James A. Baker (1927)

ATHERTON, BAKER

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 11/28/2014 at 16:18:38

Earlham Echo
Earlham, Iowa
Thursday, November 3, 1927

Our good townsman Jim Baker was called suddenly from Life’s work at eight o’clock this (Friday) morning by one of those often recurrent heart attacks which he has suffered for several years. The end came almost painlessly as he lay in his home after being brought there from the power house.

Mr. Baker was awakened by Marshal Irvin at three o’clock this morning with the tidings that the town water pressure had failed and that pressure could not be maintained in the big tank. Jim, his concern always for the service of which he was guardian, rose at once and went to the power house, finding the main shutoff valve of the pressure tank unexplainably closed. He remained at the plant until nearly eight o’clock, and in the meantime began to show signs of distress visible to his neighbor Chas. Jarvis. He finally laid down on his auto seat couch, and agreed to Mr. Jarvis going to his home to bring some medicine he was accustomed to taking during similar attacks. A moment later, evidently feeling much worse, he telephoned Arthur Allen to bring a car and take him home. Jarvis returned at about the same time Mr. Allen arrived, and a heart stimulant was administered. A fast trip was made to the Baker residence, and the sick man, then in a condition of almost total collapse was helped to the house and made easy on a couch. He then reluctantly agreed to submit to the examination of a doctor and Arthur left to summon Dr. Day. A moment later his heart gave up the struggle, Mrs. Baker and Supt. Nieman being at his side.

James Baker was 75 years old at the time of his death, and he and his wife recently passed their fiftieth wedding anniversary. For many years he has been employed in the town’s service as nighwatchman, plant fireman and later, as his physical powers became limited, as engineer of the waterworks system. Funeral services will be held at the Methodist Church at two-thirty Sunday afternoon.
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Earlham Echo
Earlham, Iowa
Thursday, November 17, 1927

Friends and relatives of James Baker paid the last earthly tribute of their love and esteem at the Methodist Church at two-thirty Sunday afternoon. Rev. Beers conducted the memorial service, and with this simple rite the body of the man who had so well acquitted himself of service to earth and his fellow men was laid in Earlham Cemetery. We will miss Jim as he starts on the long journey, miss his unfailing good humor, his terse but always fair judgments. He was a good friend to have, and we presume that ere this he has met one of his best friends, Rev. Chas. Lescault. Thus it is that as Heaven becomes peopled with the souls of loved ones we have lost awhile, it draws closer to us with the promise of ties renewed in eternity.

The following obituary of Mr. Baker’s life was read at the Sunday service:

James A. Baker, son of A. E. and Mary Baker was born July 18, 1851 at Salem, Ill., and passed away at his home in Earlham, Friday morning Nov. 11, 1927.

The earlier years of his life were spent in Illinois. When just a small boy he was left with the responsibility of the home, while his father served in the Union army during the Civil War.

On Oct. 18, 1877 he was united in marriage to Mary J. Atherton of Maxon, Ill. To this union was born one son, Esla.

Later the family moved to Iowa and have lived near, and in Earlham for twenty-seven years.

He was a kind husband and father and happiest when at home with his family.

Surviving him are his wife, son, daughter-in-law and three grandchildren Lilith, Elsie and Sarah, also three sisters and one brother, besides many other relatives and friends.

Gravesite
 

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