bakerw
Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The
Big Bend Country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties,
State of Washington", published by Western Historical Publishing
Co., 1904.
WILLIAM BAKER is one of the wide
awake and well-to-do farmers of Douglas county. He resides about
twelve miles northeast from Waterville, upon an estate of a half section,
part of which he acquired by purchase and part by government right.
The farm produces cereals, mostly. The few years he has resided here,
Mr. Baker has been known as one of the thrifty and wise farmers, whose
success proclaims his ability and tenacity, better than words can tell.
William Baker was born in Tippecanoe county,
Indiana, on September 8, 1855. The father, Alexander B., was born
in London, England and came to the United States quite young, settling
as a pioneer in Indiana, where he married Martha Boggs, a native of Ohio.
Our subject was educated in a log cabin school house in Indiana and there
remained until he had arrived at manhood's estate. In 1881, he went
to Missouri, settling in Atchison county and was known as one of the industrious
tillers of the soil there until 1888, which was the year that marks his
advent to Douglas county. He at once took a homestead where he resides
at present and since that time has remained constantly engaged in general
farming and stock raising. Mr. Baker has one sister, Ella, and one
brother, David.
In Atchison county, Missouri, on February
4, 1882, occurred the marriage of William Baker and Miss Laura Smith.
Her parents were Abner and Ersley (Bovee) Smith, natives of Tennessee and
Indiana, respectively. Mrs. Baker was born in Atchison county, Missouri,
July 2, 1866 and has the following brothers and sisters, Frank, Tulley,
Mrs. Ella Jackson, Mrs. Nancy Payne, Mrs. Mary Jackson, Mrs. Matilda Mutchlor,
Mrs. Cora Randles and Mrs. Minnie Van Dusen. The children born to
our subject and his wife are named as follows: Jennie M., born on July
1, 1885 and now the wife of J. M. Shepperson, both residing in this county;
Catherine C., born on February 11, 1888. Both daughters are natives
of Atchison county, Missouri.
In religious persuasion our subject belongs
to the Baptist denomination but is not an active communicant with any church.
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