THEODORE S. BAKEN

Theodore Baken & Family

Theodore S. Baken is a well known business man of Kensett, where he is engaged in dealing in coal and in live stock. He was born in Fillmore county, Minnesota, June 10, 1868, a son of Sigurd and Chresti (Moen) Baken, both of whom were natives of Norway, the former having been born in Telemarken and the latter in Sigedal. The father came to the United States in early life and established his home in Fillmore county, Minnesota, where he engaged in farming. It was after his arrival in that county that he wedded Chresti Moen, who had come to the United States subsequent to the emigration of her future husband. The father devoted his remaining days to general farming and was a worthy and respected citizen of Fillmore county.

Theodore S. Baken remained in his native county until he reached the age of nine years, when with his mother he came to Iowa, the father having previously passed away. They settled in Lincoln township, Worth county, where the family followed farming, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land, upon which the family home was maintained until 1910, when they removed to Kensett. In the meantime Theodore S. Baken had attended the public schools and had also pursued a course in a business college in Des Moines, Iowa, for a year. He afterward returned to Kensett, where he joined his brother-in-law, T. C. Thompson, in farming, which they continued for five years. He then became manager for the Farmers Elevator Company, in which responsible position he continued for six years, and at the same time he was also engaged in the live stock business as buyer for the firm of Eckert & Williams of North-wood. He was thus engaged until ,1910, when he embarked in his present business, buying out the firm of Eckert & Williams of Northwood, for whom he had formerly operated in Kensett. He is now successfully engaged in dealing in live stock and also conducts a coal yard and deals in cement and tile. His affairs are carefully directed and his business management and enterprise are bringing to him gratifying success.

On the 21st of October, 1894, Mr. Baken was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Dagmar Edwardson, a daughter of Ole and Betsy Edwardson. Mrs. Baken was born in Mitchell county, Iowa, her father being one of the leading farmers and prominent early settlers of that locality. To .Mr. and Mrs. Baken have been born two children, Thero Ludwig and Leonidas Arvill.

Mr. Baken is a stalwart republican in his political views and fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and with the Knights of Pythias. He has served as a member of the city council of Kensett for many years and is always actively and helpfully interested in projects which have to do with the upbuilding of the community and the advancement of its interests along material, intellectual, social, political and moral lines.

SOURCE: HISTORY OF MITCHELL AND WORTH COUNTIES, IOWA, 1918, VOL. II; PAGES 138-143

Transcribed by Gordon Felland, September 12, 2006