Alfred C. Baker needs no introduction to the readers of this volume for he is widely known as one of the prosperous farmers of Linn township. His residence in the county covers thirty-five years, during which period he has established himself as a capable agriculturist, the proof of his industry and well directed labor being found in his farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which is a well improved and valuable property.
England claims him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Gloucester on the 17th of April, 1852. He was there reared to the age of nineteen years and during his youth worked with his father at the carpenter’s trade. He is largely a self-educated man and acquired his knowledge in a considerable measure since attaining his majority. The favorable reports that reached him concerning America and her opportunities proved a call which he could not withstand and, bidding adieu to friends and native land, he sailed for the new world in 1872, making his way direct to Wisner, Nebraska. There he worked at the carpenter’s trade for a brief period but the same year came to Cedar Rapids and entered the employ of a banker, caring for his horses and stock. Later he secured farm work in Linn county and in 1875 came to Cedar county, where he worked by the month for several years, being in the employ of one man for three years. He also engaged in laying tile for a year but was ambitious to engage in business on his own account and at length rented a farm which he cultivated for about five years. During that period he carefully saved his earnings and about 1886 purchased eighty acres of land, constituting the home farm upon which he now resides. He then began the further development of the property and afterward extended its boundaries by the additional purchase of eighty acres adjoining. He has erected a good two-story residence, and upon the place are two large barns, one thirty-six by fifty-six feet and the other one thirty-one by thirty-two feet. There is also a substantial chicken house, hog house and granary, together with corn cribs and machine sheds, and he uses the latest improved agricultural implements in carrying on the farm. He has also raised and fattened stock, feeding about a carload of hogs each year. He has high grade cattle upon his place and owns a registered shorthorn bull. He is a man of resourceful business ability and accomplishes what he undertakes, thus moving steadily forward to the goal of success.
On the 12th of March, 1883, Mr. Baker was married in Cass township, Cedar county, to Miss Amelia Herbst, a native of that township, where her girlhood days were spent in the home of her father, Henry Herbst, one of the pioneer settlers from Germany. Two sons and a daughter have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Baker: Charles A., Lillie and Burdus J.
Mr. Baker holds to the political faith of the democratic party upon questions of national importance but casts an independent local ballot. Since coming to America he has made three trips back to the old world, his first visit being made in 1878, when he remained three months. In 1902 he returned to his native land and in 1908, accompanied by his youngest son, he revisited the scenes of his boyhood and youth. He started out in life empty handed and is a self-made man who has been both the architect and builder of his fortunes. He arrived in Mechanicsville with a capital of five dollars and faced the necessity of at once securing employment that he might have the necessities of life. He possessed laudable ambition, however, joined with industry and perseverance, and it is upon these qualities that honorable success is ever based.
