BAXTER Family


John BAXTER b.? d.? m. SARAH (MNUnkn) b.?d.?
John and Sarah Baxter were described as being of English and Scottish descent. At some time in the past the couple migrated to America and were living in Knox County, Ohio when their son Samuel was born.
Samuel BAXTER b.? d.1831 m. Keziah GREMEAN b.? d. 1853
Samuel and Keziah were living in Ross County, Ohio when their oldest child James was born. They then moved their family, which eventually totaled either nine or eleven children to Amanda Township, Allen County, Ohio in 1827 or 1828. They settled on the banks of the Auglaize River where Samuel pioneered a farm. Samuel died about four years after arriving in Allen County.
James BAXTER b. 9 Sept 1817 Ross Co.,OH d.? married on 20 APR 1837 (this date is later given as 20 FEB 1837) to Melissa JOHN b.10 Jan 1820 d.? d/o Griffith JOHN and Rachel MILLER.
1850 US Census: Ohio: Allen Co.,District 6, Amanda Township: 17 Sep 1850. Enumer: John Keller James BAXTER born in Ross County, OH. James took over the responsibility of running the family farm after his father died. At eighteen years of age he started out for himself engaging in daily labor.
Griffith John BAXTER b. 6 Mar 1841 in Allen Co.,OH d. 15 Jun 1922 Hartford, Coffey Co.,KS married 25 Dec 1866 in Allen Co., OH to Mary Agnes METZLER b. 30 Mar 1849 in York Co.,PA. d. 5 Nov 1930 in Hartford, Coffey Co.,KS.

Mr. Baxter held the office of township trustee for 16 years and was county infirmary director for 6 years 'arriving at these positions of honor by energy and close application to business'. The family are members of the Christian church in which James was an elder. He took an active interest in the improvement of stock and farm products and the advancement of education.
Griffith John Baxter moved from Lima, Ohio and settled near the town of Strawn, Coffey Co.Ks in 1879. Both are buried in Strawn Cemetery, Strawn, Coffey Co.,KS.

**Submitted 4 Mar 1985 by Griffith H. Baxter, Tulsa,OK for the Biographical Records of Inhabitants of Coffey County Kansas. Coffey County Historical and Genealogical Society, Burlington, KS.
Baxter Family Member Contact: Greg Bastian a descendant of James' brother, Smith Baxter.