George Baird, of Austin, is one of the pioneers of 1856, who by sheer persistency and Yankee grit has overcome the hardships of early times and now enjoys the comforts of a pleasant home and a good income. He was born July 28, 1833, in New Hampshire, of Scotch ancestry, and is a direct descendant of Andrew Baird, who came over in the second voyage of the Mayflower. His father was a piano maker and tuner and the boy early went to work in his father's shop.

At fifteen he was bound out to work in a cabinet shop until he was twenty-one. Ere that time he bought his time and went to work in a carriage shop. In 1854 he, with John Wright, went to Chicago, and became engaged in carriage building, turning out the first light buggy made in the city. June 18, 1855, was his wedding day, Miss Charlotte Brown being the bride. Soon they came to Racine, Wis., and the next spring Mr. Baird came to Mower county to look for land. He pre-empted a quarter section in Lansing and built a log house. Ten dollars was spent of his worldly possessions. Mrs. Baird came in December. He camped in a sheet tent on the Cedar with the mercury thirty degrees below. He split rails to earn a few groceries for his family.

After awhile he sold his claim and did carpenter work. In 1861 he moved his family to Austin and his present home was begun. War interrupted the building, for he enlisted in October, 1861, in the 45h Minnesota Infantry. His war record was as honorable as it was brave, and when discharged held the rank of Lieutenant. On his return to Austin he was appointed post-master, but soon resigned. He was sheriff of the county for two years and has held a position as postal clerk until last April, when he became our efficient post-master. He still owns 240 acres two miles south-east of Brownsdale.

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Submitted to MnGenWeb by Darrel K. Waters