JOHN T. BAKER
The Ottawa Weekly Republic, May 12, 1904
JOHN
T. BAKER DEAD.
Mr. Baker was one of the
pioneers of Franklin and his sturdy activity and enterprise have been invaluable
factors in building up his flourishing section of the county. Nor was his
work and influence for improved conditions local. He was broad-gauged and
he entered into the affairs of the whole community with an energy and
intelligence that was wide-spread in beneficial results.
He was born in Putnam county,
Ind., March 2, 1843, and later removed to Jackson county, Mo., where he resided
with his parents for a year. He came with them to Franklin county in
October 1855. His father, Joshua Baker, located in Potawatomie township
and John T. assisted him in farming until 1868, when he began on his own
account. In 1875 he moved to the farm he has owned and occupied since, a
considerable tract. He engaged extensively in breeding high grades of
short-horn cattle and Poland-China hogs. He enlisted Aug. 30, 1862 in
Company D, 12th Kansas Infantry, and was mustered out in July, 1865.
Mr. Baker was clerk of his
township three terms, and in 1879 was elected a county commissioner. He
served two terms. He was elected to the state legislature in 1894 and
again in 1898.
He was married in Douglas county,
March 4, 1874, to Hattie Ashby, who with two daughters and a son survive him.
The funeral was held at Baker M.
E. church Monday at 11 o’clock; interment in Baker cemetery.