MRS. CLARA W. BAIRD, the widow of Andrew Todd Baird, is a daughter of Hugh W. Wilson, of Washington county, who settled in South Strabane township, on a farm his grandfather had purchased. The ancestry of this family in Washington county came to America at an early day, and six generations have lived on the old home place established in Washington borough, the representative of the fifth generation still living there. James Wilson came from Bedford county, Penn., in 1781, and puchased lot No. 291, where Smith's store now stands. He died in 1792 in the house he had built on the corner of Main and Beau streets. At his death his wife (name unknown) inherited by will the use of 200 acres of land adjoining the town until James, the youngest son, should be of age, when the farm was to be equally divided between James, Thomas and John. Hugh, the eldest son, had been provided for by certain property set off to him previously, a portion of which was the lot on Main street, near Maiden; and in addition to this property he purchased, in 1786, the lot on which Morgan's store now stands. This Hugh Wilson was the grandfather of Mrs. Clara Baird. He was thrice married; his first wife was Rachel Leet, born May 31, 1769, daughter of Isaac Leet, and sister of Maj. Daniel Leet, and by her he had children as follows: Rebecca, Margaret, Rachel and Hugh W. The mother of these children dying in 1788, Hugh Wilson married Margaret (Hamilton) Fleming, a widow with one daughter, Catherine, who afterward became the wife of John D. McFadden, jeweler, of Pittsburgh. By this wife Hugh Wilson had one daughter, Eliza, married to Rev. Thomas Swaim, of Philadelphia, who was pastor of the Baptist Church at Washington, Penn., from 1846 to 1850. After the death of his second wife Hugh Wilson married a Miss Spencer, an English lady, who survived him many years. Hugh W. Wilson, the only son of Hugh and Rachel (Leet) Wilson, was born in Washington, Penn., February 22, 1812. On April 25, 1837, he was married to Frances Emma, daughter of Thomas and Frances Anica (Preble) Barlow, of Allegheny, and their children were: Edward Preble, born April 25, 1838, now living in Cincinnati, Ohio; James Blaine, born November 25, 1839, now living in Washington, Penn.; Clara, the subject proper of this sketch; and Frances Emma, who died in infancy. The mother died February 12, 1845, at the age of twenty-seven years, and Mr. Wilson married, September 9, 1847, Sarah Neville, niece of General Neville, and by her he had two children: Neville Craig, born October 30, 1850, died January 1, 1887, and Rebecca Blaine, born September 12, 1853, died February 16, 1877. The mother of these children departed this life September 30, 1856, aged thirty-six years, and the father on May 13, 1862, at the age of forty-nine years. By occupation he was a farmer, and during the later years of his life he followed fruit growing, also kept a greenhouse. His death was sudden, caused by over exertion in rapid walking, which produced internal rupture. For thirty years he was a deacon in the Baptist Church. On June 8, 1865, Clara Wilson was united in marriage with Andrew Todd Baird, by whom she had seven children, viz.: Frances Emma, Jane Cunningham, Anica Chambers, George (deceased at the age of five months), Andrew Todd (deceased when aged ten and one-half years), Hugh Wilson and Susan, the survivors all living with the mother on Maiden street, Washington. Andrew Todd Baird was born in 1831, at the home of his grandparents in Washington, Penn., but was taken to Ripley, Ohio, where he remained until 1836, thence moved to Wheeling, W. Va., in which city he lived till 1844, there receiving a part of his education. At the age of seventeen (1848) Mr. Baird graduated at Washington and Jefferson College, where he took a classical course. For a time he studied law with his uncle, but for some reason abandoned it. He learned telegraphy, and in 1851 had charge of the telegraph office at Washington, but resigned to entered his father's store. In 1860 he became a partner with his father, and on the latter's death succeeded to the business. For twenty years (1868 to 1887) he was treasurer of Washington and Jefferson College; was treasurer of the First Presbyterian Church sixteen years (1869 to 1885) and at the time of his death the church was out of debt; for thirty years he was librarian of the Sunday-school. Mr. Baird had joined the church in 1856, and lived the life of a true Christian. He was a most conscientious man and gave liberally of his means to all deserving charities and beneficent institutions, and on June 6, 1856, he commenced to devote one-tenth of his income foe that purpose. He was a staunch Republican, at all times standing firmly and conscientiously by his political opinions. After marriage he and his wife took up their residence on Beau street, in the borough of Washington, remaining there until 1871, moving twice before 1875, when they took possession of the present home of the family. Here Mr. Baird died March 25, 1887, at the age of fifty-five years, six month.

Text taken from page 249 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed June 1997 by Paula Talbert of Caldwell, OH as part of the Beers Project. Published July 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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