In 1882, George Baxter Sr. his wife Isabella, and their 2 children (Isabella and John) immigrated from Scotland. They traveled to Ruthven, Iowa by railroad and were met by his brother John. When George saw the oxcart and oxen he remarked, "Hoot, mon what have I got myself into,"

He bought an 80 south of the west end of Virgin Lake in Highland Township, section 31. There he built a sod house and a shed covered with slough grass for a roof and sides to house the farm animals.

He walked to work through the swamp and slough grass. He helped build the railroad. He would stay at the camp all week. The lakes, hills, swamps, etc, in this area were not unlike his native Scotland.

Robert was born August 11, 1883. After the birth Isabella climbed to the top of the barn and put up a pole with a white cloth fastened to it so that the John Baxters would know she needed help.

George Thomas - born in 1885, Walter - 1888, and Alexander were born at the farm also. Alexander passed away at the age of 5.

Around 1900, they bought a general store and with the help of his daughter, Isabella (who managed the dry goods department) they ran the store for a short time before selling it.

One afternoon he went to catch his horse from among the herd and one whirled and kicked him in the head. The next morning they put a cot in the baggage car of the passenger train and he was taken to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. One of his sons rode with him.