Fred L. Baker, who carries on general farming and stock-raising upon a tract of land of one hundred and twenty acres on section 15, Mount Pleasant township, which has come into his possession as the result of the energy and capable management he has displayed in earlier years, was born in Tipton, Cedar county, Iowa, October 9,1861 his parents being Jason L. and Martha Van Meter Baker, native of New York and Ohio respectively. The father came to Whiteside county over sixty years ago. After living here for a time, he removed to Iowa but later returned to this county, where he made his home until his death in December, 1877, when he was forty years of age. His widow still resides at Sterling, at the age of sixty-six years. They were married in Tipton, Iowa, where the father carried on work at the carpenter’s trade. In fact throughout his entire life he was thus identified with building operations. His widow, a most remarkable lady, holds membership with the Fourth Street Methodist Episcopal church. Their family numbered five children: Etta J., who became the wife of Andrew Knox and died in November, 1884; Fred L., of the review; Will H., who is married and resides in San Diego, California, where he carries on business as a contractor and builder; Bert F., who at one time taught school and was superintendent of schools at Chadwick and afterward at Warren, Illinois, for five years but now resides near Minot, North Dakota, where he follows farming, although in the meantime he engaged in the insurance business; and Cora Belle, who died in 1881, at the age of eleven years.
Fred L. Baker was reared in Whiteside county and attended the public schools at Unionville, where he received instruction in the branches of learning that usually constitute the public-school curriculum. He has followed farming throughout his entire life. In 1894 he purchased his present place, known as the Henry Knox farm. Much of the improvement here has been done by Mr.Baker, who keeps in touch with modern ideas of progressive agriculture. He uses the latest farm machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and annually produces large crops, which indicate that the methods employed in carrying on his farm are of a most practical character.
In March, 1886, Mr. Baker was untied in marriage to Miss Etta Stone, a native of Prophetstown township, and a daughter of Reed and Esther Garrison Stone, who came very early to Whiteside county. Here the father engaged in farming and later removed to Michigan but subsequently came again to this county, where he died in June, 1894, at the age of seventy-nine years. His wife passed away in 1897, at the age of seventy-three years. Mr. Stone had served as school director and was interested in all that pertained to up-building and progress here. He and his wife had come to the west from the state of New York and their personal worth was indicated by the high regard in which they were uniformly held. They had a family of nine children, seven sons and two daughters. Nelson, now a farmer of South Dakota, married Miss Potter and has a family. Sarah married Orrin Moran and lives in Michigan. Charles, who wedded Rosetta Moran, is a resident farmer of Michigan. Arthur makes his home at Spring Hill in this county. Philip, who married Miss Digby, is employed in the wire mills at Rock Falls. Mrs. Baker is the next of the family. Erastus, who married Miss Wilson, of Morrison, is employed in the Keystone Mills at Rock Falls. Carson, who wedded Miss White, is a barber of Battle Creek, Iowa. Harry, who married Miss Rosetta Crump, of Mount Pleasant township, this county, is now located in Nebraska.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Baker has been blessed with two sons and a daughter: Clarence L., who at the age of twenty-one years, aids in the operation of the home farm; Vernon L., who at the age of sixteen years is attending the Mount Pleasant high school; and Edna B., twelve years of age, also a student in the schools.
Politically Mr. Baker is independent, supporting men and measures rather than party. He has been school director for many years and is now serving as highway commissioner, which office he has filled for two years. In this position he is giving excellent service and has done much to improve the public highways. Socially he is connected with the Modern Woodmen camp of Morrison and his wife is a member of the Mystic Workers and also of the Woman’s Relief Corps, and she attends the Methodist Episcopal church. While a native of Iowa, Mr. Baker has spent the greater part of his life in this county and the fact that many of his warmest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time is an indication that his has been an active, upright career.
Contributed by Amy Anderson from the History Of Whiteside County
