Baugh, Downing 1798-1888

BAUGH, PACE, DAVIS, FLY, THURSTON, CLARK

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 2/20/2013 at 00:41:55

Postville Review, Sat., 4 Aug. 1888.

Judge D. Baugh died at McGregor last Saturday night, aged over ninety years. He was well known all over this section and was a prominent Mason.

Note: WPA records show Baugh, Downing 1798 - 1888, buried in Pleasant Grove cemetery at McGregor.

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Added by S. Ferrall May 24, 2020:

[For the data and facts pertaining to the life and character of Judge Baugh the writer is indebted to a memoranda written by the Judge, June 20th, 1874, and in the care of the late A.J. Jordan, and from information gathered by the writer in several interviews had with Judge Baugh during the last ten years. -G.H.O.]

Downing Baugh was born in Barron county, Kentucky, where the county seat (Glasgow) now stands, April 22, 1798. The immediate vicinity of his birth was a cane-brake on the extreme western frontier of the state. A small, now log cabin was the home of the Baugh's, situated in a lonely spot, the portion to the average frontiersman in those days, yet, withal, it was and proved to be a happy beginning in that new country.

John and Polly Baugh, parents of Downing, were hardy pioneers. In 1806 they removed from Kentucky and settled in Randolph county, Territory of Indiana, now St. Clair county, Illinois. Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Missouri, were unknown in the catalogue of states and territories. St. Louis was then situated in Louisiana territory and principally inhabited by a few French and Spaniards, engaged in the Indian fur trade.

In the fall of 1806 the family returned to the Kentucky home where they remained two years when they returned to Illinois. Again in 1810 the Kentucky home became the abiding place of the family and nine years after returned to Illinois, which was their home until called to a reunion with those who had preceded them to the Heavenly mansion.

The subject of our sketch had now reached his 21st year. The country schools had afforded him limited privileges for obtaining an education, but with their aid and the aid of friends of his father's large family he succeeded in securing a store of knowledge, and on his 21st birthday could boast of a common, practical education; at least he thought it sufficient for business purposes and was content to start in on life's busy voyage and improve his opportunities as they were offered.

Mt. Vernon, Jefferson county, Illinois, was his home, though he made frequent visits to old Kentucky, and with vigor and energy prosecuted many schemes for the betterment of his financial condition. In some he prospered and in many he failed. On the whole, it was a battle for dollars and cents, and success and disappointments were marked all along through an energetic young life.

Never for once discouraged, he finally in 1821 wooed and won the hand of Miss Millie Pace, a handsome, sprightly lady, of Jefferson county; a lady, good and noble, a Christian, who in character, and in her every day walk, let the lines of a pure soul shine out in brilliancy, an example of purety, of loving kindness, of gentle and womanly nature.

To this union eight children were born, four of whom survive, Mrs. M.E. Fly, Mt. Vernon, Ill.; Mrs. Hattle Thurston, Dakota; J.W. and J. Van Cleve Baugh, Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

Mrs. Baugh died in the spring of 1846, and November 11, 1846, he married Miss Sophronia Davis, of Hamilton county, Illinois. By this union three children were born, one of whom with the mother survives, Mrs. H.H. Clark, of McGregor. Of this we speak further along.

Thus far in life's journey Downing Baugh had experienced the ups and downs of a business career, and catching the fever of excitement then raging, consequent on the opening up to settlement and advancement of the great north-west, in 1857, he landed at McGregor, and as this place was then the central point of attraction, he settled down, and up to the hour of his death was an honored citizen in this community.

Admitted to the bar in Illinois, at the age of 32 years, he naturally became an office worker, and with his pure and social nature and candid, honest and conscientious management in business affairs he was early inducted into official positions.

While in Illinois he was elected and served acceptably as County and Circuit Judge, besides filling responsible stations in the municipal and township organizations. Under the administration of President Andrew Jackson he held the office of postmaster at Mt. Vernon; was removed on President Harrison coming into power, and re-appointed on the accession of President Tyler, but retained it only for a single quarter, resigning in favor of a friend.

During his residence in McGregor he served as a member of the school board, the Village Board and was Recorder for the Council two or three terms, and justice of the peace until he retired from active life.

For two or three years he was in partnership with Hon. John T. Stoneman in the practice of the law, and while the county seat was at Guttenberg, or rather on wheels seeking a location.

Judge Baugh was a Mason of long standing, having first joined Mt. Vernon, Ill., lodge No. 31, in 1842, of which he was created a S.W. at the first meeting following his initiation, and W.M. the year following, and a representative of the lodge in the G.L. of Illinois at the end of the year.

On his arrival at McGregor he joined Bezer lodge No. 135. Was made a Chapter Mason in 1864, holding the offices of H.P. and P.S. for several years. He passed through the several chairs in the Subordinate lodge, and in the Chapter. His knowledge of Masonry and his intense interest in the order made him a prominent character in its councils.

In 1866 he was created a Knight Templar in the organization of the Commandery in McGregor, and the following morning was appointed Prelate, in which capacity he served for sixteen years. In 1870, at the meeting of the Grand Commandery at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, he was elected Grand Prelate, which office he held for fourteen years, being annually re-elected. The following year (1871) he was elected Grand Chaplain, continuing to hold both the office of Chaplain and Prelate for the succeeding thirteen years.

In the absence of G.H.P., J.O. Luce, he presided at the meeting of the Grand Chapter in Council Bluffs in 1871. He was a devoted member of the order of Masonry, and during his years of active work in the lodge room enjoyed all the honors in the gift of the order both in the home lodge and in the state organization. He stood high in its councils and was revered and loved for the example he gave to those just entering the portals of the grand asylum. He was thoroughly Masonic, and was so imbued with hit principles and teachings that his life and character were in harmony with its precepts.

Up to the age of 33 Judge Baugh had taken no active part in religious societies or religious meetings and teachings. Naturally of a social disposition the world seemed to offer a field of activity in harmony with his views. His parents and a large family connection were strictly religious, and though he had been surrounded with every inducement, by example and precept, he had held aloof from uniting with any Christian faith. As he expressed it to the writer, "There was always something new and inviting in my immediate vicinity and I enjoyed the world and made the most of it, never once thinking that I was running any risk as to my future state."

Though attending the services of the church, and in an early day becoming attached to the liberal policy of Methodistism, it was not until in August, 1833, at the age of 35, that Judge Baugh experienced a change of sentiment and heart and was converted in the M.E. church at Mt. Vernon, which church he joined, and immediately became an active, working member. When he joined there were only two members of the society, now that same church numbers a membership of over 300, and in his own language, "of which denomination, through Christ and the forbearance of my brethren I have ever since remained a member."

In the church, as in the Masonic order, he held at different times, all the offices in the gift of the society, which a layman could fill. He was an active and zealous worker and loved his church and its creed and teachings. When he joined the McGregor church, G.S.G. Scott, Burbridge, Bicknell and a few others comprised the main membership. Judge Baugh had an explicit reliance in his religious creed.

He had implicit faith in the promised reward for faithful service here below. His trust, his hope, his all, was in God, and as expressed at the funeral service by his pastor, he "felt as safe and happy as a child nestling in its mother's arms,".

A true Christian, a firm believer in the Holy Bible, a constant student, he was at all times prepared to defend the Holy Religion with a grace and that positiveness that gave no room to doubt his sincerity. His place in the pew and his hearty responses, his fervent prayers, and his happy, genial talks in the class room, are remembered with pleasure and profit. A veteran in the Christian vineyard, a Hero among the children of God, his good deeds and manly character, is a legacy left to do service to others.

In conversation with friends he readily quoted favorite passages of scripture. One of his oft repeated verses was, "God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of Jesus Christ," and his last, and one appropriate to his condition, was repeated only a short time previous to his death, and was used by his pastor, Rev. Pye, as the text for the funeral discourse, found to the 33d chapter of Isaiah and 17th verse: "Thine eyes shall see the King in His beauty; they shall behold the land that is very far off." His favorite songs were: "All hail the power of Jesus' name." And still another, "Solemn strikes the funeral chime." Two favorites he had requested to be sang at his funeral obsequies.

The writer hereof might, with no propriety, quote largely from Judge Baugh upon subjects of paramount interest to all classes of people, memorandas of short talks had with him from time to time, but this article has already reached an unusual length, hence they are reserved for a future time. He was a firm friend of the young and ambitious student, and his own personal experiences were often related, not as a guide for others to follow but as illustrating a point favorable or unfavorable in the walks of life.

Politically Judge Baugh was a democrat. Born and raised in Kentucky where the popular voice was from year to year emphasized in a large majority for democracy, naturally he followed with the tide and became a devoted member of the dominant party. When he reached his majority, in 1819 (the era of good feeling), Monroe was president, then followed the election of John Quincy Adams in 1824, and the exciting contest in 1828, when Andrew Jackson was elected. The government was, so to speak, still in its infancy, and momentous questions of national policy were constantly arising.

All through his boyhood days young Baugh had witnessed exciting political contests, and as he grew to manhood, the political complications gathered with every recurring year. The war of 1812 was one of the exciting periods, a war that taught the government and people a valuable lesson, and one they hastened to profit by.

The new and better period opened with Monroe's administration, a period of uninterrupted development, for which the past history of the country had been a preparation. The two points of supreme importance, vigor in the general government, and security to the people, were happily mingled and wrought into the spirit and form of our institutions.

A young and vigorous mind like that of Baugh's immediately grappled with the questions of the hour, and when the discussion in December, 1819, on the balance between the north and south in relation to slavery, waxed warm in and out of congress, when Missouri and Maine were applying for admission to the Union, every corner grocery was the scene of an earnest discussion, and young Baugh was always at the front and foremost in a round on the political platform.

This period of political bickerings, lasted until in 1821, when the question was settled by the application of the Missouri Compromise to the admission of that state, Maine coming in the year previous. Baugh was always interested in politics, and at all times was ready to discuss the questions involved. His political differences with men and measures were sharp and pointed, earnest and emphatic, yet we know not that he left a sting within any breast that would blot the even and happily woven record of which we write. He was honest and conscientious in his beliefs and brave in their defense.

He lived more than the average alotted time of man, reaching the ripe old age of 90 years, three months and six days. In 1871 his eye-sight began to fail, resulting in a total blindness about ten years ago. Last year his age and increasing infirmities confined him to the home, and in that time there was a gradual weakening of nature's powers. He was patient, and happy, with an unclouded intellect, manifesting all along a love of pleasant repartee. He was fully prepared for the crowning event, and expressed time and again his readiness to meet his Savior.

A good man has been gathered unto his fathers. At peace with God and all mankind, his body rests in the narrow cell, deep down in the cold damp ground, his soul with God and the Angels.

The good wife, who has so diligently watched by the bedside and answered to the patient's every want, mourns the loss of a noble and honored husband. Their union was one of real life, happy in Christian experiences, blended with true love and devotion. Living for one another, daily in prayer and communion, their lives were as one, in purety, in love and in honor.

God comfort the aged companion. the sons and daughters, while deeply grieved over the loss of a beloved parent, have the consolation that he died in the enjoyment of God's promises - by the world respected and honored - leaving to them a priceless gem, the example of a Godly life.

The funeral rites paid to this good man, were, in form, as he desired it should be - a simple, plain, and impressive service. the eulogies from the pulpit, by his pastor, Rev. Pye, and Presiding Elder Mabry, were tributes of honor to a life service replete with good deeds. His Brother Masons at his bier acknowledged the Knightly honors due the Grand Old Prelate, and in form and ceremony crowned his Masonic record with a diadem, which in time, shall be inscribed upon his monument "IN HOC SIGNO VINCES"

~North Iowa Times, Thursday, August 9, 1888