Des Moines Tribune

Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa

April __, 1955

GREAT-GRANDMOTHER, AT 83, TOO BUSY TO BE LONELY

by Herb OWNS

GRAND RIVER, IA. – Living alone in the biggest house in town – an 11-room pine-shaded brick mansion at the head of Main street – Mrs. Hannah BAKER, 83, never has a moment’s time for lonesomeness. That’s the way she likes it.

Mrs. BAKER, a native of London, England, lives in a constant whirl of activity – clubs, church, lodge, social function, and her hobbies.

Since her eightieth birthday, on Dec. 12, 1951, when a host of relatives and friends filled a church to honor her, Mrs. BAKER has produced six full-sized crocheted bed spreads. Since last Christmas she’s crocheted dozens of doilies, knitted an over-sized afghan, and sewed a large appliquéd and embroidered quilt.

For distribution last Christmas, she had knitted 20 fancy handbags; the ones she gave away brought “orders” from others who wanted similar pieces.

Besides the needlework, Mrs. BAKER cares for a house full of plants and flowers – begonias, African violets, cacti and others. Comes warm weather and she transplants most of her foliage plants to outdoor gardens.

Meanwhile, Mrs. BAKER keeps up all sorts of duties and activities. Treasurer of the Order of Eastern Star the last nine years, she finds such bookkeeping difficult with weakened eyes – but the lodge women insist on re-electing her.

CHURCH GROUP

Mrs. BAKER wears an attractive gold pin in the shape of a cross. It signifies life membership in the Women’s Society for Christian Service, a Methodist Church club which a few years ago replaced Ladies Aid Society and missionary groups. Mrs. BAKER was treasurer of W.S.C.S. and Ladies Aid for more than 30 years.

Every two weeks, Mrs. BAKER attends the evening sessions of a canasta club. This mixed group is one of four social clubs in which the Grand River great-grandmother is a regular member and an active one.

Mrs. BAKER never misses the church and Sunday school services.

Every day, Mrs. Ruby FOLAND, a daughter who lives on a nearby farm, calls Mrs. BAKER to learn if all’s okay – and it always is. Mrs. FOLAND gets a grocery list, does the shopping and brings her mother’s mail from the post office.

ROUND-ROBIN

The day’s a red-letter one when the mail includes a round-robin document – actually about 10 separate letters – which is in constant circulation among Mrs. BAKER’S relatives and friends.

Besides Mrs. FOLAND, Mrs. BAKER has another daughter, Mrs. Pearl WILSON of Ute, and two sons, Arthur BAKER, Des Moines grocer, and Clarence BAKER, in California. There are 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Born in England, daughter of a farmer near London, Mrs. BAKER was only 8 months old when her parents came to a farm hear Dyersville, in northeast Iowa. She was 10 when the family moved to Decatur County.

WEDS at 21

At 21, Hannah STREET became the bride of Richard BAKER, a farmer. The BAKERS farmed in Decatur county about 17 years before moving to Grand River where BAKER opened a hardware store.

After several years, the store was destroyed by fire – and BAKER retired. He died a few years ago.

The big old house, into which they moved in 1910, was built by Mrs. BAKER’S uncle who operated a pioneer lumber yard here. The half-dozen tall pines in the yard were set out when the home was built, probably 70 years ago.

SOURCE: genealogical clippings and notes of Pearle Veva (BRAMON) FOLAND