Page:Men of Mark in America vol 1.djvu/194



AIRD, GEORGE WILLIAM, whose life-record is that of an unassuming man of fine executive abihty, a loyal patriot and a distinguished soldier, was born in Milford, Connecticut, December 30,1839. His father, Jonah Newton Baird, was a farmer. For many years an invalid, he died while his son was still very young. Thus early deprived of a father's influence, it was to his mother, whose maiden name was Minerva Gunn, that he owed the determination to make the most of himself and to make a way when no way appeared. His ancestry in America dates back to 1639, including in his father's line Captain John Beard, a soldier in the defense of Connecticut against the Indians. On his father's side he is descended from Thomas Hooker, the founder of Connecticut colony. A strong constitution enabled him to begin work on the farm when nine years old. He thus early formed habits of industry. Unoccupied time was unknown, and the accomplishment of work he had undertaken he accounted sufficient pleasure, although reading and study were never neglected. Difficulties beset his determined efforts to secure an education. But he was graduated from the Hopkins grammar school in 1859, entering Yale college at once. He enlisted as a private in 1862; but he received his diploma in 1863 with his class. After the war, he studied civil engineering at the Sheffield scientific school, 1865-66.

His military career has been remarkable. As the result of a competitive examination, he was promoted from the rank of private immediately to that of colonel in the volunteer army. It is asserted that General Casey, chairman of the examining board, said that Private Baird had passed the finest examination of any man who had ever appeared before the board. On inquiring into his antecedents, the board discovered that he had the most meager income during his college course, but they did not learn from him the fact that he stood near the head of the class. After his appointment as colonel he participated in several battles in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.