The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-06-08
DEATH CLAlMS'
A NOBLE MAN.
Charles Baird SucCumbS 10 Heart Dis.
ease Early This Morning.
HAD BEEN In BED 80 HOURS
Pneumonia Followed a Cold From
Which He Had Suffered For
Three Weeks. Well Liked j..
and Prominent.
SKETCH OF ACTIVE LIFE.

Charles Baird died at his home 900 Tat
nal st., this morning and the termination
of the life of so prominent character in
the business, social and religious world, has
cast gloom over the community which
has seldom had an equal. Perhaps such
would not be the case had Mr.. Baird's
death been expected surely 1t would not
had been confined to his home for any
length Of time. but retiring from the dut-'
les Of life only on Monday and being cold
In death thirty hours later has caus-
ed shock to a family which Ia inde-
scribable, and to community which has
had few comparisons.
Perhaps the greatest public grief Is that
expressed by the members of West Pres
,byterian Church and Sunday school. On
Sunday MIR. Baird attended church and
parlook Of the sacrament Sunday after
noon he presided over the Sunday school
exercises, and in the evening CohduC' cd
the communicate prayer meeting. He
complained Of q cold. but did not appear
to be seriously Ill. Monday morning he
went about his business duties as usual
but In the afternoon WAS compelled to go
to his home.
Evening found no Improvement In his
condition, consequ ently he was compelled
to absent himself from the meeting Of the
Teachers Committee Of the Board Of Edu-
cation. He retired that evening. and never
left his bed.
Yesterday physicians informed the fami.
" that the cold had produced pneumonia.
but no fatal consequences was anticipated
until midnight, when the patient was
stricken with heart disease which caused
death three hours later
This morning the home was visited by
many friends. DIR. A. N, Keigwia OF West
Church who had been with Mr. Baird dur.
ing his Illness was again present AID con-
soled The bereaved family as best he could.
Other prominent men In the business and
religious world also called and expressed
their heartfelt sympathy.
The funeral will take place Friday after.
noon. Jordan A. Wilson will have charge.
The body will be on Wow at the house then
removed to West Church where the service
will be conducted. Interment will proba.
bly, DO made at Wilmington aud Brandy
wine cemetery.
The members of tho Board of Education
and delegation of school teachers will
attend.
The School Board will adopt resolutions
at a special meeting as also will the church
and Sunday school with which MIR. Baird
was connected. Other Presby terrain
Churches and Schools will doubtless fol-
low the example.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
Mr.. Baird was born In this city in 1888
His early education was in the common
schools, and his finishing touches at the
Turner Academy.
He then served an apprenticeship as ma
chinist In 1857 he became bookkecper for
firm OF Eadden a. Pete son, remaining
with them until 1861 the when he engaged
in a similar capacity with Bush, Clark 81
Co., morocco manufacturers. Here Mr..
Baird remained until 1865 Having thor
oughly mastered the morocco business, to.
gcIher with Messrs. Maltritz ana Taylor,
founded tho firm Of Maitritz, Baird and
Taylor. morocco manufacturers.
This firm continued until May, 1872, at
which time Mr.. Baird Withdrew entering
in partornship<i tho same line of businc 8
with Colonel Fl 5. McCoM.71- the latter @.
cupying tho position OF special partner.
Messrs. Baird aud McConb remained to.
gether until the lat; ors death in 1881 SINGS
which time Mr.. Baird had continued the
management of the business individually.
Under his conservative direction, the firm
OF Charles Baird and company has attain
cd considerable measure Of success.
AS a cltizan Of Wilmington. Mr.. Baird
had always evinced deep interest in the
citys ellurc, being among tho first in any
movement for he public good. He never
failed to lend his assistance in tho forma-
ton of new enterprises in Wilmington in
many cases giving both personal and fl.
nancial mid. Officially no was elected in
1871, member Of the Board of Education
and in 1881 he was elected president of the
body, o position he filed at the time of
his death. In general finances, he was
director Of the Central National Bank, o
position to which he was elected In 1886
In politics he was strong Republican
but despite the desire Of his friends had
refused nomination to any office In re-
liglon, Mr.. Baird, like all his ancestors,
e5poused the Presbyterian faith, having
joined that denomination ut IN early age.
lIo at first associated himself with Ham
over Church. Later, when Contra! Church
was conceived Mr., Baird was one Of Its Or
ganizers He continued with this insti.
tuition until 1868, when he became inter-
osted as one of the founders Of West
Church, In which he held life eldership.
When the Sabbath school of this institu.
ton was organized in 1873, he was chosen
superintendent and oificiated in that ca
pacty until his death
He had been instrumental In the form
ing not only of new churches but of mis-
sions which havo done lasting coed When
the Young Mems Christian Association
was organized in 1887, Mr. Baird was elect.
cd president. officiating until 1893
At tho time of his death he was direc.
tor. His devotion during the past WHY
years to church ami mission WORK will
rebound to his credit in long years to
come In 1860 Mr.. Baird was united in
marriage with Miss Mary NJ. Seeley, a
granddaughter Of Ex-Governor Sseley of
New Jersey. TIL, widow, two children,
Robert Seelsy, and Miss Grace. survive.