Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Baker, Henry J 1864 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com April 29, 2006, 4:04 pm

Author: History of Grundy County IL 1914

Baker, Henry J. - has been identified with the interests of Vienna Township 
for more than a quarter of a century and has contributed to its material 
progress and prosperity to an extent surpassed by but few of his 
contemporaries. One of the large land owners of the township, he has also 
advanced the general welfare by his connection with public interests, and his 
life furnishes a striking example of the wise application of sound principles 
and safe conservatism. Mr. Baker is a native of La Salle County, Ill., and was 
born October 14, 1864, a son of Henry T. and Lena (Gebeke) Baker, of Hanover, 
Germany. In 1859 Henry T. Baker took a sailing vessel to New Orleans, La., and 
after a few months in that city came up the Mississippi river, and located in 
Illinois, starting to work by the month. In 1863 having accumulated enough 
money, he sent for his sweetheart, who was awaiting his summons, in Germany, 
and upon her arrival they were married at Ottawa, Ill. Succeeding this Mr. 
Baker rented land for two years and then moved to a farm in Vienna Township, 
Grundy County, which was then but poorly improved. Here the remainder of his 
life was passed, and when he died, in 1905, he was the owner of 300 acres of 
highly-improved land on the home place, in addition to eighty acres in 
Livingston County, Ill. The mother passed away in the fall of 1912. Mr. and 
Mrs. Baker were the parents of these children: Henry J.; Sophia, who married 
Herman Smith, of Livingston County, Ill.; William F., residing in Vienna 
Township; George, of Whiteside County, Ill.; and Emma, who died at the age of 
nine years.

Henry J. Baker was given good educational advantages, attending the German 
school at Ottawa for one year and the Vienna Township public schools. He 
resided with his parents until his marriage, March 17, 1889, to Adella Bush, 
who was born in this township, a daughter of George Bush, of Germany. After 
his marriage, Mr. Baker moved to his father's north farm, on which he resided 
for two years, at the end of which time his parents removed to Streator and he 
took up his residence on the home farm. At his father's death he inherited 160 
acres of this land, and to it he has since added eighty acres, he and his sons 
working all of this land, in addition to eighty acres which he rents. He is a 
skilled, progressive farmer, modern in his ideas and methods, and is an 
excellent judge of stock. Mr. Baker's high position in the esteem of his 
fellows evidences the fact that he has led a life of integrity and honorable 
dealing. He is a faithful member of the Lutheran Church, and has shown 
independent tendencies in politics. He has not cared for public office, but 
for twelve years discharged the duties of citizenship by serving as a member 
of the board of school directors. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Baker: Frederick W., Clara Anna M., Lena C., Jesse G., Louis E. and A. Irene M.

pages 757-758

Additional Comments:
Source:  History of Grundy County, Illinois, Chicago: Munsell Publishing Co. 
Publishers; 1914

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