Charles D. Baker

As printed in 1916

CHARLES D. BAKER.

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

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Will

;""' 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 History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions : with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families (1916). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.