Tracy Baxter

Tracy Baxter

• Father: John Spring Baxter b. circa 1833
• Mother: Matilda Caroline Tracy b. circa 1836

• Tracy Baxter was born on 17 September 1860 in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia.
• Harriet Charlotte Tracy appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia. Other members of the household included Tracy Baxter, Rebecca Caroline Campbell.
• The following appeared on 12 November 1872 in The Georgia Weekly Telegraph: (Bibb County) Whereas, John S. Baxter applies to be discharged from the guardianship of Tracy Baxter: This is to notify all parties in interest to be and appear at the Court of Ordinary on the first Monday in February, 1873, to show cause, if any they have, why letters should not be granted the applicant. Given under my hand officially. C. T. Ward, Ordinary.
• The following appeared on 26 May 1886 in The Macon Telegraph: In the New York World of Sunday is found a statement that Agnes Ethel, the well known actress, is made wealthy by her husband's death. Her husband was Francis W. Tracy, was a nephew of Judge Edward D. Tracey, who lived in Macon. Major Phil Tracey, son of Judge Tracey, was about the same age of Francis, Jr., and they were very fond of each other. When the Major was killed at Sharpsburg, during the war, he went after the body and had it buried in New York, where it still reposes. Because of his friendship and relationship, the surviving members of the Tracey family in Macon were so handsomely remembered.
       The following is from the World:
       "Agnes Ethel, who created such a sensation on the American stage some years ago, and who has since lived in retirement, is, by the will of her late husband, Francis W. Tracy, left a millionairess. Mr. Tracy died at his residence in Buffalo on April 21, leaving a fortune of about $3,000,000. His nearest relatives were his widow and Miss Harriett F. Tracy, a daughter by his first wife. . . . Among the remaining private bequests are the following: To William Shelton the income of $40,000 so long as he lives; to Anna Tracy Tracy, daughters of Edward D. Tracy, his uncle, each $30,009 [sic]; to the two daughters of his cousin, Edward D Tracy, late of Macon, Ga, $15,000 each, and to Tracy Baxter, of Macon, Ga., $15,000."
• The following appeared on 29 December 1891 in The Macon Telegraph: [fraught with errors] With the death of Mrs. Edward D. Tracey, which occurred Monday at the home of her son-in-law, Dr. John S. Baxter, another old resident and respected lady of this city has passed to the other side.
       . Mrs. Tracey was the widow of the late Hon. E. D. Tracey, who was mayor of the city of Macon forty-five years ago and a most distinguished citizen, who did much for the city during his terms of office and in his private life.
       The deceased lady, who at the time of her death was over 80 years old, was one of the most estimable of her sex, and in her more active days was ever foremost in the works which redound today to the credit of her name and the city which she loved so well. She was the mother of Brigadier General Edward D. Tracey and of Major Philip Tracey, both of whom where killed during the war in the service of the Confederacy, and were distinguished soldiers throughout their too short service. The former, Gen. E. D. Tracey, was the only Brigadier-General in the Confederate service whom Macon could claim as her own. Major Philip Tracey was killed at the battle of Gettysburg while with the Sixth Georgia regiment. Both were and even now are counted among the most brilliant orators and conversationalists that Macon and the State of Georgia have honored.
       Mrs. Tracey was the mother of Mrs. William B. Johnson, and the grandmother of Hon. Tracey Baxter, Mrs. George Duncan and Mrs. W. H. Felton. She leaves behind her only two children, Mrs. William B. Johnson and Miss Hattie Tracey.
       Old residents of Macon will find much in the history of the deceased lady to bring them back to the days of long ago.
• He married Willie D. Tinsley, daughter of T. D. Tinsley and Emma Ragland, on 7 October 1896.
• Tracy Baxter died on 11 June 1900 at age 39 in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia.
• His wife Willie D. Tinsley became a widow at his death.
• He was buried at Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia.
• The following appeared on 12 June 1900 in The Macon Telegraph: Died, at his residence in this city, yesterday afternoon, Tracy Baxter, aged 39 years. Friends of the family are invited to attend his funeral from his late residence on Bond street, this (Tuesday) afternoon, at 2:30 o'clock. Interment at Rose Hill.
• The following appeared on 7 November 1900 in The Macon Telegraph: In the superior court yesterday the business of the session was adjourned, and a fitting memorial of Tracy Baxter was entered into by the members of the bar.
       Resolutions were presented to the court by Mr. Hugh Washington, upon which he offered a laudation. The resolutions were seconded by Mr. S. A. Reid, who made a graceful speech and he was followed by Messrs. Minter Wimberly, DuPont Guerry and Marion Harris, after which Judge Felton responded for the court.
       The resolutions in part were as follows:
       Mr. Chairman and Brethren of the Bar: In the broadest wisdom and truest philosophy death is not to be looked upon as a calamity to him who passes from the travails of life to the beyond, but when it comes in its appointed time, loosening the silver cord that binds the immortal spirit of man to mortality, it is rather the crown of life.
       Yet such are the ties that bind man to man, and such the affection of the human heart for those with whom we have walked and had fellowship, that our hearts and thoughts are overcast when our friends and associates are called from familiar scenes and ushered in to that existence which shall be measured only by eternity itself.
       It is a beautiful and fitting custom of the bar to pay memorial honors to a departed brother, and herein this forum where so many of the honored and gifted sons of Georgia have gone in and out in the discharge of their professional duties, and received the last token of respect and affection from their legal comrades, we come this day to devote a memorial hour to our deceased brother, Tracy Baxter.
       Tracy Baxter was born in Macon, Ga., on the 17th day of September, 1860. On both his mother's and father's side he was descended from old and highly respected Georgia families. His father was the late Dr. John S. Baxter, who served the Confederacy as a surgeon, and was long an esteemed and valued citizen of Macon, who endeared himself to this community by his generosity, his integrity of character, and unfailing courtesy of manner towards all with whom he came in contact. His mother was Miss Mathilda Caroline Tracy, the daughter of Judge Edward D. Tracy, who presided over this circuit more than fifty years ago.
       Tracy Baxter was favored in many ways, with good connections, he had inherited also a bright mind, his parents and family were people of large means, he was among them also a favorite, and every advantage that these could bestow were his in large measure.
       He attended Mercer University at Macon for two years, and going from there to Oxford, he was graduated from Emory College in 1879. Having completed his academic course he went to the University of Virginia and enjoyed the advantages of that famous school of law, graduating after the usual period of two years with the degree of bachelor of law in 1882.
       Shortly after his return to Macon he was admitted to the bar here and formed a copartnership for the practice of his profession with the present judge of this court, Hon. W. H. Felton, which partnership continued until 1888.
       In 1888 he was elected city recorder and served two years, and in 1890 he was elected to represent Bibb county in the state legislature where he served two years, after which he was not a candidate for re-election, nor was he again a candidate for any other office.
       In February, 1896, he formed a partnership with Mr. S. A. Reid for the practice of law, which partnership was never formally dissolved. On October 7th, 1896, he was married to Miss Willie D. Tinsley, the daughter of our fellow-townsman, Mr. T. D. Tinsley, and in the summer of 1897, accompanied by his wife, he passed in European travel, visiting many of the interesting cities and scenes of Europe.
       For a year previous to the 11th of June, 1900, Mr. Baxter had been in failing health, and on that date he passed away at his home in this city.
       The possession of large means removed from our brother the necessity of that close and arduous application to the study of the law that is the necessary price that every master of the law must pay for his attainments. It was, therefore, of his own choosing that he did not become distinguished as a practitioner at the bar, for he was well schooled in the principle of the common law, that he possessed a very quick mind, almost instantly perceiving the conclusion of any hypothesis. But while he was thus competent to have made thorough mastery of the law, yet avoided its exacting requirements, he turned naturally to the vast domain of literature and from its well-springs drank to fullness.
       At college he learned easily, and there he acquired a fondness for literature that was an abiding passion with him until his death. His studies in the Greek and Latin classics shed a permanent influence on his literary tastes, and his conversation was frequently enriched (when among those like himself had been educated in the classics), with classical quotations and illusions [sic].
       His acquaintance with the older English poets and dramatists, such as Dryden, Pope, Chaucer and Spencer, was almost equally full and ready, as that with Tennyson, Browning and Swinburne. At one time he became interested in the modern schools of philosophy and read many of the books put out by German, English and French writers. In fiction he had read every notable book that had appeared in the last twenty years.
       He possessed a rare humor and kean and ready was his wit,
       "Which like a polished rabor keen,
       Cuts with a gash that hardly felt or seen."
       And yet this gift did not carry him beyond the bounds of friendliness and good will.
       The members of this bar attended his funeral in a body, and the large number of citizens well attested the number and attachment of his friends.
       Taken away while the warm blood of youth still filled his heart and mantled his brow, it seemed fitting that he should fallen asleep in the month of June, and have been laid to rest beneath the green turf of Rose Hill, Hard-by the ever-flowing tide of the Ocmulgee, there to rest until the river of time meets the ocean of eternity.
       We beg to submit the following resolutions:
       Resolved, that in the death of Tracy Baxter this bar has lost an esteemed and gifted brother, generous and kind in all his relations, and as a friend and associate, we deeply mourn his loss;
       And that as a tribute of respect, we request the court to have these proceedings entered on the minutes of the court, and that the clerk be requested to furnish a copy to the family of our deceased brother.
       Respectfully submitted, Hugh V. Washington, Roland Ellis, S. A. Reid, Marion Harris.
• The following appeared on 19 November 1900 in The Macon Telegraph: (Bibb County) All persons having demands against the estate of Tracy Baxter, or the estate of Dr. John S. Baxter, both late of Bibb county, deceased, are hereby notified to render in their demands to Mr. T. D. Tinsley, agent for the undersigned, according to law; and all persons indebted to either of said estates are required to make immediate payment. This 20th day of October, 1900. Mrs. Willie. Tinsley Baxter, Administratix Estates of Tracy Baxter and Dr. John S. Baxter, Deceased.

• Last Edited: 26 Mar 2012

• Charts: Descendants of CAMPBELL Archibald & Rebecca Kirk