Mary Jane (BAIRD) POOR, a daughter of Samuel BAIRD [and Millie (PARKS) BAIRD], one of the early settlers of Clinton Township was born in Putnam County, Indiana, October 12, 1849, and came with her parents to Ringgold County in 1853, where she has since lived. On April 11, 1867 she married J[ohn]. M[arshall]. POOR born in Washington County, Indiana, August 4, 1836, the eldest child of Alvin and Julia A. POOR, who were among the pioneer settlers of Ringgold County. They came to this county in the year 1856, and settled in Clinton Township on a farm where they spent their last years. They were the parents of eight children. Mr. POOR followed farming in Clinton Township until 1875, when he commenced improving his present farm in Rice Township, having improved his 160 acres himself without any assistance. In politics Mr. POOR casts his suffrage with the Republican party. He has served in several township offices efficiently and acceptably, and is at present township assessor. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist church. Their children are - Eugene W., Millie Belle, Mary Emma, Willie W., Elmer R. and Lura M. Orville D., their fifth child, died aged one year on October 16, 1882.

Samuel Moore BAIRD was born in 1825, and died May 7, 1896. Millie Elizabeth (PARKS) BAIRD was born on July 20, 1832, and died on January 24, 1894. Samuel and Mille was interred at Fairview Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa. There is a G.A.R. marker beside Samuel's gravestone.

John Marshall POOR was born in Washington County, Indiana, on August 4, 1936. He enlisted on August 9, 1862, and was assigned to Company G of the 29th Iowa Infantry, and was honorably discharged at Davenport, Iowa, on August 10, 1865. J. M. died on May 29, 1908.

Mary Jane (BAIRD) POOR died at her home east of Mount Ayr on March 1st, 1926 at the age of 76 years, 4 months and 20 days. She was interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa, beside her husband J. M.

John Marshall and Mary Jane (BAIRD) POOR were the parents of eight children:

1) Eugene Washington POOR
    born 22 Feb 1868, near Redding, Ringgold Co. IA; died unknown
    interment Hickory Grove Cemetery, Ringgold Co. IA
2) Millie Belle POOR
    born 04 May 1871, near Redding, Ringgold Co. IA
3) Mary Emma POOR
    born 05 Oct, 1873, near Redding, Ringgold Co. IA
4) William Walter "Willie" POOR
    born 13 Jul 1876, near Redding, Ringgold Co. IA; died 1958
    interment Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr IA
    married Maud OGLE, born 1878; died 1970, interment Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, IA
    Willie and Maud were the parents of 6 children:
      1. John POOR, born circa 1899, Mount Ayr, Ringgold Co. IA
      2. Esther POOR, born circa 1901
      3. Nellie POOR, born circa 1907
      4. Homer POOR, born circa 1912
      5. Eloise POOR, born circa 1917
      6. Mary E. POOR, born circa 1922
5) Orville D. POOR
    born 1877, near Reddng, Ringgold Co. IA; died October 16, 1882
6) Elmer Roy POOR
    born 30 Mar 1879, near Redding, Ringgold Co. IA
7) Lura M. POOR
    born circa 1883, near Redding, Ringgold Co. IA
8) Pearl POOR
    born circa 1887, near Redding, Ringgold Co. IA

SOURCE: WPA Graves Survey

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, July of 2009