U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: ------------------------------------------------------------------- Baxter, John Frank (1866-1953) ------------------------------------------------------------------- Men of West Virginia, Volume II Biographical Publishing Company George Richmond, Pres.: C. R. Arnold, Sec'y and Treas. Chicago, Illinois, 1903 Pages 441-443 REV. JOHN FRANK BAXTER, son of Jacob and Saraphina (Shannon) Baxter, was born in Washington County, Tennessee, in 1866. His father, a descendant of an old Scotch family, was a native of Virginia. When a young man he went down into the Valley of Tennessee and purchased a farm upon which he has since lived for over half a century. Our subject's mother was born in Washington County, Tennessee, and is of Irish extraction. Her grandfather was born during the voyage between Ireland and America. By this union there were eight children born, five sons and three daughters; the three eldest — two daughters and one son — died in infancy; the other five are now living, — George W., pastor of a Congregational Church in Iowa; Elbridge J., an attorney-at-law at the county seat of Washington County, Tennessee; Rev. John Frank, the third member; William W., a Presbyterian minister in Kentucky: Lulu L. is at home. The highest aim and ambition of the parents was to secure a liberal education for their children. Both Jacob Baxter and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he has served as trustee for many years, and is also a trustee of Washington College, the oldest institution of learning in the State. He is a man of positive character and of firm principles. At the outbreak of the Rebellion, he was opposed to secession; he is now a conservative Democrat. He is hale and hearty at the good age of 86 years, his wife being 75 years old. The subject of this sketch was graduated from Washington College in the class of 1888, and from McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, Illinois, in 1891. Immediately after leaving the Seminary, he received a call to the Ravenswood Presbyterian Church and has since been its faithful pastor. Mr. Baxter was married June 17, 1897, to Julia Curtis, of Ohio. During his labors in this field, the Ravenswood Church has expended over $2,000 in repairs, and a convenient chapel has been erected at a cost of $1,200. The church membership has been doubled. Rev. Mr. Baxter also has charge of the church at Spencer, the county seat of Roane County, where a new brick edifice is in course of construction, costing $4,000. He is recognized as a scholarly and sincere Christian gentleman. While loyal to his own church, his breadth of mind and catholic sympathy of heart make him charitable and loving towards all churches. Rev. Mr. Baxter is in close touch with the hearts of his people and the community at large, as the healthy growth and stability of his work bear evidence. His pastorate has been one of more than ordinary duration and has been attended with success. ------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: The birth year on death-certificate differs from the biography. ------------------------------------------------------------------- From Death Certificate, Cabell County, WV #8402 FULL-NAME: John Franklin Baxter BIRTH-DATE: December 22, 1862 BIRTH-PLACE: Tenn. DEATH-DATE: July 12, 1953 (at 90 years of age) DEATH-PLACE: 1555-5th Avenue, Huntington, Cabell County, WV USUAL-RESIDENCE: 1555-5th Avenue, Huntington, Cabell County, WV MARITAL-STATUS: Married OCCUPATION: Clergy FATHER: Jacob Baxter MOTHER: Saraphina Shannon CAUSE-OF-DEATH: Uremia / Nephrosclerosis INFORMANT: Mrs. J. F. Baxter (wife) BURIAL: Woodmere Cemetery ------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other biographies for Cabell County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/cabell/bios.html -------------------------------------------------------------------