Joseph E. Baird, clerk of the courts of Wood county, and one of the most courteous and popular officials at the county seat, was born November 12, 1865, at Perrysburg, where his parents still reside. Proud of being a “Wood county product,” he has thoroughly identified himself with the interests of this locality, and in return the community has bestowed upon him a hearty endorsement at the very outset of his career.
C. C. Baird, his father, was born in 1830 in Stark county, Ohio, and came at an early age with his parents to Wood county, where he grew to manhood. He engaged in the hotel business at Perrysburg, and has also been prominent in the political work of the Republican party, holding various offices, from constable to sheriff of the county. He was elected to the latter position in 1872, and served for two terms, after which he returned to Perrysburg. In 1858 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Croft, who was born at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1838.
Our subject, who is one of ten children born of this union, was obliged to depend upon his own exertions for an education, and was still further handicapped by the loss of a leg when he was ten years of age. But his worthy ambition was supported by fine mental gifts, and the resistless energy which a life of high moral ideals and correct habits develops, and he triumphed over every obstacle. After graduating from the high school at his native place, he taught for some years with marked success, was also assessor for two terms in his township, being elected on the Republican ticket in a strongly Democratic neighborhood. Entering the Law department of the University of Michigan, he was graduated therefrom in 1893. In August of that year he became the candidate of his party for his present position, and three months later was elected by 1,638 majority, being 319 more votes than were cast in his county for the head of the ticket, Governor McKinley. His native town usually gives a Democratic majority of 175, but he carried it by 275 votes. The universal esteem in which he is held is largely due to his excellent principles and good habits, as well as to his recognized talents. Socially, he is a member of the K. of P., and the I.O.O.F. lodges, both of Perrysburg.
Commemorative Historical and Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio, J.H. Beers & Co., Chicago, 1897, pp. 545-6.