Wendel Baker (1874-1964)

BAKER

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 11/3/2022 at 22:53:44

Wendel Baker
(July 2, 1874 – June 12, 1964)

The name of Wendel Baker is closely associated with agricultural interests in Calhoun County, where until a very recent date he has owned and operated a line farm. He is numbered among the native sons of the golden west, his birth having occurred in Keokuk County, this state, July 2, 1874. The family is of German lineage and Peter Baker, the father of our subject, was born in the German empire, October 7, 1839. There he spent the first fifteen years of his life and then emigrated to America, becoming a resident of Keokuk County, Iowa, where his identification with agricultural interests made him a progressive farmer. He wedded Mary Peiffer, who was also born in the fatherland, her natal day being October 24, 1840. She was only six years of age when brought by her parents to the new world, her people also settling in Keokuk, Iowa, where she still resides. Her husband, however, has passed away, having been called to his final rest on the 1st of August,1897, when he was fifty-seven years of age. In their family were ten children, who in order of birth are as follows: Lena, the wife of Antoine Eller, a resident of Washington County, Iowa; John, who is living in Calhoun County; Mary and Mike, both deceased; Joseph H. also living in Calhoun County; Elizabeth, the wife of Stephen Yeager, of this county; Wendel, of this review; Teressa, the wife of Charles Biewen, of Calhoun County: Emma, the wife of John Olinger, of Keokuk County. No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Wendel Baker in his youth. He pursued his education in the public schools near his home and during the summer months assisted in the cultivation of the home farm, continuing to
aid in the labors of the field there until the spring of 1896. when he came to Calhoun County, taking up his abode on section 20,
Butler Township. Here he carried on agricultural pursuits with excellent success until 1901. when he sold his farm and returned to Keokuk County, where he purchased a good tract of land. He is, however, widely and favorably known in Calhoun County, and well deserves mention in its history. On the 11th of February, 1896, in Keokuk County, Mr. Baker was united in marriage to Miss Mary Biewen, a daughter of Mathias and Lucy (Kleet) Biewen, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Keokuk, Iowa. The home of our subject and his wife has been blessed with three children: Elsie, who was born March 28, 1897; Viola, who was born October 2, 1899, and died on the 23d of November following; and Sadie, born April 12, 1900. Mr. Baker and his family hold membership in St. Mary's Catholic church of Pomeroy. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democratic party and keeps well informed on the issues of the day. but has never sought public office, preferring to give his individed attention to his farming pursuits, in which he has met with good success. [Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S.J. Clarke, 1902, p.452]