Job Baker

As printed in 1902

JOB BAKER.

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 Biographical memoirs of Wyandot County, Ohio : to which is appended a comprehensive compendium of national biography ... embellished with portraits of many national characters and well known residents (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.