John L. Baird

John L. Baird was born on October 12, 1857 in Lafayette County, Wisconsin. About 1876 he went to Deadwood where he established a telephone system in the Black Hills. About 1884 he moved to northeastern Wyoming and over time engaged in various ranching, business and banking enterprises. Active in the Republican Party, Baird was county treasurer of Crook County, county treasurer of Weston County, Newcastle city councilman, and state senator. He was elected State Treasurer in 1910 and served one term. In 1924, Baird moved to California where he spent the remaining years of his life. He died in Claremont, California on May 3, 1942.