Baker, William Mitchell 1840-1927

BAKER, HELPHREY, RAMSEY, CONLEY, THORNTON, TOEDT

Posted By: Barbara Hug (email)
Date: 2/3/2005 at 09:38:26

William Baker Dies Yesterday
Funeral Services Will be Held Monday Afternoon at Morgan Funeral Home.

William Baker, a well known Newton resident for many years, died yesterday afternoon at 4:30 o'clock at the home of his son, George Baker, after an illness of only a weeks from pneumonia.

Mr. Baker, who was 86 years of age, had always been in excellent health and the last week of his life was the first time he had been bedfast for the last 55 years. Just a week ago today he came to Newton with his son, George, who lives four miles west of Newton, to trade, and seemed in the best of health. That evening he became ill and when he was found to be in a serious condition a special nurse was procured.

Funeral services will be held Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Morgan Funeral home in the charge of Dr. G. C. Williams. Burial will be made at Sugar Grove cemetery.

William Mitchell Baker was born May 3, 1840 in Newark, O. He came to Jasper county the first time in 1863, when a young man of 23 years. He returned to Ohio but came to Jasper county again in 1865, this time with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Baker who settled on the farm where the son, George, now lives.

Mr. Baker was united in Marriage with Miss Mary Ramsay on Oct. 24, 1871 in Newton and to this union were born eight children, four sons and four daughters.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Baker lived on a farm adjoining Mr. Baker's father's place for about five years. At this time 5 years ago, the death of his father occurred and the young people moved to the old home place to manage the place for Mr. Baker's mother, who died at the age of 93 years. Mrs. William Baker died in 1891.

Six years later Mr. Baker was married to Miss [Mrs.] Malisa Conley in August 1897, who preceded her husband in death Sept. 30, 1925. [She is buried in Newton Union Cemetery] Mr. Baker had always followed the occupation of farming until in 1902, he retired and moved to Newton, locating on the place occupied by the Motor Inn, on First Avenue West. He education was received in a log school house in Ohio before coming to this country.

Mr. Baker was of good moral character, believed in the right way of living and was a good neighbor, always ready to help out a friend.

He is survived by three sons, Bert Baker, who lives eight miles north of Newton, George Baker, four miles west of Newton, and Harry Baker, three miles south of Newton, and one daughter, Mrs. Thomas Thornton, of Phoenix, Ariz. Mrs. Thornton, who is ill, will be unable to attend the funeral services. Four children preceded the father in death, Addie, David and Jennie, who died within a week of each other from diphtheria, when they were small children, and Mrs. Burl Helphrey, who died in 1908.

Mr. Baker is also survived by five grandchildren, Mrs. Leo Toedt, who lives six miles north of Newton, Miss Ora Baker, at home, Everett, Verl and John William Baker, all of Newton, two great grandchildren, Margaret and Carl Toedt, of Newton. ~ The Newton Daily News, Newton, IA, April 16, 1927