Baxter, Samuel (1830-1915)

BAXTER, VAN VOORHIS, GOFF, STARKEY, GAYER

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 11/17/2016 at 11:48:48

Webster City Freeman, Webster City, Iowa, Tuesday, September 21, 1915

SAMUEL BAXTER PASSES AWAY

One of the Best Known Pioneer Citizens of This City Dies at Ripe Age of Nearly Eighty-Five.

CAME TO WEBSTER CITY IN 1865

Active in Business for Many Years and Had Held Many Positions of Trust.

Samuel Baxter, one of the pioneer settlers of Webster City, passed away Sunday afternoon at three o'clock at the ripe age of eighty-five years, lacking a few months. He had been ill for about six weeks following a paralytic stroke, since which his strength has been gradually failing. Mr. Baxter retired from active business life about fifteen years ago and has during these years of retirement enjoyed the usual health of the advanced in years.

Samuel Baxter was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, December 4, 1830, where he lived until 1865, when he came to Webster City. His family did not come until the following year at which time they occupied a house on east Division street, with the Sumner Wilson family. Later a portion of the old frame block across the street from the present Baxter home - now known as the Rosenkrans building - was erected by him, and when finished the upstairs was occupied by his family. A few years later they bought and remodelled the present home where they have since resided.

His first business venture here was the buying of a half interest in 1,000 head of sheep. In 1867 he took the contract to erect Hamilton county's first court house, which he built upon the northwest corner of the present city park on Bank and Seneca streets. In 1868 he was elected county recorder and filled the position two terms. After retiring from the office he engaged in the real estate business and continued in that line until 1882, when he formed a co-partnership with the late W.B. Howard and opened up a hardware and farm implement business, occupying quarters for many years at the corner of Seneca and Bank streets. In 1874 he was elected a member of the board of supervisors, serving nearly six years, and was a member of the board when the present court house was erected. It was during his term of office also that the poor farm was purchased and the first county home erected. It was also due to Mr. Baxter's efforts that such a fine court yard park is now a thing of beauty. When he became a member of the board not a tree or shrub was upon the grounds, and it was through his personal efforts that the work of planting trees was done. Later he was elected mayor of Webster City and filled the position with credit to himself and to the general satisfaction of the people. During his administration as mayor the old city electric light plant across from the court house was built.

Mr. Baxter was a lifelong Mason, uniting with the order in Nashport, Ohio, and soon after coming to Webster City adding his name to the number who constituted the earliest members of the Masonic order in this city. He was ever a faithful attendant of the lodge in all its departments.

Since the establishment of the Kendall Young Library he has been chairman of the board of directors, serving in that capacity sixteen years.

In all the relations of life, Samuel Baxter averaged up to the full stature of a man. He was successful in business and filled every position of trust to which his fellow citizens called him with fidelity and signal ability and proved his true worth in every test. During the late years he has lived quietly with his family at the old home on the corner of First and Seneca streets and died with the respect and esteem of everybody who knew him.

Mr. Baxter was among the pioneer members of the Congregational church of this city. He had served in nearly every office of the society and was for many years a deacon, being elected as deacon emeritus at the last annual meeting of the church when he desired to retire from active service as deacon. It can be truthfully said of him that the world was better because of his having lived in it.

The wife and mother [Mary Gayer] passed into the land beyond in 1906 and the three children born to the union still survive. They are Mrs. Laura Van-Voorhis of Zanesville, Ohio, and Howard and Florence, both of this city. Two brothers and two sisters are the survivors of a family of ten, one of the brothers, J.J. Baxter, of Denver, Col., arriving Friday night. The other brother is Charles Baxter, also of Denver. The sisters are Mrs. Mary Goff of Galesburg, Ill., and Mrs. Z.T. Starkey of Springfield, Ill.

The funeral services will be held at the family home this afternoon at 3 o'clock, Rev. Arthur Metcalf, pastor of the Congregational church, officiating. The Masons will attend the services in a body.