BAKER, Samuel F. 1820-1888

BAKER, SMITH, ELLIOTT, GEESLING, BROWN

Posted By: Nettie Mae (email)
Date: 2/23/2019 at 17:54:52

Decatur County Journal
Leon, Decatur County, Iowa
September 6, 1888

MR. SAMUEL F. BAKER died at his home in Garden Grove Township, Decatur County, Iowa, on Tuesday morning, August 21, 1888, aged 68 years, 2 months and 23 days.

Deceased was born in Steuben County, New York, May 26, 1820, and at the age of six years was taken by his parents to Republic, Ohio, where his youth was spent on a farm. On April 10, 1851, he was married at that place to MISS CAROLINE L. SMITH, daughter of the late GAYLORD SMITH, of that county, but later of Garden Grove.

MR. and MRS. BAKER arrived at Garden Grove May 27, 1851, and have since resided at or in its vicinity -- a period of thirty-seven years or all their married life. They were the parents of nine children, as follows: LOUIE A., wife of D.H. ELLIOTT, Arlington, Kansas; BURT B., Topeka, Kansas - engineer on the Santa Fe Railroad; CHARLIE, died at the age of four years; MOLLIE L., wife of HENRY GEESLING, Lerado, Kansas; FRANK, died when one year and seven months old; FANNIE S. and SAMUEL F. at home; WILLIAM, lived but one month; RALPH D. is fifteen years old. There are four grandchildren.

Their first home was made near Garden Grove, which they sold to the much lamented UNCLE HUGH BROWN. MR. BAKER, with commendable enterprise helped to build a mill west of High Point, which the treacherous Weldon washed away. Made a farm there and, as always, left their mark in orchards, vineyards, adding beauty and value to each place, and in a few years returned to the Grove to educate their children, and in their daughters furnished to the county three good teachers.

Like so many of our first settlers, MR. BAKER and wife have had their affections centred about the home of their first choice. The last fifteen years have been spent in their present pleasant home, enjoying much till the ravages of insiduous disease warned them that "the inevitable hour" for the husband and father was slowly, but as surely approaching. Nearly seven months ago, FANNIE was called home from a sojourn with her sisters, and all these weary weeks the patient wife, faithful to the last, assisted by the three younger children, has watched and waited, hoped against hope, till no one could longer be deceived by any temporary improvement. Relatives, neighbors and friends have been always ready, and during intervals of comparative ease have spent many enjoyable hours in his society.

UNCLE SAM, as he was familiarly called, was of a remarkably cheerful disposition, was playful as a child, consequently he couragerously bore reverses, sorrows and sufferings. When the truth was forced upon him that henceforth he could only be a spectator of the scenes in which he was wont to take part and to realize that his work here was done, the only grief he expressed was that of parting with his family, and any allusion to the subject brought the tears. All were recognized, and with a smile, to the last, and although the fatal change was not unlooked for he passed away so quietly it was a shock to the bereaved hearts.

A very large concourse of relatives and friends assembled at the house on Wednesday forenoon to show respect for the departed and sympathy for his family. The obsequies consisted of music by a picked choir, REV. BEER read the beautiful Episcopal service, with which church some of the family are connected. MRS. G.P. ARNOLD rendered a beautiful musical selection with her usual taste and sympathetic expression. To those who had seen the deceased when he suffered, he look beautiful in death. There were elegant floral tributes. The services were most impressive, yet quiet and comforting. The long procession proceeded to the Garden Grove Cemetery, where they laid him in his last resting place. The pall bearers were GEORGE WOODBURY, J.W. RUSSELL, T.B. DANIEL, L.E. ZICHY, W.H. WALES and JOHN JORDAN.

MR. BAKER enjoyed the Old Settler's Reunions, and many remember how enthusiastic he was last year. May we all meet at the Great Reunion.

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