Baggs, George Thomas 1835-1911

BAGGS, PENNY, BENSON, BARKER, BAILEY

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 6/5/2018 at 17:06:04

The Grinnell (IA) Herald
Dec. 29, 1911

GEORGE T. BAGGS

George Thomas Baggs was born in Weymouth, England, July 7, 1835, and died at Rochester, Minnesota, December 24, 1911, his life span being seventy-six years, five months and seventeen days.

His parents were Robert Baggs and Mary Penny Baggs who with their family came to the United States in 1845 and settled at Kenosha, Wisconsin. Both parents finally became residents of Grinnell, the mother having died here in 1873 and the father in 1882 at the age of eighty-one years. Both are buried in Hazelwood cemetery.

Mr. Baggs had three brothers and two sisters, all of whom except the oldest sister at some time have been residents of Grinnell. All of these are deceased except J. Charles Baggs, a brother living in Des Moines now in his eightieth year and who was in attendance at the funeral. His eldest brother, William, died in Kansas City a few years ago. Elizabeth Baggs Benson, the eldest sister, died in Burlington, Wisconsin, in 1906. C. John Baggs, the younger brother, died in California, and Emma Baggs Barker, wife of Watson H. Barker, also died in California.

On August 14, 1862, Mr. Baggs enlisted and was enrolled in Company E, 21st Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers to serve three years and served until the end of the war.

During the war, Mr. Baggs served in several important engagements and was wounded at the battle of Chickamaugua, being struck by a bullet in the ligaments of the left ankle which caused a slight lameness during the remainder of his life. After recovery from his wound, he was assigned to guard duty during most of the remainder of his army service.

Upon the close of the war, Mr. Baggs returned to his home in Wisconsin. He moved to Grinnell in the following year, remaining here for about a year, then moving to Hickory Grove township, Jasper county, where he resided until 1876, when he returned to Grinnell, where he has since resided.

In 1877 Mr. Baggs was married to Joanna Bailey, daughter of James F. and Cornelia D. Bailey, and a graduate of Iowa college. Mrs. Baggs and three children survive him. His oldest son, Charles B. Baggs, is now traveling for a Denver hardware firm, and resides in Colorado Springs. He and his wife and two children were present at the funeral. His son, Russell A. Baggs, farms the home place just northwest of the city. His only daughter, Clara M. Baggs, also resides at home.

Mr. Baggs has been a member of the Congregational church of this city since July, 1877, and a regular attendant for nearly 35 years.

Although Mr. Baggs was very quiet and unassuming yet he was at the same time very well informed, energetic and industrious. He was a kind husband, a wise and generous parent, an excellent neighbor, a staunch friend, a brave soldier, in sort a "good citizen" in the best meaning of that term.

Mr. Baggs had not been feeling well this fall and left for Rochester, Minn. the night before Thanksgiving to have an operation performed. He appeared to be getting along as well as could be expected until last Friday and Saturday, when there were indications of pneumonia and when this trouble appeared his wakened system was not able to withstand it and it developed rapidly and he passed away at 9:30 Sunday morning. He was conscious until the last and knowing the end was near expressed himself as ready and anxious to go. Mrs. Baggs was with him during his entire illness and her sister, Jennie Bailey, was also present in Rochester when the end came. Russell and Clara Baggs and Mrs. Baggs' brother, W.D. Bailey, of Duluth, Minn., reached there later in the day.

The funeral was held at the residence at 2? p.m. on Wednesday, December 27, 1911, conducted by Rev. P.F. Marston.

The music was by Miss Stella Bartlett, Mrs. A.W. Child, Geo. Walker and C.W. Benson. Bearers were neighbors and friends: I.S. Bailey, A.A. Foster, B.J. Hadley, T.S. Mason, J.N. Hartzell and W.R. Rutherford.

In the death of Mr. Baggs one of our best known and most respected citizens has passed away, a man who was recognized as a man of integrity and honor. He will be missed not only in the home but in all Grinnell and vicinity.