Catherine Baird 1822 - 1900

BAIRD, MCELHINNEY

Posted By: Deb (email)
Date: 12/8/2014 at 20:11:56

The Morning Sun News-Herald

Mrs. Catharine McElhinney-Baird was born near Londonderry, Ireland, August 10th, 1822. She departed this life April 14th, 1900.

When about 3 years old she came with her parents to the United States, and after residing a series of years In Pennsylvania and New York; emigrated to Iowa, with the rest of the family, where they arrived April 15, 1840.

She lacked a single day of having lived in the state 60 years.

She was married to John Baird in Philadelphia, March 12, 1840. Mr. Baird's death occurred on July 4th, 1881, so that she lived in widowhood almost 19 years.

She was in the truest sense of the word a mother. Five sons and six daughters live to mourn her death. One child died in early life.

Her grandchildren number 29, and her great-grandchildren, 3. She was eminently practical in all her life work. "She managed her affairs with discretion."

She loved her church devoutly, and understood the principles upon which It stood. She attended church when it cost her much effort, and when she felt unable to go any other place. During her last illness, her mind was unusually clear; her anticipation of the approaching end was with a quiet faith, a comfortable hope, a well grounded assurance. In herself she saw nothing on which to depend. In Jesus Christ she saw all that her soul desired. Her end came painlessly and peacefully, like the light of the morning-star that does not set but melts away into the clearer light of the eternal day. "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright for the end of that man is peace."

The funeral was attended by a vast concourse of people and among the mourners were a large number of early settlers. We note year by year how their number is being diminished. The emigrants are again emigrating -- this time to a land where infirmities of age, and sickness, and sorrow, and separation are words unknown.

May their posterity be as true to the right and as loyal to duty as the fathers and mothers were. "Show thy work unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children."