The Baker Families of Wyandot County, Ohio

JACOB BAKER, son of Peter and Leah (Martsell) Baker, was born in Cumberland County, Penn., October 19, 1816. He remained at home till his marriage, March 1, 1838, to Mary A. Ramp, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Worst) Ramp. They had three children — Ann M. (deceased), \Yilliam and David — the two boys both soldiers in the late war. Mr. Baker rented land for many years, but in 1852 he came by wagons to Ohio, with three children — Ann M. dying on the way. They buried her in Wayne County, Ohio. He located near Bucyrus, where they resided until 1860, when they purchased their present farm of eighty acres, paying $750. This farm they have cleared and improved by good buildings, etc., and now valued at $75 per acre. Mr. Baker has been a hard working, temperate man. He is a Republican and member of the Church of God. Mi's. Baker has acted well her part, for many years spinning flax and wool to make clothes for the family.

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

WILLIAM BAKER, son of Jacob Baker, was born in Cumberland County, Penn., November 29, 1840. He remained at home till 1864, when he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and took part in the battle of Franklin, Tenn., subsequently being engaged in garrison duty, receiving his discharge in July, 1865. He was married, December 27, 1866, to Miss Malinda Starr, daughter of John and Eva (Bryner) Starr, natives of Virginia. They came to this county in 1835, and entered land in Ridge Township, their children being Malinda,

Sarah A., Mary A. and Martha J., Malinda being the only surviving member of the family. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Baker are Minerva J., September 23, 1867; Alvin E., July 20, 1869; Harrison S., March 9, 1875; Ida M., April 29, 1877; Charles F., October 14, 1879. Mr. Baker rented land till Mrs. Baker inherited 120 acres (to which they have added forty), where they now reside. They also own 160 acres in Ridge Township, 120 of which were inherited. Their farm is in good condition, well stocked and provided with good buildings. Mr. Baker is a Republican; he served as Clerk of Ridge Township two years; is a member of the Grange and Trustee of the Building Association at Wharton, both he and Mrs. Baker being members of the Church of God, with which he was formerly officially connected.

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

DAVID L. BAKER was born in Cumberland County, Penn., April 3, 1843, son of Jacob and Mary Baker. (See sketch.) He was employed on the farm at home till 1862, when he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and entered the war. He was engaged at Winchester (two battles), Martinsburg, Berryville, Snicker's Gap, New Market, Cedar Creek, Fisher's Hill, Hatcher's Run and High Bridge. He was captured at Winchester in June, 1863, and confined one month at Libby Prison and Belle Isle He was also captured at the latter place, but was released three days later on account of Lee's surrender, receiving his discharge June 12, 1865. Returning home he was married, December 25, 1865, to Emaline F. Coates, daughter of Norris B. and Mary A. Coates; she died October 16, 1880, leaving live children — Florence B., Elma E., Nellie M., Minnie I., Wilbur R. and Wilson R. — the latter deceased. Mr. Baker was again married, May 9, 1882, to Sarah J. Kitzmiller, widow of James Kitzmiller, and daughter of Jacob Guise. They have one child — Mary E. Mr. Baker purchased his present farm of forty acres in 1866; he erected a large barn in 1883, and has made many other improvements, now valuing his farm at $3,500. In politics, Mr. Baker is a Republican. He is a member of the Grange and Secretary of the Building Association at Wharton; also a member of the Church of God.

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

SAMUEL BAKER was born in Columbiana County May 29, 1819. He is the son of John and Catharine (Mummery) Baker, both natives of Adams County, Penn., and of German lineage. The children of these parents numbered ten in all, of whom but six are living — Elizabeth, Abraham, Jonas, Isaac, Samuel and Lydia, The deceased are Sarah, William, Catharine and Moses. At the age of fifteen Mr. Baker left school to engage in daily labor at the carpenter's trade and other work. He was married to Miss Susannah Zimmerman, daughter of Peter and Sarah (Kennel) Zimmerman. Mrs. Baker was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, December 29, 1820. Eight children are the fruits of this union: Peter J., Andrew J., David S., Sarah C., Simon Z., Mary F. (deceased), Henry O. and William L. After marriage Mr. Baker followed the occupation of weaver and carpenter till 1861, when he moved to Jackson Township, Wyandot County, Ohio, and settled upon a farm of 100 acres. By long years of industrious toil he has succeeded in placing most of this land in a state of cultivation, and is now the possessor of a comfortable home. In politics he is independent, believing that the safety of the Government depends most upon those principles.

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

A gallant ex-soldier and one of the most prominent and respected middle-aged farmers of Sycamore township, Wyandot county. Ohio, is Job Baker, who was born in Seneca county, this state. March 27. 1843, and has been a farmer all his life. His parents. Richard Baker and Fannie (Wheeler) Baker, were born in Steuben county, X. Y.. on neighboring farms, grew from childhood to maturity as playmates, and were there married in 1836.

Richard Baker first came to Ohio in 1835 and bought four hundred acres of wild land in the woods of Seneca county, then returned to New York, secured as a prize his wife, and at once came back to Seneca county. Tn due time he cleared off three hundred and twenty acres of his land, converting it intoone of the finest farms in the county. He was a very influential man in his township, was a Republican in politics after the disintegration of the Whig part, but would never accept a public office. He and his wife were active workers in the Methodist Episcopal church, in the faith of which she passed away in 1887 and he in

1889. They left a family of six children, who were born in the following order: Silas, now farming in Dickerson county, Kan.; Frank, now judge of the petit court. Chicago. 111., but in 1868-70 prosecuting attorney in Seneca county, Ohio; Job, who is the subject proper of this sketch; Grattan H.. farming on the old place in Seneca county; Ralph, a farmer in Decatur county. Iowa; and Richard W.. farming in Eden township. Seneca county. Ohio.

Job Baker lived with his parents until his enlistment, August 21. 1861. in Company E, Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he was assigned to the Southwestern army. He bore a brave and faithful part in all the marches, skirmishes and battles in which his regiment was engaged and endured all the hardships of a soldier's life with unconquerable fortitude until he received an honorable discharge in September. 1863.

On his return from the service of his country Mr. Baker again made his home with his parents until 1864, when he began prospecting for a home of his own. November 14, 1865. he married Miss Eliza Nichols, a native of Virginia and a daughter of Henry and Margaret (Lemaster) Nichols, who came to Ohio in 1848. and first located in Tiffin, Seneca county, and later in Wyandot county, where Mr. Nichols followed the vocations of miller and farmer.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Baker has been graced with seven children, namely: Mary, married to Lincoln Rhodes, of Melmore; Maud, who died in March. 1000. the wife of William Sheets: Wheeler, who served twenty months in Company K. Forty-third U. S. Volunteers, at Manilla. Philippine Islands; Monroe, a railroad man in Kansas City. Kan.; Nora and Frank, at home: and Fannie, who died in 1892.

After marriage Mr. Baker located in Lykens, Crawford county, Ohio, -where he purchased a farm of one hundred and forty acres, on which he resided eight years, when he sold his place and returned to Sycamore township, Wyandot county. He there bought a farm in section 5, on which he lived until 1887, when he again sold out and entered into the grain and elevator business in the village of Sycamore, which he followed for two years. He then purchased his present farm of forty acres, formerly known as the Griffith place, where he is now prospering as a general farmer.

Mr. Baker is an honored member of tile F. & A. M., having been made a Mason in Mel more Lodge, Xo. 310, and is also a member of Jaqueth Post. G. A. R., at Sycamore. His wife is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to the support of which she freely contributes and in the interests of which she neglects no opportunity in promoting. In the social circles of the village and township they hold a high position, their individual merits having won for themselves the unfeigned esteem of the entire community.

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