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| Birth: | 16 Dec 1898 in Eastwood, Oxford Co, Ont 1 2 3 |
| Death: | 21 Aug 1987 in Woodstock, Oxford Co, Ont 1 2 3 |
| Sex: | M |
| Father: | Andrew Baird b. 3 Jul 1866 in Eastwood, Oxford Co, Ont |
| Mother: | Mary Richardson b. 9 Dec 1870 in Burford, Brant Co, Ont |
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Individual:
[2004Haycock.FTW]
David was born 16 December 1898 in Eastwood, Ont. to Andrew Baird and Mary Richardson. He was the first of four children born to this family, probably all born on the family farm located on Lot 4, Concession 3 of East Oxford Township. David was almost four when his sister Mary Jenevera Baird was born on 6 Oct 1902. David went to school in East Oxford and attended regularly until grade 6 when, like so many farm boys of the day, he remained home to assist with farm chores and learn farming. He became a brother to twins born on 11 Mar 1907. They were Douglas Christie and Elsie Anna, however, both developed whooping cough shortly after their birth and died in June that year.
At the age of 18, in the summer and fall of 1917, David got to meet his Baird cousins in Alberta. Because David was a farmer, he was exempted from conscription during the First World War. David never went to war but one of his cousins did. That was Ernie Baird, eldest son of Uncle William Baird. He later returned and moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho where he lived and raised a family. In any case, David got to see the west and the land he heard his father talk about visiting when he was young. David went west via train to Pincher Creek and from here he was picked up by his Uncle Robert and taken to his 10,000 acre ranch called "Round-Up" about 6 miles west south west of Granum. His Uncle Robert never married but his Uncle Jack (John) had 5 children and Uncle William had 6 children. David stayed in Alberta for a few months then returned to his father's farm in Ontario and never got back to Alberta again until 40 years later.
Upon his return to Ontario David Baird started a relationship with a young Hickson lady named Irene Wadland, daughter of John Wadland and Emily Barnes. How they met is not exactly known but I suspect it was through a local 4-H club that was attended by many young farm people looking for some social activities, approved by and much supervised by the parents. It must have been a strong courtship as David had to travel many miles by horse and carriage to visit Irene in Hickson. On 25 February 1925 David and Irene were married in Hickson, Ontario. David was 26 and Irene was 21.
Their first home was located on a farm in Burgessville, Ont. where they lived for only two years. In 1927 they moved to the farm next door to David's father's farm in Eastwood, the same year Ruby was born. In 1935, David sold his farm and moved into his old home with his father. This was the year David's mother died and David would be needed to help his aged father with the old homestead. This became home for David and Irene until they sold it in 1951. Having no one to carry on with the farm, they moved to 594 Ingersoll Ave., in Woodstock, where they remained the rest of their days. While on the old homestead life carried on as it did for many farmers of the time. The "Hungry Thirties" were hard times for most people in the cities as jobs and income were difficult to find and keep. Though they had no money, David was very thankful, for food was not a problem for a farmer. Many times men would come up to the farm and ask for a days work in exchange for a meal and many times David obliged them. Again the world was involved in a world war and again David was exempt from conscription because of his farmer status.
In September 1927, Ruby was born to David and Irene.She was the only child of this family. Ruby grew up on the farm that was started by her Great Grandfather David Baird in the 1860's and now operated by her father. The farm was 100 acres in size, sufficient to grow their own food, grain, corn, hay for their cattle and barns for their pigs, chickens and dairy cows. During harvest time David would hire men to bring in the crops and Irene would busy herself all day long preparing meals for the workers. David and Irene had a pretty active social life and hosted many local functions. David belonged to the Masons and Irene was a member of the Eastern Star. Through these groups they made many life long friends. These friends and neighbours supported each other through good and bad times. That became evident when on March 22, 1944 a fire took their home and most of their possessions. Everyone rallied and helped to build a new home and donated many items to help support them until their new home was built. During this time they lived in the old board house built by David's grandfather.
Farming was becoming more and more difficult as each year passed and with no one to carry on with the farm David decided to sell it. In January 1951 David said goodbye to farming and moved into Woodstock. David worked at the McKinney Lumber Yard while Irene put her skill as a seamstress to work at a local ladies wear store. It must have been quite a change for both of them. They had lived in the wide open space of a farm for almost 25 years and now found themselves living on a city lot with only a house and small garage to work in. David loved to work in his garage and made many of his own things and also managed to plant a large garden in the back yard.
The hungry times of past years were ever present on his mind and he made sure that his root cellar and food stores were always at their peak. Irene made many preserves and they were never short of fresh fruit obtained from David's cousin, George Peffers. Every year David's grandchildren assisted him with digging and planting his garden. They also learned from him how to work a table saw, use a drill, refinish furniture and the value of a hard day's work. David and Irene adored their grandchildren and spent a lot of time with them. They always appeared to be very interested in their thoughts and many Saturday mornings were spent in debate with David over issues of the day. David always welcomed debate but never argued his position, he was a good listener.
David did get out west twice more after his 1917 trip. In the 1950's he travelled by car to Alberta with Irene, his brother-in-law, Emerson, and his wife. They visited the ranch and many of his cousins. David did see the West Coast in 1972 when he took his first flight and visited Kenn and his wife in Victoria, B.C. He said afterwards he didn't understand what all the fuss was about regarding flying, he enjoyed it. But he never flew again!
If David left anything behind it was his sense of family. No one doubted his dedication and love of the family and their heritage. Any moment, no matter how short, spent with the family was an important moment. During his 60th wedding anniversary the family had a gathering of friends and relatives to help celebrate this day. David surprised most of us by delivering a speech to the guests which was not only interesting but humorous. His calm demeanour and confidence was obvious. Later we found out his secret. In all his "going out" clothes we found notes stuffed in all the pockets. They had printed on them a prayer or grace or some joke. So if he was ever caught in the moment and had to say a few words, he already had them prepared.
David lived a long life of 88 years plus and saw many changes in the world. He saw two world wars, saw the car come into common fashion, saw men fly and eventually land on the moon, saw the telephone and television developed . David was the last of the family to live on the old homestead and saw the last of his Baird lineage. When he died, friends say it was one of the largest funeral processions many had seen, a tribute to his life and impact he had on so many families and friends. He is remembered fondly by all those who knew him.
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- Title: Haycock.FTW
Media: Other
Text: Date of Import: Nov 20, 2001
- Title: 2002haycock.FTW
Media: Other
Text: Date of Import: 4 Jan 2003
- Title: 2004Haycock.FTW
Media: Other
Text: Date of Import: 1 Jan 2005
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