“As a physician, banker, promoter of industries and organizer of important commercial interest, his [Dr. S. A. Baxter’s] life has been one of untiring industry, business sagacity and unquestioning uprightness.”[1]
This quote from History of Allen County, Ohio and Representative Citizens was in a chapter titled “Three Useful Lives,” and the quote above refers to Dr. S. A. Baxter.[2] Dr. Baxter was even one of the editors of History of Allen County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, a helpful book we still reference often for Allen County’s History.[3] In this article, we will follow Dr. Baxter’s industrious life—beginning with his childhood followed by his medical studies and service in the Civil War. Dr. Baxter would go on to become quite a successful financier and participate in several integral businesses in Lima. Likewise, Baxter held political ambitions, and we will examine his tenure as Mayor of Lima. Lastly, we will discuss his philanthropic work and the conclusion of his life. Dr. Samuel A. Baxter dedicated a significant portion of his time to expanding Lima and enhancing its industries and financial stability.
Samuel Alexander Baxter was born on October 26, 1839, to Samuel Alexander Baxter Sr. and Nancy Miranda Meason Baxter.[4] The Baxters had been one of the first pioneers in the area.[5] They lived in a log cabin that stood where the Metzger Block was, or the 200s Block on South Main Street where Old City Prime is today.[6] Dr. Baxter came by his business acumen honestly, because S. A. Baxter Sr. was also a hardworking and ambitious man. Baxter Sr. started as a furrier and a hatter, then was Postmaster, studied and became a lawyer, sold real estate, and was elected mayor of Lima in 1854.[7] Dr. Baxter always attributed his own success in life to his “wise father and devoted mother.”[8] From his youth, Baxter Sr. and Mrs. Baxter planned for Dr. Baxter’s education in medicine.[9] He would be one of four students to graduate from Lima High School in 1856, the first senior class.[10] Dr. Baxter promptly began his study with Dr. William J. Harper of Lima and later also apprenticed under Dr. J. Dawson of Columbus.[11] He would graduate with his medical degree in 1863 from the Cincinnati Medical College.[12] Thus, began Dr. Baxter’s life journey.
Graduating with his medical degree in 1863, Dr. Baxter was placed immediately in the Union Army during the Civil War.[13] He was given a commission directly from Hon. Edwin M. Staton, the Secretary of War, and John Brough, the Governor of Ohio, to serve in the 18th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.[14] This was the unit commanded by Dr. Baxter’s childhood friend, General Charles Grosvenor.[15] Later in the Civil War, he would serve as the Assistant Medical Director of the Department of Georgia under Gen. James B. Steedman, before being promoted to Acting Medical Director.[16] When the Civil War ended, Dr. Baxter went back to Lima to practice medicine.[17] In 1866, he married Deborah Ellison, and they had four sons: Frank, Don, Clement, and Frederick.[18] They lived in the Baxter Block on North Main Street, just north of Joey’s in the 100 block, and Baxter had his doctor’s office there as well.[19] In 1867, the Allen County Medical Society was born and Baxter was one of the inaugural members.[20] All of his practice during the Civil War came in handy when a large small pox outbreak occurred in Lima and he was appointed as health officer.[21] It was recounted by many that Dr. Baxter would nurse the sick and even bury the dead by himself in order to not expose others to the disease.[22] Because of his competency and empathy, Dr. Baxter found himself in high demand even outside of Allen County after the small pox outbreak ended.[23] Adjoining towns requested his council, and he was made surgeon for several local railroad companies.[24]
Dr. Baxter’s would retire from his medical practice as his business acumen soon took precedence.[25] Unfortunately, there were contradictory dates given for when he retired from being a doctor. In one Allen County history, it was stated that he retired only five years after starting his practice in Lima, which would be around 1870 or 1871.[26] Another account gave the year 1874.[27] Perhaps they are both correct, maybe Dr. Baxter stepped back significantly in 1870 or 1871, but then fully retired as a doctor in 1874. However, even without the exact date, we can glean that by the mid-1870s, Dr. Baxter was no longer a practicing physician. However, he was still called upon as a doctor throughout the years. He would also serve as a Trustee of several mental health institutions[28] in Ohio.[29] Specifically as a President and Secretary of the Board of Trustees for the Toledo Institute and in some capacity for the Dayton Institute as well.[30] Likewise, it seems as though he had a lifetime seat on the Lima Board of Health.[31] In 1897, when there was a diphtheria scare, Baxter was one of the members who made decisions on the quarantine status.[32] Although Dr. Baxter made a name for himself in the world of medicine, he was drawn to other types of business and made them his life long career.
Banking was the first business that pulled Dr. Baxter away from being a doctor. He had the brains for finance and began by organizing the Commercial Savings Bank of Bluffton with his brother A. C. Baxter.[33] Later, that bank would become the City Bank of Lima, and it was one of the most successful banks in Northwest Ohio for some time.[34] The First National Bank, also of Lima, was organized in 1872; Dr. Baxter was one of the directors.[35] He became the president of the First National Bank almost from the start and was connected to that bank for seventeen years.[36] until Dr. Baxter and his sons established the Commercial Bank in 1895. It was better known as S. A. Baxter & Sons.[37] An early advertisement for the bank, pictured below, expanded on what they offered, “Government, State, County, Municipal and School Bonds, Real Estate Mortgage, Commercial Paper Bank and Industrial Stocks bought and sold.”[38] Seemingly, it ran the whole gambit of one’s banking needs. S. A. Baxter & Sons would be in business until the end of 1904 when Dr. Baxter and his sons decided to retire.[39] They sold it to Col. I. T. Moore and H. M. Moore.[40] By that time, Dr. Baxter had been in the banking business for around thirty years, and the newspaper highlighted that the people of Lima were sad to see him retire.[41] He had not only made himself a lot of money, but those who banked with him had done well too.[42] Being a financier was Dr. Baxter’s steadiest and longest career, but he dabbled in many industries throughout his life.
It was through banking that Dr. Baxter met several of his associates with whom he would create several businesses. These fellows included Calvin S. Brice, Benjamin C. Faurot, Theodore Mayo, James Irvine, and several others. One of the larger endeavors Dr. Baxter was involved in was the Lima Natural Gas Company.[43] The company started in 1870; it ran a pipeline and set up an artificial gas plant in Lima.[44] Dr. Baxter was the Vice President and the Secretary at different points, and both Brice and Mayo were involved in this business.[45] They grew the whole areas use of gas for both domestic services and lighting the city, and would run the company until they sold it in 1888.[46] Likewise, Dr. Baxter was also connected to the street railroad in Lima.[47] He was known to often take the horsedrawn car, and was an enthusiastic investor in the electric street cars with Faurot.[48] With Brice again, Dr. Baxter was an organizer and board member of the Lima Car Company.[49] He was one of the largest shareholders, and survived with it even after they had to buy it out again under the umbrella of the Lafayette Car Works in 1888.[50] Then Brice and Dr. Baxter would sell off the car works company lot to Lima Locomotive Works.[51] With his colleagues Brice and Irvine, Dr. Baxter participated in incorporating Lima Bagging Company in August 1882.[52] They purchased an earlier bagging works and expanded it immensely.[53] It was unclear as to what products the company bagged for retail, but as a group they made it more profitable. Dr. Baxter was also connected to the Ohio Egg Case Company as of November 1884, which made egg cartons.[54] He was one of the directors along with Irvine and many other individuals of this egg packaging company.[55] Thus, many of the companies Dr. Baxter was associated with grew out of his connections to other financiers in Lima.
Although many of Dr. Baxter’s corporations were connected to his banking associates, he had a few endeavors that were his alone. Dr. Baxter was the sole owner of the Enterprise Stave Company.[56] A company not much could be found out about, but undoubtedly was centered around creating wood planks, or staves, for building. He was also known to be a significant reason that the Lake Erie & Western shops were built in Lima.[57] Likewise, that the Chicago & Erie and Ohio Southern Railroads were built through Lima.[58] He lobbied and aided these railroads and shops to help industrialize Lima and create more jobs for his city.[59] Dr. Baxter was elected as the Treasurer of the Board of Directors for the Allen County Mutual Fire Insurance Company.[60] He invested time and his skills into Western Mining Interests.[61] Likewise, he helped write and edit The History of Allen County and Representative Citizens with Dr. Charles C. Miller.[62] Specifically, Dr. Baxter wrote the chapter titled “Reminisce,” which told stories from the beginning of Allen County’s history.[63] This is probably not an exhaustive list of Dr. Baxter’s business connections and side jobs, but shows how well connected he was to the heartbeat of industry in Allen County.
With his connection to all things Allen County, it was not surprising that Dr. Baxter stepped into the politics of Lima. He was a part of the Lima Board of Trade.[64] This group tried to make Lima a place where businesses wanted to build their manufacturing plants and worked to incentivize those companies.[65] It did not always work out, in 1890, the Standard Steele and Pipe Works company had a proposal for moving to Lima.[66] Unfortunately, they wanted $100,000 and 40 acres to build a plant there, and even though Dr. Baxter thought the company was strong he knew Lima could not uphold what the company wanted.[67] Some of the other board members tried to negotiate with the company, but in the end the board of trade could not extend the offer to the company.[68] Dr. Baxter was a Democrat like his business associate Calvin Brice, and was a part of the local Democratic Leaders group, specifically in the programming committee for meetings.[69] In 1896, Dr. Baxter was voted in as the Mayor of Lima, and would be in office until 1898.[70] He submitted his policy as the new mayor to the city council in April 1896, and it was noted as being an impressive business document.[71] The newspaper reported about it, “The message carries with it the firm impression that the affairs of this city are to have the proper supervision; that all matters affecting the taxpayer are not to be left to the caprice of a member or members of council with axes to grind.”[72] Just like his businesses, Dr. Baxter was going to run the city on a tight leash with a focus on integrity. During his time in office, the newspapers had very few negative things to say about him. They praised him instead for putting Lima first and unrelentingly trying to build up the economy.[73] One of the biggest fights of Dr. Baxter’s time as the Mayor of Lima was to get Pennsylvania Company to build a manufacturing shop in Lima.[74] The news article makes it seem as though the Pennsylvania Co. had taken the money Dr. Baxter and the city had invested in them to move to Lima, but the company prolonged the actual move as long as possible.[75] It was uncertain from further research as to whether they ever did open a manufacturing plant in Lima. However, both Dr. Baxter and the citizens of Lima were no longer fans of the company by 1897.[76] After Dr. Baxter’s term ended as Mayor of Lima, he tried to run for Congress.[77] He lost to Robert Gordon and seemingly faded out of politics after that point.[78] In the end, it was Dr. Baxter’s love of Lima and desire to make it flourish that brought him into the political spectrum.
Dr. Baxter was connected to a multitude of industries but was best known to his neighbors as a philanthropist. He was known as one of the first supporters of Lima College.[79] After it was finally built, Dr. Baxter was one of the people who spoke during the dedication address.[80] From then until his passing, Dr. Baxter served on the Board of Lima College.[81] Similarly, he assisted in the purchasing of the land on which Lima Memorial Hospital was constructed.[82] He would be a member of the Hospital Society until he passed away.[83] It was stated multiple times that Dr. Baxter was a friend of the poor and sick and that the extent of his philanthropy would never be fully known because he was generous and quiet about it.[84] Additionally, it was noted that Dr. Baxter donated to churches he was not even connected to.[85] Dr. Baxter lived a life more concerned about the good of all than his recognition.
Overall, Dr. Samuel Baxter lived a hectic life as a doctor, businessman, mayor, and philanthropist. On January 5, 1908, while in surgery at the Christ Hospital Cincinnati, Dr. Baxter passed away.[86] It was not stated anywhere what the surgery was for or what had been ailing Dr. Baxter. He would be brought back to Lima to be buried that January.[87] The funeral was held at Trinity M. E. Church, with the burial at Woodlawn Cemetery.[88] The day of the funeral the businesses of Lima came to a halt.[89] Therefore, most of the citizens were able to pay their respects to their former mayor.[90] It was evident that Dr. Baxter was a beloved citizen of his city from all accounts and saw a great loss in his passing.[91] Dr. Samuel A. Baxter was astoundingly diligent in his careers, and he devoted a significant portion of his efforts to transforming Lima into a more prosperous and economically secure city.
Endnotes:
[1]“Three Useful Lives, Chapter XX,” in History of Allen County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, ed. Dr. Charles C. Miller and Dr. Samuel A. Baxter, Richmond & Arnold, Chicago, Ill., 1906, 336-337.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Baxter Family Tree Starting with Samuel Alex. Baxter Senior, in Baxter Family File in the Allen County Archives.
[5] Jeanne Porreca, “Lima’s Great Doctor,” Time Capsule in Our Generations Magazine, March 2006, in Baxter Family File in the Allen County Archives, 16.
[6] “Dr. Baxter” and “John R. Rakestraw Expert Watch Maker Advertisement,” The Times-Democrat, April 27, 1906, accessed May 22, 2025, https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll71/id/2858/.
[7] Jeanne Porreca, “Lima’s Great Doctor,” Time Capsule in Our Generations Magazine, March 2006, in Baxter Family File in the Allen County Archives, 16.
[8] Ibid.
[9] “Three Useful Lives, Chapter XX,” in History of Allen County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, ed. Dr. Charles C. Miller and Dr. Samuel A. Baxter, Richmond & Arnold, Chicago, Ill., 1906, 335.
[10] Jeanne Porreca, “Lima’s Great Doctor,” Time Capsule in Our Generations Magazine, March 2006, in Baxter Family File in the Allen County Archives, 16.
[11] Ibid.
[12] “Three Useful Lives, Chapter XX,” in History of Allen County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, ed. Dr. Charles C. Miller and Dr. Samuel A. Baxter, Richmond & Arnold, Chicago, Ill., 1906, 335
[13] Ibid.
[14] Ibid.
[15] Ibid.
[16] Ibid.
[17] Ibid.
[18] Baxter Family Tree Starting with Samuel Alex. Baxter Senior, in Baxter Family File in the Allen County Archives.
[19] “Dr. Baxter” and Greg Hoerston “Reminisce: Lima’s Downtwon in Pioneer Days,” The Lima News, June 18, 2024, accessed May 22, 2025, https://www.limaohio.com/top-stories/2024/06/18/reminisce-limas-downtown-in-pioneer-days/.
[20] Jeanne Porreca, “Lima’s Great Doctor,” Time Capsule in Our Generations Magazine, March 2006, in Baxter Family File in the Allen County Archives, 16.
[21] “Three Useful Lives, Chapter XX,” in History of Allen County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, ed. Dr. Charles C. Miller and Dr. Samuel A. Baxter, Richmond & Arnold, Chicago, Ill., 1906, 335
[22] Ibid.
[23] Ibid.
[24] Ibid.
[25] “Dr. Baxter,” in Baxter Family File in the Allen County Archives.
[26] “History of Allen County, Ohio,” Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1885, 681.
[27] “Dr. Baxter,” in Baxter Family File in the Allen County Archives.
[28] Known at the time as insane asylums.
[29] “Three Useful Lives, Chapter XX,” in History of Allen County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, ed. Dr. Charles C. Miller and Dr. Samuel A. Baxter, Richmond & Arnold, Chicago, Ill., 1906, 336.
[30] “About the Village,” Lima Daily Times, April 20, 1892, accessed May 21, 2025, https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8016/images/NEWS-OH-LI_DA_TI.1892_04_20_0005 and “Three Useful Lives, Chapter XX,” in History of Allen County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, ed. Dr. Charles C. Miller and Dr. Samuel A. Baxter, Richmond & Arnold, Chicago, Ill., 1906, 336.
[31] “The Health Board,” The Times Democrat, November 29, 1897, accessed May 20, 2025, https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8207/images/NEWS-OH-TH_TI_DE.1897_11_29_0003.
[32]Ibid.
[33] “S. A. Baxter & Sons Retire from Banking Business,” Republican Gazette, 1904, in Baxter Family File in the Allen County Archives.
[34] “Three Useful Lives, Chapter XX,” in History of Allen County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, ed. Dr. Charles C. Miller and Dr. Samuel A. Baxter, Richmond & Arnold, Chicago, Ill., 1906, 335-336.
[35] “The First National Bank Advertisement,” Lima Daily News, February 17, 1890, accessed May 20, 2025, https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8016/images/NEWS-OH-LI_DA_TI.1890_02_17_0002 and Jeanne Porreca, “Lima’s Great Doctor,” Time Capsule in Our Generations Magazine, March 2006, in Baxter Family File in the Allen County Archives, 16.
[36] “S. A. Baxter & Sons Retire from Banking Business,” Republican Gazette, 1904, in Baxter Family File in the Allen County Archives.
[37] Ibid.
[38] “The Commercial Investment Bank, Samuel A. Baxter & Sons,” Lima Times Democrat, April 2, 1895, accessed May 15, 2025, https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8018/images/NEWS-OH-LI_TI_DE.1895_04_02_0003.
[39] “S. A. Baxter & Sons Retire from Banking Business,” Republican Gazette, 1904, in Baxter Family File in the Allen County Archives.
[40] Ibid.
[41] Ibid.
[42] Ibid.
[43] L. M. Tomlinson, “Industry,” in The 1976 History of Allen County, Ohio, ed. John R. Carnes, Unigraphic Inc., Evansville, IN, 1976, 166.
[44] “A Standard History of Allen County, Ohio,” ed. William Rusler, The American Historical Society: Chicago and New York, 1921, 398.
[45] L. M. Tomlinson, “Industry,” in The 1976 History of Allen County, Ohio, ed. John R. Carnes, Unigraphic Inc., Evansville, IN, 1976, 166 and “A Standard History of Allen County, Ohio,” ed. William Rusler, The American Historical Society: Chicago and New York, 1921, 398.
[46] “A Standard History of Allen County, Ohio,” ed. William Rusler, The American Historical Society: Chicago and New York, 1921, 398.
[47] Greg Hoersten, “Reminisce: Decade of the Lima Car Works,” Lima News, January 23, 2024, accessed February 26, 2025, https://www.limaohio.com/top-stories/2024/01/23/reminisce-decade-of-the-lima-car-works/.
[48] Ibid.
[49] Jeanne Porreca, “Lima’s Great Doctor,” Time Capsule in Our Generations Magazine, March 2006, in Baxter Family File in the Allen County Archives, 16.
[50] Greg Hoersten, “Reminisce: Decade of the Lima Car Works,” Lima News, January 23, 2024, accessed February 26, 2025, https://www.limaohio.com/top-stories/2024/01/23/reminisce-decade-of-the-lima-car-works/.
[51] Ibid.
[52] “History of Allen County, Ohio,” Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1885, 510.
[53] Ibid.
[54] Ibid., 511.
[55] Ibid.
[56] Jeanne Porreca, “Lima’s Great Doctor,” Time Capsule in Our Generations Magazine, March 2006, in Baxter Family File in the Allen County Archives, 16.
[57] “Three Useful Lives, Chapter XX,” in History of Allen County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, ed. Dr. Charles C. Miller and Dr. Samuel A. Baxter, Richmond & Arnold, Chicago, Ill., 1906, 336.
[58] Ibid.
[59] Ibid.
[60] “AC. M. I. Co Election,” Allen County Democrat, January 12, 1882, accessed May 22, 2025, https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8013/images/NEWS-OH-AL_CO_DE.1882_01_12_0008.
[61] “Dr. Baxter,” in Baxter Family File in the Allen County Archives.
[62] History of Allen County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, ed. Dr. Charles C. Miller and Dr. Samuel A. Baxter, Richmond & Arnold, Chicago, Ill., 1906.
[63] Ibid.
[64] “A Factory Fizzle,” Lima Daily News, March 13, 1890, accessed May 22, 2025, https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8017/images/NEWS-OH-LI_DA_NE.1890_03_13_0003.
[65] Ibid.
[66] Ibid.
[67] Ibid.
[68] Ibid.
[69] “A Sycamore Gum,” Lima Daily News, November 9, 1892, accessed May 21, 2025, https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8016/images/NEWS-OH-LI_DA_TI.1892_11_09_0004.
[70] Frank Hackman, “City and County Organization,” in The 1976 History of Allen County, Ohio, ed. John R. Carnes, Unigraphic Inc., Evansville, IN, 1976, 8-9.
[71] “The Mayor’s Message,” The Times Democrat, April 21, 1896, accessed May 22, 2025, https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8207/images/NEWS-OH-TH_TI_DE.1896_04_21_0004.
[72] Ibid.
[73] “Strike While the Iron is Hot Advises Mayor Baxter,” The Times Democrat, October 27, 1897, accessed May 21, 2025, https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8207/images/NEWS-OH-TH_TI_DE.1897_10_27_0008.
[74] Ibid.
[75] Ibid.
[76] Ibid.
[77] “Gordon the Man,” The Lima News, May 24, 1898, accessed May 20, 2025, https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7751/images/NEWS-OH-LI_NE.1898_05_24_0008.
[78] Ibid.
[79] “The College Question,” Lima Daily News, July 25, 1889, accessed May 21, 2025, https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8017/images/NEWS-OH-LI_DA_NE.1889_07_25_0004.
[80] “Dedication,” Lime Times Democrat, September 27, 1894, accessed May 21, 2025, https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8018/images/NEWS-OH-LI_TI_DE.1894_09_27_0001.
[81] “Three Useful Lives, Chapter XX,” in History of Allen County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, ed. Dr. Charles C. Miller and Dr. Samuel A. Baxter, Richmond & Arnold, Chicago, Ill., 1906, 337.
[82] Jeanne Porreca, “Lima’s Great Doctor,” Time Capsule in Our Generations Magazine, March 2006, in Baxter Family File in the Allen County Archives, 16.
[83] Ibid.
[84] “Three Useful Lives, Chapter XX,” in History of Allen County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, ed. Dr. Charles C. Miller and Dr. Samuel A. Baxter, Richmond & Arnold, Chicago, Ill., 1906, 337.
[85] Ibid.
[86] Tyrel Linkhorn, “A Man of Many Talents: Dr. Baxter Made an Impression,” Reminisce, Lima News, November 4, 2009, in Baxter Family File in the Allen County Archives. and “Baxter Home,” The Lima Daily News, January 7, 1908, accessed May 15, 2025, https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8017/images/NEWS-OH-LI_DA_NE.1908_01_07_0006.
[87] “City Offices Closed and Business in General was Suspended During the Morning Hours,” Lima Daily News, January 8, 1908, accessed May 15, 2025, https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8017/images/NEWS-OH-LI_DA_NE.1908_01_08_0001.
[88] Ibid.
[89] Ibid.
[90] Tyrel Linkhorn, “A Man of Many Talents: Dr. Baxter Made an Impression,” Reminisce, Lima News, November 4, 2009, in Baxter Family File in the Allen County Archives.
[91] Ibid.
Photo Credit:
C.M. Bell, “Brice, Hon. C.S.,” [between January 1891 and January 1894], LC-DIG-bellcm-03000, accessed March 18, 2025, https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2016690451/.
All other images are from the Allen County Archives.
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