Baker, James

BAKER, HALL, DAWSON, BEALS, LINDER, LOGSDON

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/11/2009 at 09:00:29

James Baker, who is numbered among the early settlers of Jasper County, now resides on section 4, Sherman Township, where he owns three hundred and eighty acres of rich land that he has placed under a high state of cultivation. He turned the first furrow upon it, and, in fact, improved one hundred and twenty acres of it, which when it came into his possession was in its primitive condition. The result of his labors is now seen in one of the finest farms of the county, which in its neat and thrifty appearance indicates to the passer-by the careful supervision of the owner.

Mr. Baker is a native of Sussex County, England. He was born April 28, 1835, and is a son of William and Mary (Hall) Baker, who were also born in that country. His mother died when he was about seventeen years of age, and his father when he was about twenty years old. William Baker, with our subject and four daughters, crossed the Atlantic to America in 1855, taking passage at Liverpool on the sailing-vessel "Gosport," which after a voyage of nine weeks reached the harbor of New Orleans, but ere their arrival the father had died, and was buried in the sea. Our subject and his sisters went to Adams County, Ill., where he worked by the month as a farm hand for a number of years. In the fall of 1864 he came to Jasper County, where he continued to work as a farm hand for two years. He then located on the farm where he now resides.

On the 18th of October 1866, Mr. Baker was united in marriage with Mrs. Martha Dawson, widow of Jeremiah Dawson, one of the early settlers of this county. By her first husband she had three children, one of whom is yet living, Louisa. Mr. Dawson was a soldier of the late war, and died at St. Louis from sickness contracted in the service. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Baker have been born five children: Mary, wife of Bert Beals; Lillie, Josie, William and Frank. The mother is a native of Hart County, Ky., born February 15, 1840, and is a daughter of Washington and Susan (Linder) Logsdon, who were also natives of Kentucky. Her maternal great-grandfather was one of the heroes of the Revolutionary War. In the autumn of 1848 she came with her parents to Jasper County, Iowa, the family locating in Independence Township. They were early settlers, and the father entered land from the Government. He and his wife finally removed to Jasper County, Mo., where his death occurred in 1884. His widow, however, is still living in that county.

Mr. Baker is a prominent member of and active worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is now serving as Steward and Trustee. The cause of education finds in him a warm friend, and he has done effective service in its interests while serving as School Director. For many years he has also served as Road Supervisor of his district. In politics he is a Republican, and supports the men and measures of that party. Mr. Baker is alive to the best interests of the community, and does all in his power to promote the general welfare, giving his hearty support and cooperation to those enterprises, which he believes will advance the public good. His worth and ability are recognized by his fellow-townsmen, who hold him in high regard. Portrait and Biographical Record, Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, IA Page 435.