Baker, George F. 1868 -

BAKER, FLANDERS, ADAMS, FULLER

Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 2/25/2014 at 20:29:32

GEORGE F. BAKER

A son of a prominent business man, George F. Baker has carried worthily forward the traditions of the family, being connected with some of the most important commercial interests of Decorah and Winneshiek county He is a business man of the modern type, shrewd, able, progressive and straightforward, careful of his own interests, considerate of those of others and influenced at all times by the thought of the broader effect which his actions have upon the growth of his community. An indication of his influential position in the business world is given by the fact that he at present serves as the president of the Decorah Commercial Club, the Winneshiek County Agricultural Society and the Building & Loan Association of Decorah, being also connected with a number of other important enterprises and private interests. He is the owner of one of the largest lumberyards of Decorah and in that connection has interests which connect him with the far west of the country. A self-made man, due credit must be given for what he has attained, and due credit is given him by his fellowmen, who defer to his judgment and concede him to be a man of superior ability.

Born in Conover, Winneshiek county on October 11, 1868. George F. Baker is a son of James H. and Elizabeth (Flanders) Baker, the father a native of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, where he was born in 1838. He was of Irish stock, his parents coming to the United States from the Emerald isle at an early date, locating in Wisconsin. Elizabeth (Flanders) Baker was born in New York state on October 31, 1845, and is of Yankee descent. James H. Baker was a grain dealer, and stock buyer and shipper and prior to coming to Winneshiek comity was engaged as agriculturist. He came to Conover in 1864, operating a grain elevator there and buying and shipping stock. In 1867 he removed to Decorah and successfully conducted business until his death in 1882. His widow still makes her home in Decorah. James H Baker was considered one of the leading men of his community not only in business but also along public lines, serving at the time of his death as city alderman, having held that position for a number of years. He also was extensively interested in the city waterworks.

George F. Baker was educated in the public and high schools of Decorah and when he was fifteen years of age discontinued his lessons and engaged for work in a lumberyard which belonged to a Mr. Riley. Paying close attention to business, studying methods, details, transactions and also the qualities of material handled, he soon became an expert in his line and after only two years was appointed manager of the Wilbur Lumber Company of Decorah. He remained in this connection until 1890, when he acquired an interest in Mr. Riley's business, becoming a partner in the concern. In the fall of 1903 he acquired Mr. Riley's part and has since been sole proprietor. Under his able management the business has largely increased and the annual income derived from the enterprise is a most gratifying one.

In 1891 Mr. Baker was united in marriage to Miss Leila A. Adams, a daughter of A. W. and Emma (Fuller) Adams, the former a special police officer of Waterloo, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have one son. George A., born February 14. 1894, who is a senior in the Decorah high school.

It is but natural that a man of the ability and enterprise of Mr. Baker should become intimately connected with the public life of his community and the service he has rendered in that connection is such as to be worthy of the highest commendation. He served with distinction for four years as alderman of the fourth ward and still is a member of the school board of Decorah, promoting the cause of education in every possible way. His interest in the commercial expansion of his community is evident from the fact that he at present serves as president of the Decorah Commercial Club, doing in this important position valuable work in attracting new industries and enterprises toward the city. He is president of the Winneshiek County Agricultural Society and as president of the Building & Loan Association of Decorah has been instrumental in helping many of moderate means to erect their own homes He is a stockholder and director in the Winneshiek Hotel Company of Decorah and is also interested in the Ronan Wood & Land Company of Decorah and is chief executive officer of an outside concern, the Baker Lumber Company of Salt Lake City. Utah, this company having nine retail lumberyards in that state. J. H. Baker, a brother of our subject, is the manager of this firm.

Mr. Baker votes the republican ticket and fraternally is a member of the Knights of Pythias. Mrs. Baker is president of the Ladies Aid Society. It is readily recognized that the modem growth of cities is largely due to commercial expansion and for that reason Mr. Baker must be given high credit for what he has done for Decorah. True and loyal to his home city, he promotes her interests wherever the opportunity offers and his name stands high among those who have materially contributed to her upbuilding.

Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark publishing Company 1913

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