Obituary and Card of Thanks for Uncle John Baker, Chilton, Alabama http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/chilton/obits/jbaker.txt ==================================================================== USGENWEB PROJECT NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store this file permanently for free access. This file was contributed by: Carla Baker Cunningham ==================================================================== February 2003 Union Banner, Thursday, May 13, 1915 DEATH OF UNCLE JOHN BAKER With the late death of Uncle John Baker, is marked the breaking of another link in the already weak chain that connects the pioneer days of this Section of the State with the present time. Uncle John (as he was familiarly known all over the County) was one of the few men living in the present period of time whose lives date back of the history of Chilton County, and hold together transactions of those days and the doings of our modern times. The worthy gentlemen to whose memory these few words are meant as a tribute, was born in South Carolina in the year 1825, making him at the time of his death, 89 years old. He came to what is now Chilton County (then Autauga, later known as Baker County) with his parents while he was in his infancy. They settled near the present site of the town of Clanton and have lived here ever since, growing into one of the largest and most prominent family trees in this section of Alabama. At the age of 18 years, he was married to Miss Phariby Mims, who died in 1900. They became the parents of 10 children, 8 boys and 2 girls, all of whom died prior to the demise of their Father, except the two boys, they being the oldest and the youngest of the children. But all the children lived to marry and rear families in this County. At the time death came to him, Uncle John could look around him and see his own descendents down to the 5th generation. His death was caused by no special ailment. It was the result of infirmities caused by his advanced age. His remains were entered at Walnut Creek Cemetery, Thursday, April 29th, the burial being carried out according to his own specifications and designs. Rev. F. A. Gibson officiated at the ceremony, in the presence of hundreds of relatives and friends. There are so many things, which could be said in honor of the good man's life, but after all, they would merely be the repetition of the estimation, which he held in the minds of and acquaintances of practically every man in this County. He was probably more universally known than any other man in this section, and was equally honored and respected. His life as a whole was a sober, honest, honorable and up right one. He loved his Country and cherished the friendships of his fellows. In all things, he was far- sighted and reliable, and his judgment could be trusted. As a proper conclusion to these last words in his memory, it may truly be said that Uncle John Baker was a MAN, and anything that in any way concerted a man, always found him ready to respond to the call of his duty to Right, to Justice, and to God. Many a life has been touched by his at some time or other. Many of them are still on the road to destiny, bearing evidence of his influences. A voice rises from all of them now, and may he be permitted to know, in his occupancy of his reward, that they wish peace to his ashes.(Author Unknown) CARD OF THANKS We wish to thank our many friends who aided us during the sickness and death of our beloved Father John Baker. May God's richest blessings fall upon them is our prayer. Mr. and Mrs. John Baker, Jr.