Baker, J.F.

BAKER

Posted By: Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer
Date: 6/27/2019 at 18:28:20

J. F. BAKER born 1824

J. F. BAKER, is a native of Steuben County, New York, born May 3, 1824, a son of JOSEPH and MARY (BAKER) BAKER, his father a native of Massachusetts, and his mother of New York, a daughter of SAMUEL BAKER, who was the original owner of Pleasant Valley, New York. When our subject was about three years old his parents moved to Seneca County, Ohio, where he was reared, his early life being passed on his father’s farm. He obtained his education in the common schools and by private study, and when seventeen years old began teaching school, and taught nineteen terms in Ohio. In 1845 he bought eighty acres of land in Wyandotte, Ohio. He cleared fifteen acres of heavy timber and set out his land, and the fall of 1850 sold out his land, and the following spring started for the West. He made the journey with a two-horse team, and was six weeks on the road from Ohio to Decatur County. He entered the land that is his present farm from the Government, and lived on it about a year. He then went to Ray County, Missouri, where he was engaged in teaching school until 1855, when he returned to Decatur County and taught thirty-three terms within a few miles of his home, and seven terms in District No. 1, seven in District No. 2, three in District No. 3, six in District No. 4, three in District No. 6, one in District No. 8, and six terms in High Point Township. He has been a successful teacher, and many of his pupils have since become teachers and prominent business men. Mr. BAKER has served his township as trustee eight years, and district secretary eight years. He was one of the two secretaries at the first election held in Woodland Township. This was held at the house of NAT. SHIELDS, in the spring of 1852. There were no judges, the other secretary being J. W. DARR. Sixteen votes were cast, the ballot box was a tin pail with a cover, and Mr. BAKER wrote the tickets. Mr. BAKER has always taken an active interest in the affairs of his township, and in educational matters has been especially active, as his early life was so closely identified with that cause, and he has always given liberally of his time and money to promote its advancement. He is a writer of considerable note, and is the author of the late version of “Yankee Doodle” (centennial song), and other pieces of merit. He was married in March 1864, to ELIZABETH A. LENTZ, and to them have been born four sons – JOSEPH E., JOHN K., RICHARD E., and KNOX POLK. Mr. BAKER has a pleasant home, his farm containing ninety-five acres of valuable land. His orchard is one of the largest in the township, having 380 bearing trees.