Founded in 1870 by Ivus L. Atwood, the Paxton funeral home was purchased by Ralph E. Ford in 1933. After the purchase, the facility was known as the Ford Funeral Home. Maurice Baier bought the business from Mr. Ford in 1949 and changed the name to Ford-Baier Funeral Home. The funeral home has been at its current location on East Pells Street since 1933.