Cyrus J. Baker

As printed in 1911

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 History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time; (1911). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.