The Baker Families of Muscatine County, Iowa

Among the successful citizens of Muscatine is Elijah Baker, a man whose career is a remarkable exemplification of the effect of courage based on good judgment and executive ability. He was born in Rockingham, Virginia, June 8, 1842, and is a son of Elijah and Lucinda (McCloud) Baker. The father, who was also a native of Rockingham, came to Muscatine, Iowa, in the spring of 1866 and lived upon a farm until his death, which occurred in 1872. The grandfather of our subject was of English descent. He had a brother who was in the Revolutionary war and in battle was scalped by an Indian. When found he was lying with his face to the ground, having with great presence of mind kept perfectly still, and he thus escaped with his life. The great-grandfather was an English sailor. The mother of our subject was of Scotch descent. She was born in Virginia and died in Muscatine county in 1872, the same year in which her husband passed away. They were both buried in Greenwood cemetery. There were seven children in their family: Joseph, John and Samuel, all deceased; R. M., a resident of California; Margaret, who became the wife of John Dougherty and is now deceased; William, deceased; and Elijah, our subject.

Elijah Baker was educated in Virginia and at nineteen years of age enlisted April 18, 1861, in a volunteer company. He first served under General Stonewall Jackson, being a member of the Tenth Virginia Regiment of Voluneers, which he joined for one year. During this period he became convinced that the Union should be preserved and that it was his duty to assist in upholding the stars and stripes. Accordingly, he came north and assisted in raising Company M, Twelfth Ohio Volunteers, of which he was appointed drill master.

Later he was made first duty sergeant and after he had still further demonstrated his capacity as a soldier he was commissioned as second lieutenant of his company. His regiment assisted in terminating guerrilla warfare in Kentucky and in driving Morgan out of the field. He participated in the battles of King Salt Works, or Abingdon, Virginia, Mount Sterling and Leesburg, Kentucky, being wounded in the leg at the latter place. Upon recovering from his wound he went to east Teimessee and to Virginia, engaging for three months in almost continuous fighting. He continued in the service until after the war was over and was mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee, November 14, 1865. In 1866 Mr. Baker came to muscatine and devoted his attention for a time to farming but later engaged as contractor in building and in brick paving. In this work he has been highly successful and is the owner of four farms in Muscatine county, a section of land in Kansas and thirty-five houses in Muscatine.

On the 19th of November, 1872, Mr. Baker was united in marriage to Miss Carrie H. Sumner, a native of Virginia. Five children came to bless their home, three of whom are living, Eva, Guy and Cora. Guy lives near Nichols, Iowa. The mother of these children having departed this life July 6, 1908, Mr. Baker was married September 30, 1909, the lady of his choice being Miss Lydia Ditmars, a daughter of William and Mary Ditmars, of New York.

Mr. Baker voted for Abraham Lincoln for president in 1864 and for General U. S. Grant in 1872, but many years ago he changed his political allegiance and gave his support to the democratic party, to which he now adheres. He has never sought public office but he served with great acceptance as city marshal of Muscatine for three years. Socially he is connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is one of the few men living who participated on both sides in the Civil war and, notwithstanding frequent exposure in battle, came out of the conflict without serious injury. No man is better convinced of the justice of the result of that great event than he and none is a better friend of peace. He knows the horrors of war and he has tasted of the blessings of peace. Whether as soldier or citizen Mr. Baker has always attempted to perform his duty. He has a host of friends who have been attracted to him on account of his many qualities.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CYRUS J. BAKER.

In the list of native sons of Muscatine county who have become successful farmers and stockmen must be included the name of Cyrus J. Baker, who was born on the farm where he now resides on the 28th of March, 1855. His parents, Harvey and Harriet (Freeman) Baker, were married in Indiana, of which state the mother was a native, but the father was born in Ohio. In 1845 they removed to Muscatine county, Iowa, and located on part of the farm in Fulton township now owned by Cyrus J. Baker. In the family were six children: George D., a resident of Muscatine; Frank, of Jasper county, Iowa; Mary E., the wife of George Gatton, of Boulder, Montana; Cyrus J.; Anna, who married Thomas Mallicoat, of Newton, Iowa; and Emma, who died at the age of five years. The mother passed away in April, 1894, and was laid to rest in Parr's cemetery and the following January the father was placed beside her.

Cyrus J. Baker's boyhood and youth was very similar to that of other pioneer boys. He attended the district schools of Muscatine county and assisted his father with the work of the farm, his duties and responsibility increasing from year to year. When he was twenty-one years old he leased the homestead and began farming for himself, continuing to cultivate his father's land until 1885, when he bought one hundred and sixty acres. He afterward sold forty acres of this but later added another one hundred and sixty, making his total realty holdings aggregate two hundred and eighty acres. His is one of the valuable farms of the county, and the improvements are all in good condition. He raises a fine breed of stock, making a specialty of the raising and feeding of cattle and hogs, and the well cultivated fields are given the careful supervision which results in abundant and profitable harvests. In addition to his landed interests in Iowa, Mr. Baker owns one hundred and sixty acres in North Dakota.

On the 30th of August, 1877, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Mallicoat, a native of Indiana, who came to Iowa with her people, both of whom are now deceased. One child was born unto them, Roy, a resident of Fulton township, whose birth occurred on the 13th of June, 1878. On the 15th of March, 1880, Mrs. Baker passed away. Five years later, on the 16th of February, 1885, Mr. Baker was married to his present wife. Miss Lettie Watts, who was born in Iowa on the 3d of April. 1865. She is a daughter of John and Elizabeth

(Ringsby) Watts. Her father, who was born in London, England, came to America in 1842 and located in Muscatine county, Iowa, where he met and married Miss Ringsby, a Virginian. After they were married the young people removed to a farm and continued to reside there during the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of eight children: Fannie, the wife of Walter Johnson of Muscatine county; Euphemia, who married Samuel Porter, of Guthrie county, Iowa; George, who is also married and is living in South Dakota; James, residing on the old homestead in Muscatine county; Rosa, wife of John Wunder, Muscatine county; Nellie, who married Andrew Wintermute, of South Muscatine; Mrs. C. J. Baker; and Pantha, who died in infancy. The mother passed away in 1884. but the father survived until 1890, and they are both sleeping in Blue Grass cemetery, Scott county, Iowa. At the time of their death Mr. and Mrs. Watts owned one hundred and twenty acres of finely improved land in Montpelier township, Muscatine county.

Mr. and Mrs. Baker had one child, Fannie, who was born on the 13th of June, i88g, and died on the nth of the following October. Mrs. Baker hold.s membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Baker is identified with the Masonic order, holding membership in Lodge No. 167, A. F. & A. M., at Wilton, Iowa, and the Modern Woodmen of America, his local affiliation being in Hillside Camp, No. 2470, at Blue Grass. Mr. and Mrs. Baker also belong to the Pleasant Prairie Grange of Fulton township. Ever since acquiring the right of suffrage, Mr. Baker has cast his vote for the candidates of the democratic party, although he does not take a particular active part in politics, not being an aspirant to public office. Both he and his wife are highly regarded in their community and have many friends to whom they extend the hospitality of their home.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

IRA G. BAKER.

Ira G. Baker, who is now living in honorable retirement at West Liberty, has made his home here for the past forty-three years, devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career. His birth occurred in Massillon, Stark county, Ohio, on the ist of December, 1829, his parents being Lucius and Catherine (Larue) Baker, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of Pennsylvania. The father passed away at the comparatively early age of thirty-five years and Mrs. Baker subsequently gave her hand in marriage to Marquis Kirkpatrick. Our subject has one sister, Mary Jane.

When a youth of eighteen Ira G. Baker accompanied his mother and stepfather on their removal to Cedar county, Iowa, there residing on a farm until 18; 3. That year witnessed his arrival in Muscatine county, where he has made his home continuously since with the exception of nine years. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted for service in the Union army as a member of Company D, Second Iowa Volunteer Infantry-, remaining with that command for about nine months or until peace was declared. On returning to this county he once more took up the pursuits of civil life, devoting his time and energies to the cultivation of rented land. In 1878 he purchased a residence in West Liberty, where he has made his home while operating dilTerent farms in the vicinity. Now in the evening of life he is living retired, enjoying the fruits of his former toil in well earned ease.

As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Baker those Miss Susan J. Hammer, a daughter of John C. and Catharine Hammer. Mrs. Baker was one of five children, the others being as follows: David, who is deceased; Dennis, who died while serving in the army; Delilah, who is a widow; and Virginia, the wife of William Peterbaugh. Our subject and his wife were also the parents of five children, namely: Rosa C., the wife of George Hormell, who is engaged in the poultry business at West Liberty; Effie, who has passed away; Mary Jane, the wife of Clarence Barnhart, of Oskaloosa, Iowa; Myrta, the widow of Homer Swain; and John H., who is a resident of West Liberty. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in March, 1871.

Mr. Baker is a stanch republican in politics but has never been an office seeker. In religious faith he is a Methodist and his life has ever been in conformity with his professions as a member of that church. He has now reached the venerable age of eighty-one years and well merits the respect and esteem which are uniformly accorded him.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

PHILIP BAKER, farmer. Sec. 25; P. 0. Blue Grass, Scott Co.; born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, tune 8, 1822; came to Scott Qo. in 1837; removed to Muscatine Co. in 1838; his father, J. f. Baker, was a native of Pennsylvania; his mother, Catherine Biker, a native of Virginia; were among the early settlers of the county, where they remained until their death. Mr. P. Baker married Miss Katherine Findley July 13, 1848; born in Augusta Co., Va., Sept. 22, 1822; she came to Ohio with her parents in 1833. and thence to Scott Co., Iowa, in 1847; they have one son and one daughter — James C. and Katherine E., and four deceased — William L., Susannah, John and Albert N. Mr. B. owns 466 acres of land; has improved 200 ares in the county. Democrat.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

R. M. BAKER, of the firm of Baker it Hoover, real estate and loan agents; was born in Kockinghaiu Co., Va., July 26, 1834; he lived there until 1865, when he came to Iowa and located in this county; in 1867, he came to Muscatine, and since then he has been, engaged in business here; in addition to his land and loan business, he carries on the livery business on Front street; he owns the Commercial Hotel property and other city property. He married Miss Mary Ann Sheets, a native of Shenandoah Co., Va.. in lSo5.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.