Baker, Albert I.

BAKER, CHESEBRO, GRUBER, DODSON, MCLEAN

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/21/2009 at 10:18:29

Baker, Albert I.

Among the men who have been instrumental in public affairs is Albert I. Baker, of Newton, a man eminently deserving of the high esteem in which he is held by all classes, and whose name should be perpetuated in the history of his locality, partly because of his honored and untiring efforts in upbuilding the same and partly because he has led a worthy and consistent life, also because he is the scion of one of the prominent and influential old pioneer families, the type that has made the great Mississippi valley rival that of the Nile in medieval times.

Mr. Baker was born in Livingston County, Illinois, December 1, 1864, and he is the son of William E. and Sarah (Chesebro) Baker, both natives of New York. His mother's parents were pioneers of Livingston County, Illinois, having built the second house in Sullivan Township, there, and for many years they farmed extensively in that county. William E. Baker was reared in Cincinnati, Ohio, and he came from there to Livingston County, Illinois, when a very young man, where he located on a section of land purchased by his father and here he was married. There is no more prominent man in Livingston County, Illinois, today than the subject's father, for he has at all times been active in politics and has held numerous township and county offices, having twice been a member of the county board of supervisors. He was at one time mayor of the town of Dwight, Illinois, and was also a member of the board of education there. After leaving Dwight he moved to Fairbury, in the same county, where he was appointed postmaster under Cleveland. Upon retiring from the post office in 1890 he was elected county treasurer on the Democratic ticket, having resigned the position as, postmaster to accept same. During his term as treasurer he was elected chairman of the Democratic County Committee, in which capacity he served through two he served through two different campaigns, winning in both. Since going out of office he has been appointed on the board of review for the apportionment of taxes for his county. At present he is residing in Pontiac, the county seat, and is serving as justice of the peace for Pontiac Township, having been elected in 1909 by both parties. He is serving in this capacity with his usual ability and satisfaction. Although Mr. Baker is now seventy-three years of age, he is hale and hearty and an interesting man to know, being of the finest characteristics and well informed on all public questions. His wife is now sixty-six years old, and they have a host of warm friends. Their family consists of six children, an equal number of boys and girls, namely: Albert I., of this review; Clark E., a photographer of Smithfield, Utah; Stevens R., an attorney in Pontiac; Helen lives in Pontiac; Delia, who married a ranchman, lives in Kalispel, Montana, and Isabel, in Pontiac.

When eighteen years of age Albert I. Baker began working as an assistant bookkeeper and cashier in a large general store at Fairbury, Illinois, and there he remained three years, giving his employers the utmost satisfaction. Then he and his brother Clark established The Fairbury News, a weekly paper, which flourished for three years, when the plant burned. The following day both brothers accepted a partnership with The Fairbury Blade, where they remained two years. Clark Baker then went to Utah and in December 1890, Albert I. Baker was appointed deputy clerk of Livingston County under John C. George and served four years. After, that he spent over three years in Elkhart, Indiana, as head bookkeeper for the National Paper and Supply Company, and it was while living there that he met and married Mrs. Harriet A. Gruber, nee Dodson, she being the widowed daughter of James J. and Jane (McLean) Dodson, both of Ontario, Canada, where the father had been a merchant; he is now deceased; his widow is making her home in Buffalo, New York, and is now seventy-four years old.

One child, a son, born to Mr. and Mrs. Baker, died in infancy.

In November, 1898, Mr. Baker came to Newton, Jasper County, and purchased the Iowa State Democrat, which he sold after running it less than a year, then engaged with the Iowa Mercantile Company, filling the position of bookkeeper and cashier with his usual ability and fidelity for a period of four years. The next two years he was storekeeper and purchasing agent for the Parsons Self Feeder Company. On June 1, 1906, he became auditor and credit man for the One Minute Manufacturing Company, which position he still holds, performing his duties in a manner that reflects much credit upon his ability and to the entire satisfaction of his employers. He owns a beautiful modern home in Newton. He and his wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Newton, Mr. Baker being one of the trustees.

He has always taken an active interest in politics, especially since coming to Newton. He has acted as secretary of the Democratic Central Committee of the county and it is in a great measure due to his efforts that the party has been placed on a successful basis. Fraternally, he is a member of Newton Lodge No. 59, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and he is a dimitted member of Newton Chapter No. 100; Order of the Eastern Star, of which his wife also is a member. He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Brotherhood of American Yeomen at Newton. He is a genial, kindly man whom it is a pleasure to meet, well informed on current topics on which men and parties divide and is acquainted with the world's best literature. He is one of those sincere, honest, public-spirited citizens who are a credit to any community, for while laboring to advance their own interests they never lose sight of their obligations to their neighbors and the general public. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 510.