Merced County Biographies
Ref: Pages 503-504
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 7/26/2009
JAMES CAMPBELL BAXTER
Among the pioneers who helped make history after 1868 in California, and at the same time build up for posterity a heritage of a good name and a competence to start them out in the world, was the late James Campbell Baxter. He was born in Nova Scotia on March 19, 1841, the son of David and Helen (Waugh) Baxter, both born in Scotland, the former on March 30, 1799, and the latter on June 25, 1800. They were married on January 13, 1824, and raised their family on a farm. James C. attended the schools in his native province and farmed there until 1862, when he was united in marriage with Agnes Miller, who was born in Nova Scotia in 1842. He had decided he would come to California, where a brother, Robert Baxter, had already settled, and in 1868 he left his family in Nova Scotia and came via Panama, arriving in that year in San Joaquin County. He farmed near the present site of Tracy with ordinary results; also he and Lee Fancher worked together in the construction of the Central Pacific Railway when it was built into Stockton. In In 1871 Mr. Baxter came into Merced County and settled about twelve miles from Plainsburg, hauling the lumber for his first house from Dover, a point then reached by the steamers plying the San Joaquin River. He began to make headway and developed a ranch, equal to the best in the county.
In 1874 Mr. Baxter was joined by his wife and their two children, George W. and Margaret Ellen, who later became the wife of Ernest Kahl. In time the following children were added to the family circle: James Robert, David Andrew, Mary Agnes, Mabel Agnes, now in Oakland, John Jerdine and Harrison. Their oldest child, named David, had died in Canada. Mrs. Baxter passed to her reward in 1891. Mr. Baxter continued to be a successful farmer and stockman in Merced County until 1900, when he retired to Oakland and there he passed away on December 17, 1924. He left to his heirs 3400 acres of as fine land as there is to be found in Merced County. Mr. Baxter was a Christian gentleman and endeared himself to all with whom he came in contact.
History of
MERCED COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
With A
Biographical Review
of
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified with Its Growth and Development
from the Early Days to the Present
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1925
Merced County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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