Wapello County IA Archives Biographies.....Baker, Frank D. 1860 - 
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 July 14, 2013, 5:14 pm

Source: See Below
Author: S. J. Clarke, Publisher

FRANK D. BAKER.

Among the successful farmers of Richland township is Frank D. Baker, who owns
one hundred and eighty-one acres on sections 26, 35 and 34, Richland township,
all of which is in a high state of cultivation. He gives also considerable
attention to stock-raising. He was born in Richland township, October 24, 1860,
and is a son of L. Taylor and Jane (Hill) Baker, the former a native of Indiana
and the latter of England. The paternal great-grandfather, John Baker, was a
cavalryman in the Revolutionary war. The parents of our subject made their
entrance into Wapello county in 1844 and settled on the farm which our subject
how owns. There the father pursued agricultural labors until his death, passing
away in 1900, his widow following him in 1911. His first house was a log cabin,
and the family lived in that primitive way for several years. In his later years
he operated a flour mill in addition to his farm. He and his wife had six
children: W. J., of Oklahoma; Sarah, who married D. W. Terrell of Virginia; John
H., of Wapello county; Minerva, deceased; F. D., of this review; and Eunice M.
Jane (Hill) Baker taught the first school in Richland township, giving to the
children of the pioneers instruction in the branches of knowledge which best
fitted them for life.

F. D Baker has remained upon the homestead practically all his life. He early
began to assist his father with the work of the fields and when he reached his
majority rented the homestead, later acquiring title thereto. He has always
followed the most modern methods and has proven himself progressive in many
ways, having adopted a number of valuable innovations which have increased the
productivity of his fields. His buildings are in good condition and he has
installed a valuable lot of farm machinery. He specializes in raising horses and
also feeds cattle and hogs for the market.

On November 16, 1887, Mr. Baker married Miss Ellen Neil, who was born in Ottumwa
and is a daughter of Daniel and Eliza (Wilson) Neil, the former of England and
the latter of Ireland. They came to America with their respective parents when
they were vet small children. The father first located in Ohio, but in 1853 came
to Iowa, where he was engaged in the draying business in Ottumwa until the Civil
war. He enlisted with the Iowa Seventh Cavalry and participated in the frontier
fighting with the Indians for about three years. He then returned to Wapello
county, buying a farm in Green township, and there he lived until his death in
1887, his widow surviving him until 1894. In their family were seven children as
follows: William J., of Ottumwa; James A., deceased; Margaret, the wife of J. C.
McCune; Mrs. Baker; Hugh, deceased; Daniel, of Oklahoma; and Elizabeth, who
resides in Ottumwa. Mr. and Mrs. Baker were the parents of six children, of whom
five are living: Maude E., a graduate of the Ottumwa high school in the class of
1908, who married Albert R. Bluhm; L. Taylor, who graduated from the Ottumwa
Commercial college, at home; Jessie M., a graduate of the Ottumwa high school in
the class of 1911, who resides at home and is now engaged in teaching; Margaret
M., attending high school; and Daniel Neil, who is a student of the same
institution. William F. has passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Baker are members of the
Presbyterian church and the former serves as one of the trustees. Politically he
is a democrat and at present renders valuable service as township trustee, while
in former years he served as a school director. He is a member of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Lodge No. 101, and also belongs
to Ottumwa Lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America. He has many friends in
Richland township, all of whom esteem him for his high qualities of character
and because he is a useful and public-spirited citizen.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY IOWA
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME II
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1914



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