Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 466-467; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Alfred J. Baxter, M. D., though still a young man has
already acquired a fine reputation as a skillful surgeon and a
successful physician, and has built up an extensive practice in
Astoria, where he has one of the most beautiful homes in the county.
Dr. Baxter was born February 28, 1855, in Newark, N. J. His
father, Emil Baxter, was born either in England or Scotland. The
grandfather of our subject was a native of Scotland. He was a lace
manufacturer and operated a factory in Lisle, France, making his home
in that country and in his native land. He paid frequent visits to the
United States, as he had an importing house in New York City. His last
years were spent with his son Emil in Newark, N. J. He reared but two
children, one of whom died in early manhood.
The father of our subject came to America in early manhood to attend to
his father's business, and made his home in Newark. On account of
ill-health he was obliged to abandon commercial pursuits, and he came
to Illinois. He staid here but a short time on that occasion, but in
1860 returned to make a permanent settlement, and located in Nauvoo,
where he bought land and turned his attention to horticulture. He has
met with more than ordinary success in that line, and is one of the
leading horticulturists of Illinois. He has been especially successful
in the culture of the grape and has the largest vineyard in the State.
He has been twice married. The maiden name of his first wife, mother of
our subject, was Annette Powell, and she was a native of Connecticut.
Her father, Thomas Powell, was an inventor of much skill, and at
different times lived in Hartford, Meriden, and Waterbury, Conn. The
mother of our subject died in Nauvoo in 1863, leaving six children, all
of whom survive, as follows: Emil, Alfred J., Annette, Thomas, Cecil,
and Alice. The father has one daughter by his second marriage, Addie.
Dr. Baxter received his early education in the public schools of
Nauvoo, and advanced it by attendance at the academy in Denmark, Iowa.
After leaving that institution of learning he began teaching in 1876,
first in a district school in Hancock County, and then was elected
Principal of the Nauvoo schools, and held that position three years.
During that time he commenced the study of medicine with Prof. J. C.
Hughes, of Keokuk, Iowa. He attended medical lectures at the College of
Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, and was graduated from there in the
spring of 1880. Thus well-fitted for his profession, he immediately
entered upon its duties in Nauvoo, his old home, where he was
well-known and had many friends. In 1882 he made an extended trip
through the West, going even to the Pacific Coast. He gleaned much
pleasure and profit from his journey and returned refreshed to his
labors.
In 1883 the Doctor came to Astoria, and has since been in active
practice here. He has been eminently successful, not only financially,
but professionally, and is conceded to be one of the brightest and
ablest medical men in the county. Although his time is so occupied with
his numerous patients, he manages to keep himself well-informed in all
that concerns his profession, and keeps abreast of the times. He is the
only member of the Illinois State Medical Society in Fulton County, and
is a member of the Military Tract Medical Society. He is identified
with the I. 0. 0. F. as a member of Astoria Lodge, No. 112. Possessing
a genial, frank disposition and many pleasant personal attributes, he
is very popular, and with his amiable wife occupies a high social
position among the best people of Astoria.
Dr. Baxter was married March 29, 1886, to Miss Emma, oldest
daughter of the well-known physician, Dr. B. C. Toler, who is
represented elsewhere in this volume. Three children Bessie May,
Annette Lulu and Alfred J., have been born to our subject and his wife.
In the month of January, 1890 the Doctor bought one of the finest
residences in the county; it is a commodious brick house occupying
ample grounds, whose grassy lawns, shaded by beautiful trees and
shrubbery, and adorned with lovely flowers, combine to make it a very
attractive home.
