Baird, Julian

Variant names

Dates:

Active 1943

Active 2006

Birth 1892

Death 1977

Biographical notes:

Julian Braden Baird was born November 15, 1892 and grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota. Baird first attended Webster School before moving on to Central High School in 1906. In 1910 he entered the University of Minnesota and attended classes there for one year. Baird then transferred to Yale University-Sheffield Scientific School of New Haven, Connecticut where, in 1915, he received a PhB.

Baird started his professional career in 1915 when he was hired at National City Bank of New York. While in New York, Baird met his future wife, Helen Hall, whom he married on November 29, 1916. They had three children: Duncan, John, and Jane. Baird's professional career was put on hold in 1918 when he enlisted in the Army. During his short military career (lasting one year) he rose to second lieutenant of the field artillery at Camp Funston.

After being honorably discharged from the army in 1919, Baird returned to St. Paul. He worked for a year at the National City Bank Company in St. Paul and then, in 1920, was hired by a branch of the First National Bank of St. Paul. He rose rapidly in the ranks of First National and was appointed president in 1945. Nine years after that Baird became chairman of the board. He resigned from his position on September 10, 1957 to accept the position of Undersecretary of the Treasury for Monetary Affairs in the Eisenhower administration. His main duty as undersecretary was debt management. He was also concerned with such issues as balance of payments and the value of the dollar in the world market. Baird held his position as undersecretary until John F. Kennedy took office in 1961. Baird then retired to his home at Sunfish Lake in Dakota County. On November 26, 1977, he died at the age of 85, having moved to St. Paul a short time before his death.

John Braden Baird was born July 20, 1924 in St. Paul. He attended the University of Minnesota before he enlisted in the army in September 1942 and entered active service as an aerial gunner in the Army Air Force in 1943. He flew ten missions over Northern France and Germany and was awarded the Purple Heart for woulds he received in action over Cologne, Germany on October 15, 1944. Following this incident Baird was sent to Bushnell General Hospital in Brigham City, Utah, to recuperate. Baird received an honorable discharge from the army in March of 1945, ending with the rank of staff sergeant.

Duncan Hall Baird was born in 1917 and served in the United States Naval Reserve during World War II.

From the guide to the Julian Baird and family papers., 1943-2006 (bulk 1943-1979)., (Minnesota Historical Society)