Union Cemetery

Baxter, James Henry

BORN: 1844
DIED: 9/2/1936
AGED: 92

ADDRESS: 1453 Jefferson Ave, RC
OCCUPATION: Veterinary Surgeon
MEMBER OF: GAR

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CURRENT EVENTS:
  • 1845 Texas annexed into U.S.
  • 1846 Mexican-American War
  • 1849 California Gold Rush
  • 1850 California became the 31st State
  • 1860 The Pony Express
  • 1861 Abraham Lincoln elected President
  • 1861 American Civil War
  • 1865 Abraham Lincoln assassinated
  • 1866 Ku Klux Klan
  • 1869 National Woman Suffrage Assoc.
  • 1871 The Great Chicago Fire
  • 1876 Telephones (Alexander Graham Bell)
  • 1876 Baseball's National League
  • 1877 Phonograph (Thomas Edison)
  • 1879 Light Bulb (Thomas Edison)
  • 1901 Teddy Roosevelt elected President
  • 1903 First powered flight (Wright Brothers)
  • 1906 The San Francisco Earthquake
  • 1912 The Titanic sank
  • 1920 Prohibition begins
  • 1920 Women get to vote
  • 1920 The Roaring 20's
  • 1927 'Grand Ole Opry' show on Radio
  • 1928 Steamboat Willie (Disney)
  • 1930 Radios in Cars
  • 1930 Serial Shows on Radio
OBITUARY ---------------

JAMES HENRY BAXTER

Times

September 3, 1936

CIVIL WAR VETERAN DIES

One of Two Living Boys in Blue of Redwood City Passes

Ever thinning ranks of the Grand Army of the Republic today mourned the passing of another of t heir comrades. Dr. James Henry Baxter, 91, Civil war veteran, retired veterinarian, and father of James Henry Baxter of 245 Myrtle Road, Burlingame.

Dr. Baxter, one of Redwood City's two remaining members of the "Boys in Blue," dropped dead yesterday while dressing in his bedroom at the home of another son, Roy, at 1453 Jefferson Avenue, with home t he veteran had resided for several years.

Was 91 in August

A hear attack caused death. Hale and hearty despite his great age, Dr. Baxter suffered no last illness. Only August2 he had celebrated his 91st birthday anniversary, surrounded by members of his family.

His demise left George H. Snow of 715 Cassia street, who will be 90 on September 28, as the city's sole remaining Civil war veteran.

The Rev. C.H.Gatchell of Redwood City Firt Baptist church eulogized the old soldier at services held this afternoon from the chapel of Layng & Tinney. A crisp American flag decked the coffin as Dr. Baxter was borne to his final reasting place in the G. A. R. plot at Union Cemetery

Three Sons Survive

Surviving are three other sons, Charles of Minnesota, William and Wesley Baxter, both living in Iowa, and one daughter, Miss. Nora Baxter of Fresno. Dr. Baxter's wife died many years ago, and six other children predeceased their father.

The veteran was born in Maryland in 1845. When war borke out between the north and the south, Dr. Baxter, then 18, joined Pennsylvania's 85th regiment and served two years as a drummer boy.

He took part in many of the great battles, including the decisive Battle of Gettsyburg, in which he served under General Hooker. A scar which he bore on the back of his neck was inflicted in a sword fight with a Confederate soldier at Gettysburg.

30 Years in State

Dr. Baxter, who was slightly stooped and hard of hearing in his last years, had resided here since 1930. He came to California with his wife and family thirty years ago, and at the age of 80 entered into the realty business at Selma. He was also a veterinary surgeon, which profession he followed for many years.

Not long ago Dr. Baxter and Snow got together and swapped war reminiscenses. Snow, a member of New Jersey's Fortieth imfantry, nearly lost his life in the last battle of St. Petersburg, when a Confederate bullet creased his head. Snow saw President Lincoln and General Grant riding side by side. Following the Civil war he engaged for three years in the Indian campaigns.

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