Nathan Baird

1896-1976

Nathan Baird was born on April 23, 1896, in Elkland, PA. He was the second of four children born to William A. Baird and Enora Upham. Nathan’s siblings were Fanny (Stone) born in 1895, Viola (Mattison) born in 1898, and Elwin born in 1900.  In the spring of 1901, Nathan’s mother Enora, and his youngest sibling Elwin, both died just a few days apart. Nathan’s father remarried about 1905 to Francis E. [surname unknown].

Nathan moved to Webster, NY about 1913, his draft registration card from 1917 indicated his address was Webster Rd, Webster, NY.  According to the 1920 census, he boarded with Walter and Lodisa Wright on Webster Rd. Walter Wright managed the farm while his wife Lodisa was the proprietor of the boarding house.  A note with the Dew Drop Inn letterhead found on the Webster Museum website indicated Nathan had been staying at the Wright home for over five years before his induction into the army in 1918. During this time Nathan worked for Monroe Manufacturing Co. in Webster, NY as a casket maker. 

When the United States entered WWI, many young men received draft notices.  Nathan received his notice on September 16, 1917.  He was inducted into the army on February 24, 1918, at Rochester, NY.  His basic training occurred at Camp Devens in Massachusetts with the 21st Company, 6th Training Battalion, 151 Depot Brigade.  He remained with them until March 15, 1918, when he was assigned to Company K, 307th Regiment, 77th Division as a private.  Nathan’s division was sent overseas on April 6, 1918, on the SS Justicia landing in Liverpool, England.  From England, he was sent to Calais, France where the 307th infantry participated in several campaigns: Oise-Aisne, Meuse-Argonne, Champagne, and Lorraine.

Nathan’s division fought in the Battle of Chateau-Thierry from May 31 through July 22, 1918, in the Argonne Forest. This was one of the first actions of the American Expeditionary Forces consisting of troops from the US Army and the Marine Corps under the command of General John J. Pershing. The AEF took command of the main bridge over the river in Chateau Thierry changing the course of the war.

On April 23, 1919, Nathan was transported home to the United States on the USS St. Louis from the city of Brest, France. Upon returning to the United States, Nathan was honorably discharged. The 307th was demobilized on May 9, 1919, at Camp Upton, New York.

After his discharge, Nathan returned to Webster, NY, and his home with Walter and Lodisa Wright.  He also returned to his work at the casket factory as a nailer.  Nathan married Evelyn Hill of Webster, NY on June 23, 1928.  Rev. Kenneth W Clark, a Baptist Minister, performed the ceremony.  They had two daughters, Jeanne (Williams) born about 1929 and Elizabeth (Banister) born about 1931. The family moved to Nunda, New York in 1930.  Nathan was employed by the local casket company there. While in Nunda, Nathan was an active member of the Cecil Seager American Legion Post, serving as commander in 1940. Mr. and Mrs. Baird were also active members of the Nunda Baptist Church. Nathan and his family continued to maintain their close connection to Webster while living in Nunda, visiting family and friends often including Evelyn’s sister Nan who married William Pellett on June 16, 1931

In 1950 Nathan and his family moved back to Webster, first living at Donald Middleton’s apartment on Dunning Ave and then moving to 42 Baker St, Webster, NY.  The 1954 Rochester, NY Directory listed Nathan’s occupation as “carpenter.”  Nathan and his wife were active members of the Webster Baptist Church. 

Nathan died on February 28, 1976.  He is buried in Webster Union Cemetery with his wife Evelyn who died on February 26, 1997.