Family Photo Album
James A. Baxter, 1819-1897
Music Teacher
James A. Baxter founded a music school in Friendship, NY, in March 1853 --the first institution of musical learning in the United States. It had several names over the course of its history, among them the Friendship University of Music.
The school was well regarded and attracted students from a wide area, bringing in the sons and daughters of cultured and affluent families, many of whom married local Friendship young people. One such student was Lura Merriam Brown who married Emmit Girdell Latta, Sheridan's eldest brother.
James Baxter was the third child of John Whitlock Baxter and Mary McQueen and cousin of Orpha Gorton Latta.