In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1829
From History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time; (1911)
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 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.
The printed record stops around 1911. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.