Father Baxter was born in East St. Louis, IL on March 22, 1883, the last of twelve siblings. He received his early education in local schools; he was professed on December 25, 1904 and ordained on June 24, 1910. He was first assigned to parish ministry, but with the beginning of the First World War he entered military service, in which task, as military chaplain, he excelled, and received the Croix de Guerre from the French government. Returning from military action, Father Baxter was appointed pastor and superior in many places. He was the second pastor, in 1932 at St. Pius, Chicago, IL, when he was elected prior at St. Mary, New Haven, Connecticut. At the end of his office, he was assigned in diverse places where he labored faithfully and in a praiseworthy manner;

St. Mary's, Johnson City, Tennessee; Holy Rosary, Houston, Texas, Most Holy Name of Jesus, Kansas City, Missouri, St. Helena, Amite, Louisiana.

Father Baxter was a notable preacher and was honored with the title of Preacher General, by the Most Reverend Master General in 1948. He was the head of the Mission Band in Chicago, IL, when he was forced to give up his active service owing to bad health; nevertheless, he remained mentally active although he was obliged to use a wheelchair. In 1960 he celebrated his Golden Jubilee with his brothers and friends. He died on December 5, 1961 and was buried in All Saints Cemetery.