Thomas James Baker 1853 - 1943

BAKER, THOMPSON

Posted By: Connie J Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/19/2016 at 11:06:52

The Anthon Herald
8 December 1943

(Oto Observer): Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Oto Federated Church for Thomas James Baker, a former pioneer resident of this community, who passed away at his home in Cincinnati, Ohio, Saturday, November 27, 1943. Rev. G.C. Wise, resident pastor, officiated at the services. Interment was in the Bethel Cemetery under direction of Hudgel's Funeral Service. Services were conducted in Cincinnati Monday before the remains were shipped here for burial.

Thomas James Baker was born near Edmund, Wisconsin, December 15, 1853, and died November 27, 1943, at the age of 89 years, 11 months and 12 days. He was the son of Francis and Mary Baker, pioneers of that vicinity, and grew to manhood there. He received his education in the Edmund schools and at the State Normal College, Platteville, Wisconsin. After some time spent in teaching school, he came to Iowa and located in Pottawattamie County, where he and his brother engaged in farming. He came to Woodbury County in 1881 and purchased a farm about three miles northwest of Oto and erected a home there, hauling the building materials from Sioux City.

On January 9, 1882, he united in marriage to Julia A. Thompson. That spring he returned to Wisconsin and brought his bride to their pioneer home. This part of the country was raw prairie and sparsely settled at that time. To this union were born three children, two sons and a daughter; the sons, James and Robert, preceding their parents in death. In 1909 Mr. and Mrs. Baker retired and spent several months traveling in California and other western points. They located at Willcox, Arizona, where they resided several years and where Mrs. Baker passed away December 30, 1924. Later Mr. Baker married again, and in October 1942 he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio.

He had been in failing health since September 22, 1943, but previous to that time had been very rugged.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Rose Baker, who was unable to attend the funeral; a daughter, Mrs. J.R. Carter of Oto; a niece, Mrs. B.F. Long of Oto, who was reared in the Baker home and was like a daughter to him; a sister, Mrs. Irene B. Fox of Madison, Wisconsin, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

He was a member of the Knights of Pythias of Oto and numbered his friends by his acquaintances.