born to Winfield Montgomery Baker and Betsy Ann (Berry) Baker on 11 Jan 1887 on a farm in Burr Oak Twp., Winneshiek Co. He married Lula Josephine Taylor in 1907. The became the parents of Florence Hegtvedt, Pauline Bakken, Stephen, Alice Lubke, Robert and Virginia Faldet.

On their 160 acres in Madison Twp., they raised sheep, dairy cows, hogs and horses. Lula cared for the chickens and turkeys They raised most of their fruit and vegetables, having apple and plum trees, strawberries and a large garden.

During his life Stewart planted large numbers of trees. Not only his own windbreak, orchard and vineyard, but he also assisted other family members in planting windbreaks and landscaping.

Stewart was one of the first farmers in the area to recognize the value of alfalfa and its usefulness as feed and for adding nitrogen to the soil. He realized the importance of building top soil.

He was one of the persons who helped bring the R.E.C. (Rural Electrification Corporation) to Winneshiek Co. Stewart served on the R.E.C. Board from its beginning in the 1930’s until his death in 1965.

Stewart was a member of the Fair Board and spent countless hours improving the 4-H Building on the fair grounds. He served on many of the United Methodist Church boards. He and Lula furnished chickens for the church’s Baker Chicken Dinners for over 25 years.

At the time of Lula’s death in 1961, Stewart started the Lula Baker Mission Trust Fund. Others also have contributed to the fund so it has grown substantially and now is a major part of the church’s mission work.

Many of their descendants are farming in this area today and carrying on many of the traditions that Stewart believed in.

Bakke, Halstein Nilson and Torgunn (Hov)

(Mildred Kjome)

Halstein Nilson Bakke was born 16 Jul 1814, the eldest child of Nils H. and Johanna E. (Dyrdal) Bakke. He grew up at Bakke near Gudvangen on the Naeroyfjord in Sogn, Norway. He had a government contract to carry mail by boat along the Naeroy-, Aurland-, and Sognafjords. He married Marta Iversdtr. Loven from near Vangen, Aurland in Sogn. In 1854 Halstein and Marta with 3 children, Johanna, Maria and baby Nels Halsteinson, emigrated to America. Marta took sick with cholera and died during the crossing of the Great Lakes. She is buried in either Lake Ontario or Lake Michigan.

Halstein landed in the area of Milwaukee, Wl in July and remained in the Stoughton area for about 4 months before continuing west to Iowa. He walked,all the way to IA carrying his tiny son Nels, about 1 year old, and leading his 2 daughters, Johanna age 14 and Maria age 10. They headed for Lansing, IA and the Sogna settlement at Washington Prairie where they had relatives. When they arrived they found that Nils’ father had died in March of that year. They stayed in the Sogna settlement with his brother until 1858 when they moved to a property in Highland Twp. owned by Nils’ cousin, Erik O. Bakke, just south of where the Highland Church stands today. Halstein's brother-in-law, Lars Anderson Bakke, also lived in that neighborhood. Halstein continued to farm in this area until his death.

Torgunn A. Hov, wife of Halstein N. Bakke with Caroline Larson (Wenne)

Halstein took the name NELSON for his family name. In 1863 he married Torgunn Andersdtr. Hov, aunt of his two sons-in-law Nels Nelson Kjomme, Jr. and Tosten Gullikson Anderson. Halstein Bakke Nelson died 6 Mar 1875 and is buried at Big Canoe in Pleasant Twp. Torgunn Andersdtr. used the name Kjomme as she lived on the Kjomme farm with her sister’s family. She died Sep 1895. His children: Johanna Halsteinsdtr. Bakke, married Nels Nelson Kjomme, Jr; Maria Halsteinsdtr. Bakke, married Tosten G. Anderson; Nels Halstein (N.H.) Nelson, married Barbara Marie Foss.

Bakke, John and Martha (Aaker)

(Elsie Rosendaht)

John P Bakke was born 15 Mar 1866 in FrankvilleTwp., Winneshiek Co., IA. He was the son of Peder Olsen and Ingeborg (Running) Bakke. His father was born 11 Mar 1835 at the village of Bakke, Aurland, Sogn, Norway and died 27 Oct 1917 in Winneshiek Co. Peder and Ingeborg were married 30 Oct 1856 in America.

John’s brothers and sisters were: Ole (18 Apr 1857-28 Dec 1872); Gilbert (23 Jun 1859-11 Jul 1940); Henry (29 Mar 1861 -15 May 1892); John (7 May 1864-23 May 1864); Edward (9 Mar 1869-24 Nov 1935); and Alice (14 Dec 1871-6 Aug 1963).

John married Martha Aaker. Martha, the daughter of Elling B. and Anna (Quale) Aaker, was born 20 Oct 1868 in Pleasant Springs Twp., Dane Co., Wl. Her father was born 12 May 1837 in Norway and died in 1922 in Dunkirk Twp., Dane Co., Wl. Her mother was born in Norway in 1845 and died in 1919 in Dunkirk Twp. Elling and Anna were married 13 Jun 1868 in Pleasant Springs Twp. They belonged to the Norwegian Lutheran Church in