The Baker Families of Otter Tail County, Minnesota

CHARLES D. BAKER.

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1 charles D. Baker was born on August 10. [848, at Orrington, Maine,

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;""' ft ' third year. His wife had preceded him in death many years, her death having been caused 1>\ consumption. There were six children born to Mr., and Mrs. Joseph D. Baker, of whom two, Alonzo and Edward, died while serving their country in the Union army during the Civil War; Charles D., the subject of this sketch; Jefferson, who is a tailor at Bangor, Maine; Arthur. who is a banker at Deer Creek, and Helen, who died of consumption in 1885. Until he was seventeen years old, Charles D. Baker lived at home with his parents and attended school. Tn 1868 lie was graduated from the Bucksport Seminary and immediately thereafter came West on account of his health. He found employment as a bookkeeper in Moulton's nursery, where he worked for five years and then entered the government employ as a detective and as deputy United States marshall for the state of Minnesota, continuing in the latter form of service lor seven years, at the end of which time he moved to Alexandria, where he remained for a short time. In 1881 he came tn this county, locating at Bluffton, where he opened a general store. Two years later he moved to Peer (reek and engaged in the mercantile business. In 1885 he moved to Fergus Falls and, until [898, was engaged in the loan business. Seventeen years ago he established a real-estate office in Fergus Falls and since that time has confined his attention entirely to Otter Tail county real estate. Mr. Baker's office is one of the most complete real-estate offices in western Minnesota, being equipped with rdl the latest ideas in descriptive maps and photographs.

Mr. Baker has devoted considerable money, time and study to determine the possibilities of the soil of Otter Tail county. He has made diligent investigation and study of the produce for which this soil is best adapted and has furnished the farmers of Otter Tail county high grades of clover seed, alfalfa and corn, which in turn have brought forth abundant crops. Thousands of dollars have been expended by Mr. Baker in gathering statistics throughout Otter Tail county, and these facts, printed in pamphlet form, have been distributed among the farmers for their guidance. In other words, he has been a pioneer in determining the direction of agricultural development and productions in the county, and. as a pilot, is accorded today,1 foremost rank among the county's leading citizens. On his own initiative and as a private enterprise, lie has done for Otter Tail count) what the United States government i now doing in a larger way for the various states of the Union and fur the county a- 1 whole. The fundamental fact in Mr. Bal er's propaganda is that lie recognized early in his career aa real dealer that agriculture is an exact si ience and that success in this vocation is determined by the possession of accurate, scientific and complete know! edge of dk and productions. In the strictest sense of the word, lie is a:7bl constructive citizen, one who has performed tangible service in behalf of the people of Otter Tail county.

Mr. Baker was married to Almeda Coulter, and to them have been born two children, Roy A. and Addie C. Roy A. Baker is his father's righthand man in business; is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and is keenly interested in the civic, industrial and commercial progress of Fergus Falls, lie married Lillian Morrell. Addie C. Baker married A. P. Stowell and lives in Huron. South Dakota.

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

ARTHUR D. BAKER.

Having been dependent upon his own resource and compelled to accept the more humble lines of work, then rising to the position of cashier of a prosperous bank and becoming a leading business man, prominent in the public affairs of the community, is a record which gives to Arthur D. Baker, the subject of this sketch, a place among the most appreciated and honored citizens of Otter Tail county, Minnesota.

Arthur 1). Baker was born in South Orington, Maine, on February 4. 1858, the son of Joseph D. and Belinda Raker, the father being a native of the state of Maine, where, after his education in the common schools of that state, he engaged in general farming. He later established a grocery and provision store, which he conducted for fifteen years and then, shortly after disposing of his stock in order to retire, he died, survived by his second wife. 1 'aulena (Billington") Raker, his first wife. Belinda, having died mainyears previous. Joseph and Belinda Raker were the parents of live children, Lonzo, Edward, Charles D., Jefferson S. and Arthur David. Lonzo and Edward served in the Civil War, the latter being killed in action.

To the marriage of Joseph and Paulena Baker one son. Frank, was born. Joseph D. Baker, during his life, was one of the best known and one of the most prominent men of his community, having served for two terms as a representative in the state Legislature of Maine. In the more local life he took an active and appreciated part in the affairs of the community. Mr. Baker was a leading member of the Methodist church, and for many years was superintendent of the Sunday school.

Arthur I). Baker, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the common schools of the state of Maine, after which he came to Minnesota, and located, in [876, at Alexandria, where he secured employment in a livery stable, receiving one hundred dollars per year for his services. He afterwards worked as a stationary steam engineer in a flour-mill; he followed that work for some time and then came to Bluffton, Minnesota, where he w. ired with his brother, C. D. Baker, in a general store. Tn 1882 Arthur D. Baker came to Deer Creek, where lie established a general store, which he conducted for sixteen years. In [895 he lost his store and stock as a result of a tornado, after which he became a private banker as the head of the firm known as A. D. Baker & Company, an institution 'which, later. Mr. Baker reorganized and which is now known as the First National Bank of Deer Creek. Minnesota, and in which he is now cashier. In addition to his interest in the hank at Deer Creek. Mr. Baker is the owner of farm lands in the vicinity, as well as being the proprietor of considerable property in Deer Creek. Minnesota.

Tn 1870 Arthur D. Baker was married at Alexandria, Minnesota, to Elizabeth Farquhar, who was a native of the state of Minnesota, and in which state she died on April 6. 1889, being the mother of two children. Herbert J., who married Winona Card, and to whom were born two children. Hazel and Elizabeth; and Harold, who married Marie M. Imsande. to whom was born one child, Louise. I )n September 12. 18(14. Arthur D. Baker was married, secondly, to Etta Woodruff; to this marriage no children were born.

Mr. Baker has been prominent in the public and political life of Deer (reek. Minnesota, having served for sixteen years as town clerk before the town was incorporated, after which he served as president of the town board, as well as serving as school treasurer, an office which he has occupied for more than a quarter of a century. Mr. Baker is a Knight Templar Mas. hi and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, at Deer Creek. The part taken by Arthur D. Baker and his esteemed family, in the town of Deer ('reek and in Otter Tail county, is well known for its helpfulness and unselfish interest in the welfare of the community.

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

Aside from being the owner of a considerable tract of land situated in Alberta, Canada, as well as the proprietor of a farm in Candor township, comprising one hundred and forty-two acres, considerable interest attaches itself to the man whose name heads this biographical sketch in that he is reputed to be the first child born in Lida township.

Harry Baker was born in Lida township, Otter Tail county, on April 15, 1876, the son of Harrison and Lena (Ulven) Baker, the former of whom was born in Clay county, Kentucky, in 1848, and the latter in Norway in 1842. Harrison Baker served valiantly throughout the entire Civil War, having enlisted as a mere lad of thirteen years. After the close of the great struggle, he moved to Ft. Abercrombie, North Dakota, where he was married. Subsequently, in 1874, he removed from North Dakota and settled in Otter Tail county, living at Pelican for a period of one year and then moving to Lida township, where he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of virgin land. He spent his entire life on this homestead, passing away in 1891 at the age of forty-three years. His beloved wife survives him and is now residing at Yergas. To Mr. and Mrs. Baker there were born six children, namely: Robert, Julia. Harry, John, Minnie and George, all of whom are still living.

Reared on his father's homestead and receiving his elementary education in the public schools of his community, Harry Baker, when a lad of but seventeen years of age, removed to North Dakota, where five years later he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land. After spending seven years on this homestead, he then immigrated to Alberta, Canada, purchased six hundred and forty-five acres of land and occupied this land for ten years. In 19 1 2, however, still retaining his Canadian land, he returned to the county of his birth and bought one hundred and forty-two acres in section 34, of Candor township. Since that time he has devoted his attention and efforts to general farming and stock raising.

In 1912 Harry Baker was united in marriage to Emma Hoffman, a native of Otter Tail county, born in Dora township in 1890, and the daughter of Charles and Bertha (Kratzke) Hoffman. Her parents settled in Otter

Tail county in 1882 and are still living in section 5, of Dora township. To Mr. and Mrs. Harry Baker there has been horn one child, [name withheld], born on December 19, 1914.

Mr. Baker is at present serving in the capacity of treasurer of the school board of his township and is serving this position creditably to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the people of the township.

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

AXCEL C. BAKER. M.D.

Prominent in the medical profession of Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is Dr. Axcel C. Baker, who is a native of Rochester, Minnesota, and the son of Ole and Lena (Olson) Baker.

Doctor Baker's father and mother came to America about 1870 and located near Rochester, Minnesota, where the father operated a hardware store for several years. He is now living retired.

Axcel C. Baker obtained his early education at Rochester, Minnesota. Afterward, he attended the University of Minnesota and was graduated from the academic department in 1807. lie made a splendid record at the University of Minnesota and one of which he has every reason to lie very proud. After finishing the academic work at the University of Minnesota, where he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Dr. Baker attended

Northwestern University Medical School, at Chicago, and was graduated from that institution in 1901, receiving the degree of Doctor of.Medicine.

After spending two years in the Wesley hospital, at Chicago, as an inter, he came to Fergus Falls in 1903 and here engaged in the practice of medicine. During the past twelve years his practice has steadily increased and he now enjoys a large and prosperous patronage.

By Doctor Baker's marriage to Catherine Hudson, the daughter of Thomas C. and Eliza Hudson, there have been horn four children, Norman H., Katheryn, Charles E. and Mary.

Doctor Baker is prominent in the Masonic circles of Fergus halls. Being a member of Corner Stone Lodge No. 99. He is also a member of the Park Region Medical Society, the Minnesota State Medical Association and the American Medical Association.

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