Husband William Macfunn Baird 1 2
Born: 4 Aug 1817 - Reading, Berks Co, PA 1
Christened:
Died: 19 Oct 1872 2 3
Buried:
Father: Samuel Baird ( -1833) 1 2
Mother: Lydia Macfunn Biddle (1797-1871) 2
Marriage: 2 Dec 1847 1 2
Wife Harriet Holmes 1 2
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Father: Robert W. Holmes ( - ) 1
Mother:
Children
1 M Robert Holmes Baird 2
Born:
Christened:
Died: 7 Sep 1897 2
Buried:
2 F Mary Leaming Baird 2
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Spouse: Hugh Silas Stuart ( -1899) 2 4
Marr: 17 Jun 1890 2
General Notes: Husband - William Macfunn Baird
His father had a strong taste for the natural sciences, which, by force of example and early training, was imparted to his children. William turned his attention especially to ornithology and mineralogy, and collected many valuable specimens that were later in the Smithsonian Institution at Washington, D. C.
His early education was obtained at the Reading, Pennsylvania, schools. His father died in 1833, after which he spent a year at Nottingham Academy, Maryland. He entered Lafayette College in 1834, and after remaining there for some time, was transferred to Dickinson College, where his mother resided at the time, and where he graduated in 1837, in the twentieth year of his age. He subsequently attended a law school at Carlisle and was admitted to the bar there in 1840, but soon after removed to Gettysburg to practice his profession. In 1841 he was appointed to a clerkship at Washington under his uncle, Hon. Charles B. Penrose, who was solicitor of the treasury during the Harrison and Tyler administration. He held this place until 1844, when he came to Reading and was admitted to the Berks County bar, April 12th of that year, and at once took a prominent position in his profession.
On his entrance into political life he identified himself with the Whig party, and was one of the leading spirits of that organization, and of the Republican party, which succeeded it. In 1855 he was elected mayor of Reading by a majority of seven hundred and four, one of the largest majorities ever given to any candidate previously for that office. His administration of the city government was noted for its efficiency; but after a year's experience of its annoyances he refused to stand as a candidate for re-election. In 1862 he was chosen treasurer of the old Reading Water Company and held that responsible office until the city purchased and took charge of the works. At the outbreak of the Civil War, in 1861, and during its continuance, he was earnest in support of the Union and the administration of President Lincoln, forming one of the coterie of stanch Republicans and Union Democrats in his native county of Berks who stood by the government in its desperate struggle for supremacy. Though his health prevented him from entering the army, he did all he could by voice and pen to strengthen and uphold the government and flag of his country and was a wise and influential counselor during the war. So prominent and valuable were his services in this direction that after the war was over, and by General Grant as President, he was complimented by the important and responsible appointment to the collectorship of internal revenue in the Eighth or Berks District of Pennsylvania, in which office he served with marked ability and the fidelity and integrity consistent with his high personal character, until his death.
Collector Baird inherited from his ancestors the Presbyterian faith, and was through life a faithful and consistent member of the Calvinistic Church, having filled the positions of the eldership and superintendent of the Sabbath school of the First Church of that denomination in Reading for many years. He was of a tall and commanding presence, possessed of a fine and well-cultured mind, a Christian without bigotry, charitable without ostentation, a wise counselor, a genial companion, a good citizen and patriot and a true friend.