My Genealogy Hound

C. H. Baird, postmaster at Holly, Michigan, and also secretary and manager of the Citizens’ Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Michigan, which has headquarters at Holly, was born at Holly, Oakland County, in 1865. He is a son of John M. and Euphrasia (Humphrey) Baird, both of whom were born in New York.

John M. Baird came from the vicinity of Rochester, New York, to Holly, Michigan, in 1857. He erected a large brick block and other buildings and at one time owned a large part of the village, which he had platted. His business was mainly in the line of insurance, real estate and banking, but he was a man of so much business ability that success awaited him on every side. In 1870 he organized the Monitor Fire Insurance Company of Oakland County, making Holly the home office, and, it was managed from there for a number of years, but is now conducted from Pontiac, W. E. Carpenter of that city being its secretary. It has met with great prosperity, carrying now about $9,000,000 of risks in force. It operates exclusively in Oakland County. In April, 1874, John M. Baird organized the Citizens’ Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Michigan and was its active manager up to the time of his death in 1895, at the age of 68 years. The charter of this company was secured for 30 years, extending until 1904. This enterprise has increased steadily and rapidly until it is now regarded as the most successful and the strongest of any company operating throughout the State. It has agents in various towns, and it has now about $4,800,000 insurance in force, its business being confined to city and village property. Since its organization it has paid about $400,000 in losses. Our subject was associated with his father for some eight years before the latter’s death and succeeded him as secretary and manager. The other officers are: Hon. Thomas L. Patterson, of Holly, president; H. A. Wycoff, of Pontiac, vice-president. The following are the directors: George E. Newall, postmaster at Flint; H. W. Parker, of Owosso; P. T. Butler, of Orion; Lewis Grant, of Bancroft; A. D. Rundlet, of Clio; H. A. Wyckoff, of Pontiac; E. Patterson, of Holly; and C. H. Baird, our subject.

John M. Baird was a stanch Republican and proved himself a loyal and self sacrificing citizen. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he entered the 1st Reg., Michigan Vol. Cav., and in 1862 by personal effort raised Company K, 8th Reg., Michigan Vol. Cav., and served as regimental quartermaster for four years, receiving at the end of his service the brevet of captain. For a short period after the war he was postmaster at Holly, was a member of the School Board, and served at the time of the building of the present commodious school house.

John M. Baird was married to Euphrasia Humphrey, who accompanied him to Oakland County from her home in Livingston County, New York, in 1858, and died at Holly in 1901, at the age of 70 years. Our subject has one brother and one sister, namely: John E., of Lincoln, Nebraska, who is an engineer, on the Burlington Railroad; and Anna Belle, who married Rev. H. A. Leeson, a Methodist clergyman, who is stationed at Caro, Michigan, — formerly he was at Laurium, where he is still recalled for his earnest efforts by which he set in motion the movement which has resulted in the building there of a $20,000 church.

C. H. Baird was reared at Holly, attended the Holly schools and then took a business course at Detroit. He has been interested in the insurance business the greater part of his life, and has also served in various village positions, being clerk of the village for five years. In 1899 he was appointed postmaster of Holly by the late President McKinley, and has served ever since, giving excellent satisfaction. He has been very active in the procuring of mail facilities for his section and much is due his efforts for the present four free rural mail delivery routes now going out from Holly, which have been in operation for two years.

Mr. Baird was married to Delphine Voorheis, of White Lake township, Oakland County, who was the preceptress of the Holly schools for five years. She is a refined, educated lady, a graduate of the Ypsilanti State Normal School and a member of one of the old and prominent families of Oakland County. She is an active church worker and is president of the Flint District Woman’s Home Missionary Society. One daughter and one son were born to Mr. and Mrs. Baird, the latter of whom died in infancy, the former, Lucy Josephine, still surviving. The beautiful family home is located on Maple street, and Mr. Baird also built and owns the substantial Post Office block and other property in the village.

Mr. Baird’s fraternal associations include the Masonic blue lodge at Holly; the chapter and commandery at Fenton; Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Detroit, and both he and his wife belong to the Order of the Eastern Star. He also belongs to the various branches of the order of Odd Fellows, including the Encampment, and also to the Modern Woodmen of America, Loyal Guards, Independent Order of Foresters and K. O. T. M. He is one of the prominent members and liberal supporters of the Methodist Church and has served as one of the trustees.