In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. A few names of people born after 1905 are withheld for privacy. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908)
MILTON J. BAIRD, a representative farmer and well known citizen of Pleasant Township, residing on his valuable farm of seventy acres, which is situated on the Columbus Road, was born in Clark County, Ohio, November 27, 1870, and is a son of William J. and Nancy J. (Kimble) Baird.
His grandparents on the paternal side were residents in 1794 of Pennsylvania, whence they migrated to Kentucky, coming from the latter state to Clark County, Ohio, in 1808 and settling in Harmony Township. William Baird, the great-grandfather, had been a soldier in the Revolutionary War, fighting for American independence. At one time he was placed as a guard over certain Hessian prisoners, and accidentally overhearing several of them express sentiments favorable to America, and declare that they would never return to Germany, but would, if they could escape, become citizens of the new republic against which they had been hired to fight, he purposely relaxed his vigilance, with the result that they got away, and, it is to be presumed, fulfilled their intentions, to the benefit of the land of their adoption. The family tradition is that the Bairds originated in Scotland, were driven to Ireland by religious persecution and subsequently came to America. In Kentucky they intermarried with the Breckenridges and other prominent families.
Mr. Baird's grandparents, Peter C. and Frances (Wilson) Baird, were born, respectively, in Kentucky and North Carolina. They resided in Harmony Township, Clark County until their death, about 1872. Peter C. Baird came to Clark County in 1808. His ten children bore the following names, respectively: William 3., Clara J., Willis, Caroline, Susan, Lewis E., John. Robert, Dorothy and Mary Ann.
William J. Baird father of Milton J., was born March 27, 1826, in Clark County, Ohio, and was married twice, first to Frances Hayward. Three children were born to that marriage: John, who married Susan Slagle, resides at Springfield, and they have two children, Lewis and George; Margaret F., who married George Eberhart, residing in Clark Coimty; and Lewis R., who resides in Kansas, married Tjena Perro, and they have five children. February 19, 1867, William J. Baird was married (secondly) to Nancy J. Kimble, and the following children were born to them: Clara E., boi'n in 1868, married Frank Jones, and they reside in Clark County and have had four children: Milton J.; Nellie, born November 2, 1872, married C-lark Jones; Eva, born November 2, 1875, resides at Vienna Cross Roads; and Laura, born November 14, 1877, married Minor Slagle and they have two children. William J. Baird died February 20, 1907. His widow survives.
Milton J. Baird was reared on the home farm and attended the district schools. His main occupation has been farming, lu 1902 he purchased his present property from Andrew Goodfellow, and has been engaged in improving it ever since.
On December 26, 1900, Milton J. Baird was married to Floy Neer, a daughter of Nathan 0. and Millie (Comstock) Neer. The father of Mrs. Baird was born January 8, 1850, and in 1875 he married Millie Comstock, who was born Novemlier 8, 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Neer had the following children: Floy, wife of Milton J. Baird. was born October 24, 1876; Anna B., born July 18, 1879, married Eugene Grubb, and they have two children, Evlyn and Mildred; Benjamin, born October 31, 1882; Laura, born May 20, 1887; Ruth, born April 13, 1894; Mahlon, born April 20, 1898; and Clark, who was born March 16, 1885, died in the same year. Mr. and LIrs. Neer still survive.
Mr. and Mrs. Baird have four children, namely: Herbert, who was born January 8, 1902; Roland, who was born July 11, 1903; Howard, who was born September 14, 1905; and [name withheld], who was born March 26, 1907.
Mr. Baird takes a good citizen's interest in township affairs and gives liberal assistance to many public-spirited enterprises. In politics he is a Republican. He is a valued member of the township school board.
As printed in 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1908. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.