BAIRD, Samuel Thomas

(1861—1899)

BAIRD, Samuel Thomas, a Representative from Louisiana; born in Oak Ridge, Morehouse Parish, La., May 5, 1861; educated under private tutors and attended the Vincennes (Ind.) University; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1882 and commenced practice in Bastrop, Morehouse Parish, La.; district attorney of the sixth judicial district 1884-1888; district judge of the sixth judicial district 1888-1892; resumed the practice of law in Bastrop; member of the State senate in 1896; delegate to the Democratic National Convention at Chicago in 1896; elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-fifth and Fifty-sixth Congresses and served from March 4, 1897, until his death in Washington, D.C., April 22, 1899; interment in Christ Church Cemetery, Bastrop, La.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present, contributed by A. Newell.


McFEE, William—District Deputy Grand Master of Grand Lodge of Louisiana, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., April 14th, 1817. At an early age he removed to Jefferson County, Miss. In 1844, he removed to Morehouse Parish, La., where he resided up to the time of his death. He was the first Clerk of the District Court in that parish, and continued in that office until 1854. He represented the parish in the Legislature in 1860 and 1861. He was made a Master Mason in Union Fraternal Lodge, No. 53, in 1846. In the same year he assisted in forming Mount Gerizim Lodge, No. 54, at Bastrop, and was for many years W. M. of that Lodge. He also for many years occupied the station of M. E. H. Priest of Living Stone R. A. Chapter, No. 16 (alternating with M. E. Comp. A. S. Washburn). As a Mason, he was universally beloved and respected for his uprightness, integrity, and zeal. In 1865, he was appointed D. D. Grand Master for the 7th district, which had been vacated by the death of his intimate friend and brother, A. S. Washburn. He died on Jan. 29th, 1867, in the 50th year of his age, and was interred with all the honors conferrable by the fraternity, of which he was so long a worthy and zealous member. Source: Masonic Biography and Dictionary; By Augustus Row

HALL, Luther Egbert- Former governor of Louisiana, died at New Orleans, La., November 6. He was born at Morehouse Parish, La., August 30, 1869; graduated at Washington and Lee University in 1889 and after studying law, began practicing in Louisiana in 1892. From 1898 to 1910 he held successively the positions of judge of the 6th district, judge of the court of appeals, and associate justice of the supreme court of the State. He was governor of Louisiana, 1912-16. Source: New International Yearbook 1922.