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PIONEER FAMILIES OF MISSOURI Wm. S. Bryan and Robert Rose Printed in 1876
(Note: Remember that the writers were only writing down what the family told them. Some people had faulty memories, and some tended to exaggerate. Jim Baker)
Montgomery County, Missouri Baker - David Baker, son of Robert Baker, of England, married Mary Anderson, in November, 1756, and settled in Norfolk, Va. They had Elizabeth, Mary, Benjamin, David, Robert, Sarah, Dempsey, Thomas, and James. David was born in November, 1763. He married Judith Johnson, and they had Sylvester, Thomas J., and John. Sylvester, who was born in 1791, married the widow of John Johnson, whose maiden name was Elsey Ward, and settled in Montgomery County, Mo. in 1820. His children were Judith, David W., Sylvester Jr., William M., and John F. Capt. John Baker was born in 1795. He married Lizzie Johnson, and settled in Montgomery Co. in 1820. They had Sylvester C., Elsey A., Robert W., John J., Mary K., Judith M., Margaret E., and Dicey B. V. Capt. Baker built a water mill on Loutre creek, and a rather singular circumstance happened to it one day. The mill was running at full speed, with a heavy load of water on, when the wheel suddenly blocked and the machinery stopped with a jar and a crash that shook the mill to its foundation. Upon examining the wheel a large catfish was found in it. The fish was taken out, a handspike run through its gills, and two tall negroes hoisted it on their shoulders and carried it to the house; and it was so long that its tail dragged on the ground. This is a considerable fish story, but it is true.
Baker Robert Baker came from Tennessee to Missouri at a very early date, and was one of the first Methodist preachers in Montgomery county. He organized the first church of that denomination in Montgomery county, at the house of Rev. Drury Clanton, who was also a Methodist preacher. His house was situated on a branch called Pinch, about five miles southwest of Danville, and the church was organized in 1819. Baker was an old revolutionary soldier and drew a pension from the government, all of which he gave to his church and the Sunday-school cause. He had two sons, Jacob and Esau, who were as unlike each other in personal appearance as it was possible for them to be; Jacob being six feet two inches in height, while Esau measured only four feet five inches. The former settled in Callaway county, near Readesville. He had an old yellow dog that he thouht a great deal of, and in order to keep him from running away, he drove a honey locust stake in the yard and tied him fast to it. The stake took root and grew to be a large tree, and its branches cast a grateful shade over the yard and dwelling.
Callaway County, Missouri Basket Martin, James, Jesse, and John Basket were sons of James Basket, Sr. of Nicholas county, Kentucky. Martin and James settled in Callaway county, Missouri, in 1821; Jesse and John married and remained in Kentucky. Martin married Jane Baker, of Kentucky, by whom he had a son and a daughter. James married Mary Baker, of Kentucky, by whom he had five sons and four daughters. Mr. Basket was Circuit clerk of Callaway county for six years. And in 1835 he was elected one of the Judges of the County Court. He was a good man and respected by all who knew him.
Coats Rev. William Coats was born in South Carolina. When grown he removed to Smith county, Tennessee, where he married Nancy Baker, by whom he had James, William, John, Wilson, Hiram, Lemuel B., Rachel, Frankie, Tabitha, Mahala, Nancy, and Laodocea. In 1817 Mr. Coats removed with his family to Callaway county, Mo. And settled on the prairie which has since borne his name. There was no minister in that part of the county at that time, and his neighbors appointed him to preach, which duty he performed at stated intervals until his death. He organized most of the Old Baptist Churches in that region. His son James married Polly Callaway, of Tennessee, by whom he had two children Matthias S. and Laura A. William Coats, Jr. was married first to Patsey Tracy, and second to the widow Mclaughlan, whose maiden name was Celia Callaway. John married Nancy Smith. He was Sheriff of Callaway county for several years and was a good auctioneer. Wilson married a Miss Phillips and moved to California. Hiram married Permelia Walker, and was afterward killed by lightning. Lemeul B. married Elizabeth Maddox. Rachel married Robert Reade, and is now a widow. Frankie married a Mr. McLaughlan. Tabitha married William Callaway. Nancy married Joseph P. Callaway. Laodocea married Daniel Phillips. Callaway Joseph Callaway, of South Carolina, married Polly Barrett, by whom he had John, Nancy, Joseph Jr., Polly, Elizabeth, William, Vinson, Cenia, and Thomas. Mr. Callaway removed to Tennessee in 1804, and in 1818 settled on Coats Prairie in Callaway county. His sons, John and Thomas served in the war of 1812. Thomas married Elizabeth Griffith, and settled on Crow Fork, a branch of Auxvasse creek. During the night of July 4, 1831, there came a very heavy rain, which raised the creek so that it washed away his stable and smoke house. He had a horse in the stable, which by some means, climbed into the loft, got out the window, and swam ashore. The smoke house contained some meat and a barrel of whisky, which Mr. Callaway succeeded in bringing ashore with a sugar trough, which he used as a canoe. Mr. Callaway died some years ago, but his widow is still living.
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