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From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin, publ. 1901 - page 344-345
HON. CHARLES HENRY BAXTER, a leading, progressive citizen of Lancaster, Grant county, who represented the Sixteenth Senatorial District in the Wisconsin Senate in 1893-95-97-99, is a worthy representative of one of the well-known families of Grant county. The paternal ancestry of the BAXTER family is of English origin, and is traced in a direct line back to Richard BAXTER, famous in Christian literature.
Dr. Hiram BAXTER, father of our subject, was born in New York State, where he married Elizabeth DECKER, who was descended from an early Dutch family of the State of New York. In 1856 he migrated to Wisconsin with his family, and settled at Lancaster. He was a prominent and widely known physician, and continued in practice up to the time of his death, in 1866, while yet not an old man, being but sixty-one years of age. His wife had passed away the previous year. They were the parents of four sons who attained to mature years: William, the eldest, a druggist by occupation, died at Lancaster in 1885; Daniel N. was a soldier in the war for the Union, serving in Company K, 47th Wis. V.I.; Charles Henry is third in the order of birth; and the fourth, H. G., is a resident of Grant county.
Charles Henry BAXTER was born Nov. 15, 1841, on the historic grounds of Stillwater, Saratoga Co., N.Y., and was about fifteen years of age when the family moved to Wisconsin. He was educated in the public schools of his native State and of Wisconsin, and in 1860 commenced business life as a clerk in the store of George HOWE, of Lancaster. In August, 1862, having decided to enter the military service of his country in defense of the Union, he enrolled in company C, 25th Wis. V.I. He enlisted at Lancaster, and was mustered into the United States service at La Crosse. The Indians at that time being troublesome, his regiment was ordered to the Minnesota frontier, but in the following February proceeded to Columbus, Ky.; thence marched by Snyder's Bluff, and from there to Helena, Ark., suffering severely from the malaria of the country. Mr. BAXTER continued with his regiment, which was sadly decimated by disease, and was finally attacked with chronic diarrhea and taken to the hospital at Mound City, Ill., where he remained until his discharge, in August following. Returning to Lancaster, he there remained until the spring of 1864, when, having sufficiently recovered to re-enter the service, he again enlisted, this time in Company A, 41st Wis. V.I., and was mustered into the service at Camp Washburn, Milwaukee. He accompanied the regiment to Memphis, Tenn., and served on detached duty at the headquarters of the adjutant, and a little later on the staff of Gen. C. C. Washburn, doing duty at headquarters until he was mustered out, in September, 1864. In January, 1865, he received a captain's commission, and was assigned to Company K, 47th Wis. V.I. After organization, at Madison, the regiment was ordered to report to Gen. Thomas, at Nashville. It was stationed at Tullahoma, where Capt. BAXTER, as ranking officer, was frequently in command of the regiment. Later he was detached and made chief of ordnance of the Middle District of Tennessee, on the staff of Gen. Milroy. After the latter was mustered out, Capt. BAXTER was transferred to the staff of Gen. Van Cleve, and held his position throughout the remainder of his term.
On his return to Lancaster, our subject engaged in business with George HOWE, and continued in that business, the firm being Charles H. BAXTER, & Co., until August, 1895, when he retired. The business of the firm was an extensive one, as in addition to general merchandising they dealt in lumber, coal and live stock. Since his retirement our subject has been elected vice-president of the State Bank of Grant County.
Mr. BAXTER has been called upon to hold various official positions in his city and county. He has served in the council, and as mayor of Lancaster; as member of the county board of supervisors; member of the State central committee for eight years; chairman of the county central committee for twenty years; president of the Southwestern Wisconsin Veterans' Association for ten years; delegate-at-large to the G.A.R. encampment in 1885; also to that held in Boston, Mass. in 1890. He was the Republican candidate for the Assembly in 1886; was elected to the State Senate in 1892, John Bremer being his Democratic opponent, and was re-elected in 1896 by a largely increased majority, Morton Eastman being the Democratic candidate. For three terms, 1895-97-99, Mr. BAXTER was chairman of the joint committee on Claims; and he was also member of the committees on State Affairs, Banking, Insurance, and Military Affairs.
Mr. BAXTER was married, Feb. 20, 1865, to Miss Maria HOWE, who was born in Clinton county, N.Y., a daughter of George HOWE, an honored citizen of Lancaster. Their children are George Howe (who was associated with his father in business), Laura and Martha. Mr. and Mrs. BAXTER are members of the Congregational Church. In politics he has always been an ardent Republican, and prominent and influential in the councils of his party. He is one of Grant county's most progressive and public-spirited citizens, and has ever been held in high esteem.
This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck