Biography - W. J. Baird, M.D.

W. J. BAIRD, M. D. Since locating in this parish Dr. Baird has shown himself eminently worthy of the confidence and trust reposed in him by all classes, and has proven himself to be a physician of decided merit. Unlike the majority of the boys of his day, he acquired more than a common-school education, and was given the advantages of Oakland College, his opportunities being thoroughly improved while in that institution, for from an early age he displayed an eagerness for study and a desire for a professional life. He was born at Port Gibson, Claiborne County, Miss., in 1840, and at the age of twenty years turned his attention to the study of medicine, his preceptor being Dr. Medlet, but from 1859 to 1861 he attended the Missouri Medical College of St. Louis, graduating in the latter year, after which he almost immediately joined the Confederate army, being assigned to duty as assistant surgeon of the Army of Tennessee, remaining in the service thus actively employed until nearly the close of the war, when he was taken prisoner, and for nearly one year was retained at Alton, Ill. After his release he commenced practicing at Franklin, Mo., but in 1868 came to Shreveport, La., and a short time after to Rocky Mount, then Red Land, where he has deservedly built up an extensive practice. His skill is too well known to comment upon, and his practice is very widespread and lucrative. His marriage with Miss Lucy Fulenwider, a young lady of finished education and high accomplishments was celebrated in 1872, she being a native of North Carolina, and to them three children have been born: Alive, Harry and William. His daughter Alice after spending the last two years in St. Vincent Convent, Shreveport, receiving premiums in all her studies, especially music, is now in school at Gadsden, Ala., and bids fair to prove herself one of the most learned of the Southern girls. The Doctor is a member of the State Medical Association, also the Bossier Parish Medical Society, and socially is a member of the K. of P., and in his political views is a Democrat.

Contributed 29 Aug 2020 by Norma Hass, extracted from Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana, published in 1890, page 125.