When Cortlandt Bradford Baxter was born on May 6, 1894, in Peekskill, New York, his father, William, was 28 and his mother, Louise, was 27. He had one brother. He attended school at Oakside and following his school days was employed at Intervals at Haines Falls and in New York City, He was an expert chauffeur and traveled about the country considerably. He was at one time In the enginering department of the Inter borough Railroad of New York.

Cortlandt served in the US Naval Reserve Force as a Seaman during World War I. In May, 1917, In what was officially known as the First Division, Fourth Battalion Naval Militia. He made good as a Jack tar, attended strictly to business and had much responsible work in various branches of the service at Kingsland Point. He was generally at the wheel of the car used by his commanding officer, Lieut. George N. Colyer. He was finally sent to the USS Utah and was with that ship when it was sent to foreign service. He was assistant postmaster of the ship.

Seaman Baxter died of broncho pneumonia on oct 25, 1914 in Ireland, at the age of 24, and was initially buried in the Old Church Cemetery, Cobh, Ireland. His final resting place is in the Hillside Cemetery, Cortlandt Manor, Westchester County, New York, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.ancestry.com