Martin Luther Baker (1939)

BAKER, MARQUARDT, PARKINSON, PRITCHARD, PROHASKA

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 11/8/2023 at 18:03:28

Dallas County News
Adel, Iowa
Wednesday August 16, 1939
Page 7, Column 2

Martin Luther Baker was born Aug. 22, 1915 northeast of Van Meter on the farm where his uncle, Martin Pritchard now lives. His untimely death came at the Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines, Thursday, August 10, after a short illness, at the age of 23 years, 11 months, 19 days.

He spent the first few years of his life near Van Meter and started to school there. The balance of his school life was in the DeSoto schools. Through his school life and later his jolly nature made and kept him many friends.

After leaving school he has worked at various work around DeSoto and Earlham. For the past two years he was employed by the Rock Island railroad.

Martin was accepted into full membership in the DeSoto Methodist church when 12 years old, by the pastor, the Rev. W. W. Martin. He was devoted to his parents and especially concerned about his mother’s health. Could we pay more tribute to him than to say he was one of us, walked among us, talked to us, liked some of us, talked to us, liked some of us perhaps better than others, lived his life among us just as we are doing.

Martin leaves his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Baker; 8 sisters: Mary at home, Sarah Parkinson of Highmore, South Dakota, Nellie Prohaska of Earlham, Iowa; Lueta E. of Niagara Falls, New York; Dorothy Marquardt of Winterset and Bettie, Susie Mae and Madeline at home; four brothers, Joseph E., of Niagara Falls, New York, John of DeSoto and Robert and Curtis Glen at home; his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Elias Pritchard of West Des Moines, numerous other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the DeSoto Methodist church conducted by the Rev. W. W. Watson of Reasoner, Iowa, under whose pastorate Martin joined the DeSoto church when 14 years old. A host of relatives and friends were present.

Sermon verses and songs listed (no genealogical info)

Interment was made in the Shambaugh cemetery southeast of DeSoto. A host of friends sympathize with the relatives in their loss.

Transcriber’s note: Martin has a stone at the Union Chapel-Jefferson township cemetery which was probably known as the Shambaugh cemetery.

Gravesite
 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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