Nicholas H. Bakeman, 1858-1937

BAKEMAN, DOUGLAS, NICHOLS, KETCHUM, BAUDER, STRATTON, VUNASNUM, SNYDER, SHAFFER, GILSON, SCHORI, MOSBY, JORGENSON, GRETHER, KOHLER, SALTSGIVER, BLOOMFIELD

Posted By: C. Diamond, IAGenWeb Volunteer
Date: 8/15/2014 at 00:24:11

The Elgin Echo
Elgin, Fayette Co., Iowa
Wednesday, March 4, 1937
Page 3, column four

NICHOLAS H. BAKEMAN.

Nicholas H. Bakeman, son of George and Lucy Bakeman, was born at Dowagiae, Michigan, on June 3, 1858, and died in the Decorah hospital on Wednesday morning, February 24, 1937, aged seventy-eight years, eight months and twenty-one days. He was one of a family of eight children. Two brothers have preceded him in death. The surviving are Charles, aged 84, of Rockford, Iowa; Richard, aged 83, of Springfield, Mo.; Mrs. Laura Douglas, aged 76, of Seattle, Wash.; and Mrs. Nora Nichols, aged 70, of Santa Barbara, Calif.

When he was nine years of age he came with his parents to Iowa in a covered wagon. The family located on a farm in the neighborhood and grew to manhood.

In 1883, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Elizabeth Ketchum. Following their marriage they farmed for some time until 1894, when the family moved to Elgin, where they have since made their home with the exception of a few years which were spent in South Dakota. During the years that he lived in Elgin he conducted the hotel and livery stable, wrote insurance for a time, after which for fourteen years he was engaged as a rural mail carrier. Then due to failing health he was forced to employ himself with work that would require less exposure. To them were born five children all of whom are living. They are, LeRoy C., of Antioch, Calif.; Frank W., of Huron, S.D.; Mrs. Alma Bauder of West Union; Delbert H., of Belmont, Calif.; and Mrs. Harriet Stratton, of Huron, S.D.

On July 23, 1933, he united with the Elgin M. E. church and since that time when his health would at all permit he was a constant and regular attendant to all its services. He was from that time a loyal and fearless champion of the Pastor and the cause of the Kingdom. His faith and courage was equaled only by his cheerful and sunny disposition. The heroic spirit with which he endured his afflictions is a worthy example for all to follow.

It is a record of history and a point of interest to us to know that he was the grandson of Daniel Frederick Bakeman, who was born in New Jersey in 1760. In 1778, he enlisted in the Company commanded by one Capt. Vunasnum of the Revolutionary War. He was the last surviving pensioned soldier of that war dying at the age of 109 years and 6 months. His wife the grandmother of Mr. Bakeman, lived until the age of 100 years.

He is survived by his widow, his five children, two brothers and two sisters, six grand children, one great grandchild and nephews, nieces and other near relatives who mourn the loss of a good husband, father and brother.

Funeral services were held at St. Paul’s M.E. church on Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock, conducted by his pastor, Rev. J.J. Snyder. Hymns were sung by Howard Shaffer, Wayne Gilson, C.B. Schori and Gordon Mosby with R. C. Jorgenson as pianist. Casket bearers were, Hans Grether, Fred Kohler, Max Saltsgiver, L.L. Bloomfield, Mel Kohler and Ern Bauder. Burial was made in the Elgin cemetery.

CARD OF THANKS.

We wish to extend our most sincere thanks to all those who gave us their kind assistance during the illness and death of our husband and father. We are also very grateful for the floral offerings and sympathy expressed in other ways.
Mrs. Mary E. Bakeman and Children.