Margaret Scott Baird

The following is from a booklet titled "A Tribute", a funeral memorial for Margaret Scott Baird. This article was written by Belle Vinnedge Drake and Published in the Des Moines Capital, Wednesday, October 13, 1909.

Mrs. James Madison Shackleford recently celebrated her ninty-fifth birthday at her home on Woodland avenue in this city.

Only a few of the older families in Des Moines are privileged in knowing Mrs. James Madison Shackleford. Since her husband's death in 1872 she has lived practically in retirement, limiting herself chiefly to the old friends who have always sought the sunshire of her presence for the "sweetness and light" which it radiated. She recently celebrated her ninty-fifth birthday. Every faculty save that of sight is keen and alert. She insists upon hearing every bit of news in t he daily papers. Is alive to present day issues and responds with enthusiasm to its most progressive thought. She is almost totally blind from cataract, but her mind sees and her heart throbs with intense interest in the world's work. Her father and mother were Virginians, but she was born in Washington, Ky., September 18, 1814. Shortly after her birth her parents moved to Maysville, Ky., where she grew to womanhood and was married to James Mdison Shackleford, a young medical student, in 1832. Among the young people in their little circle of friends of that day was Alexander McClung, a nephew of Chief Justice Marshall. He later became famous as a great orator, the friend of Jefferson David and on the greatestduellists in the United States. The children of Gov. John Chambers, the second territorial governor of Iowa, were their intimate friends. Governor Chambers at that time lived in the little village. One of Mrs. Shackleford's treasures is on old autograph album, over eighty years old, in which Alexnader McClung wrote two stanzas of "The Boy Stood on the Burning Deck," with a little prefatory paragraph explaining its origin. It was then new and his young heart was so thrilled with its fine heroism that he inscribed it in her album. They lived for over twenty-five years in Portsmouth, O., where the doctor practiced his profession and was the idol of the country roundabout. They dispensed hospitality with a lavish hand. The doctor, despite his reckless generosity, or, maybe, because of it, accumulated a large amount of property and came to Iowa in 1869. He invested largely in farm land and expected to retire from his profession, but a committee composed of a large number of prominent citizens headed by General Tuttle, B.F. Allen, Judge Cadady and other well-known pioneers waited upon him and urged him to continue. At the end of three years he passed away, loved, honored and widely known. Mrs. Shackleford was the true helpmeet and inspiration for this good man. Their fine old home on West Locust street, situated where the Shackleford block and Unique theater now stand, with the Judge Byron Rice home just opposite, was the scene of whole souled and generous entertainment and good cheer. It was the rendevous of the city's best social life as well as the refuge of the homeless and needy. Three children only - James, Clarke and Margaret - of the large family of nine are living. Miss Margaret has devoted her life to loving service for her mother. The relation has been a beautiful on such as potes and novelists dream about, but few have seen realized. In her early days Mrs. Shackleford was a gifted singer and was also skilled at the piano. She was a beautiful dancer, vivacious, sparkling and quick at repartee - all the charming traits of the famous Kenucky belles of an early day. Her quick wit once roused the ire of Alexander McClung, who inscribed a little original poem in her autograph album as penance therefor. Autograph albums were quite the proper thing in those days, every young woman of elegance possessed one. About five yeras ago she received a visit from the daughter of her bridesmaid of seventy-five years before, a Mrs. Hendron, who married the nephew of Mrs. J.S. Polk of this city. While paying a visit to Mrs. Polk she called to pay her repsects to her mother's friend of the old Kentucky days. The occasion brought up memories the recounting of which was both humorous and touching. For Mrs. Shackleford always summons laughter to chase the tears away. This is the dear little old lady with silky, silvery white hair, kind, gentle, loving and bright, who is nearing the century mark at her home, 1434 Woodland avenue.

The following is also from "A Tribute".

MRS. Shackleford
(Sunday, March 6, 1910.)

Mrs. Margaret Scott Shackleford, aged 95, a pioneer resident of Des Moines, died yesterday at 1 o'clock at her home, 1434 Woodland avenue. She was sick but a short time before her death, which was caused by bronchial pneumonia.

Mrs. Shackleford was born in Kentucky, coming to Des Moines in 1869. She is survived by three children, Clarke Shackleford of Omaha, Neb., and Margaret and C.J. Shackleford of Des Moines.

The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon at 3:30. All friends are invited. No flowers.