S. C. BAKER

The farming interests of Cedar county have a worthy representative in S. C. Baker, who was born on his present farm on section 18, Rochester township, February 6, 1864, his parents being William and Belinda (Linsey) Baker. The birth of the father occurred in Pickaway county, Ohio, in 1819. He was one of the early settlers of Cedar county, where he located in 1835, and upon the land which he entered from the government in Rochester township he erected a cabin and prepared a home for his family, who arrived the following year. In 1836 he removed to the farm now occupied by our subject and throughout the greater part of his life was engaged in agricultural pursuits, though for about fourteen years he conducted a mercantile business in Rochester. Later he removed to Moscow, when the Rock Island Railroad was built through that place, and also spent two years in Tipton. He was twice married and by his first wife had two children, James P. and Welcome M. On the 20th of March, 1850, he wedded Miss Belinda Linsey, who was born in Middletown, Illinois, February 3, 1833, and died on the 8th of July, 1904. She had survived her husband for some years, for he passed away August 10, 1884. By this union there were four children: William, now a resident of Tipton; Ida May, the widow of L. T. Munn and a resident of Cedar Rapids; Ulysses S. Grant and S. C., twins, the former a resident of Tipton. The father was one of the most prominent and influential representatives of the republican party in his community and was called upon to fill various township offices of honor and trust and also served as deputy sheriff of the county.

Upon the farm which he now occupies, S. C. Baker grew to manhood, early becoming familiar with the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturalist. He remained on the home place until 1890, when he rented his farm and removed to Tipton, where he was engaged in the livery business for about ten years. For some time after disposing of his property there he practically lived retired and about four years ago returned to the farm upon which he was born, owning two hundred and forty acres on section 18, which is a part of the old homestead, consisting of seven hundred and sixty acres. He has given to his place the name of Homestead Farm and has made many useful and valuable improvements upon it, so that it is particularly adapted for general farming and the breeding of stock, as he devotes considerable attention to the raising of shorthorn cattle.

Mr. Baker was married in 1892, the lady of his choice being Miss Nettie Atkinson, who was born in Illinois on the 24th of December, 1854, but was residing in Oskaloosa, Iowa, at the time of their marriage. She is a daughter of Ralph Atkinson. Three children blessed this union, namely: Roy, who died at the age of twelve years; and Gertrude and Genevieve, at home.

Mr. Baker is a member of the Prairie Bell Grange and is quite prominent fraternally, belonging to the Masonic lodge at Rochester, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knight of Pythias at Tipton. He stands high in the esteem of his professional brethren and wherever known is held in high regard. He is a worthy representative of one of the oldest and most prominent families of the county that for sixty-five years has been actively identified with its upbuilding and development.