, was killed near Mt. Vernon during the Civil War and his body lies buried at Mt Vernon. About the year 1870 J. H. Baird came to Cassville. He was married to Miss Dona Matlock, Dec 13, 1876. To them three children were born, Flossie who died in infancy in 1878, Miss Myrtle and Mrs. Mamie Boren, both of whom were with their father during his last illness. Miss Myrtle has been for several years one of this county's successful teachers. He was converted at the age of 20 and united with the Cassville Baptist Church No. 2, known as the Horner Baptist Church. He remained until death a devoted, consecrated, Christian and Church and Sunday School worker. He had for years been a Deacon in the Baptist Church and had lived up to the high ideals of the true Christian gentlemen. He was a member of Cassville Lodge I. O. O. F. No. 238 and a member whose memory will be ever cherished as one whose life itself was a beautiful representation of teachings of that fraternity. J. H. Baird was a noble example of Christian manhood, of the loyal and faithful church member, of the loving and affectionate father, of the true Odd Fellows and of the last abiding, patriotic citizen. As much as any man whom it has ever been our pleasure to know this man, in his relations with his fellow men, lived the Golden Rule. Of him truly may it be said, "His life was gentle, and the elements So mixed in him that Nature might stand up And say to all the world 'This was a man'." Submitted in 2009 by Donna Cooper State Historical Society of MO Microfilm |