James Baxter

As printed in 1885

JAMES BAXTER, farmer, P. O. Allentown, was born September 9, 1817, in Ross County, Ohio, son of Samuel and Keziah (Cremean) Baxter, former born in Knox County, Ohio, son of John and Sarah Baxter, both foreigners. Samuel Baxter had eleven children, those living are James; Curtis, in Marion Township, this county; Smith, in German Township, this county; David, in Marion Township, this county; Eliza, wife of William Cochran, of Marion Township, this county. The family came to Amanda Township, this county, in 1827, where they endured all the trials and hardships of pioneer life. The father died about four years after his removal to this county. Our subject being the eldest, manfully assumed the responsibility left by his father in providing for the family and clearing the farm, and for this reason he received but little education. At eighteen years of age he started out for himself, engaging in daily labor. He was married, April 20, 1837, to Melissa John, who was born January 10, 1820, in Ross County, Ohio, daughter of Griffith and Rachel (Miller) John, former a son of Abia and Martha John, born September 6, 1795, died February 20, 1856; latter a daughter of George and Sarah Miller, born September 13, 1802, died June 23, 1862. They were married February 20, 1817. To our subject and wife were born eleven children, four of whom died without issue. Samuel, the second child, was born April 16, 1839 (he was a corporal in Company I, Thirty-fourth Regiment, killed at Winchester, Ya., in the battle between Gens. Sheridan and Early; he was married to Rachel Cremean, by whom he had three children). Those living are Griffith J., in Cotfey County, Kans.; Keziah, wife of William D. Poling, county auditor; David E., in Amanda Township, this county; Levi, in Amanda Township, this county; Eliza (wife of Otis Fraunfelter), of Bath Township, this county, and Rachel, at home, unmarried. Mr. Baxter has held the office of township trustee for sixteen years and was for six years county infirmary director, arriving to these positions of honor by energy and close application to business. The family are members of the Christian Church, in which our subject was elder. He takes an active interest in the improvement of stock and farm products, and in the advancement of education and religion. He has lived to see a beautiful and productive country developed from the once dense forest, and to see thirty-two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren around him.

As printed in History of Allen County, Ohio : containing a history of the county, its townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; hist (1885). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.