My Genealogy Hound

William A. Baird is one of the self made and influential men of Dover, Ark. He was born in Cherokee County, Ala., December 2, 1863, and in 1869 moved with his father to Arkansas, his early education being completed in the high school of Russellville, under the instruction of Prof. J. H. Shinn, now State superintendent of public instruction. His father, William Baird, was a farmer of Cherokee County, Ala., but was born in East Tennessee. William A. was reared on his father’s farm, and at the age of nineteen, having obtained a sufficient education, he began teaching in the common schools, and carried on this calling in connection with farming for two years, when he was elected to the honorable and trustworthy position of county treasurer, a position he filled with marked ability for two years. He was then chosen one of the county examiners of schools, but at the expiration of two years he embarked in the drug business, at Dover, which he has successfully continued up to the present day. Starting on a small capital, he has steadily increased his business, until now his annual sales amount to $6,000, and he has acquired the reputation and title in his town of being a “hustler.” Outside of his business, he is the owner of considerable property, in the north part of the town, besides other property, and, as he has, at all times been strictly honorable and endeavors to please his patrons, his success is fully merited. On January 14, 1886, he was united in the bonds of matrimony to Miss Maggie West, a daughter of D. P. and Katie West, of Dover. To Mr. and Mrs. Baird two children have been born: Porter L. (born October 19, 1886), and George H. (born December 12, 1888). Mr. Baird is a member of the Christian Church, and his wife is connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He is a member of the Union Labor party, and has always shown himself to be public spirited and liberal in the support of worthy enterprises.