Bedford County PA Archives Biographies.....Baker, Samuel S.     
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Judy Banja jbanja@msn.com May 2003

SAMUEL S. BAKER, who owns and manages one of the finest and 
best equipped farms of Snake Spring township, Bedford 
County, Pa., is an excellent representative of the 
native-born citizens of this place.  A son of the late Jacob 
B. Baker, he was born February 13, 1853.  He comes of sturdy 
pioneer stock, his grandfather, John Baker, having removed 
from Lancaster County, this State, to Bedford County in 
1819.  John Baker located in Bloomfield, where he spent the 
remainder of his life, engaged chiefly in the laborious task 
of clearing land and improving a homestead.
  Jacob B. Baker, who was born in Lancaster County, 
Pennsylvania, in 1817, was but two years of age when he was 
brought by his parents to Bloomfield.  During the days of 
his boyhood and youth it fell to his lot to assist in the 
pioneer work necessary at that time; and, although a 
farmer's life then was not the pastoral existence it seems 
to be to-day, he continued the pursuit of agriculture many 
years.  When a young man he removed to Snake Spring 
township, and soon after his marriage settled on a farm of 
his own, which he conducted with most satisfactory results 
thereafter.  Of the children born of his union with Hannah 
Snyder, of Bedford County, three are now living, namely: 
John S., of Everett, Pa.; Catherine, wife of John P. 
Gouchenour, of North Dakota; and Samuel S., whose personal 
history is given below.
  Samuel S. Baker attended the district schools of Snake 
Spring when young, and the knowledge there acquired he has 
since supplemented by extensive reading.  Early instructed 
in the science and art of agriculture, he proved himself an 
apt pupil, and when called upon to decide his life 
occupation chose that to which he was reared.  Possessing an 
unlimited amount of energy and a large stock of sound sense, 
he has met with deserved success in his operations, and is 
now proprietor of a finely appointed farm of one hundred and 
eleven acres.  On this he has made substantial improvements, 
including the erection of a commodious residence and 
convenient farm buildings.
  In his political belief and affiliations Mr. Baker is a 
stanch Republican.  He takes an active part in politics, and 
is now a member of the Republican County Committee.  He has 
served his township as School Director two terms and as 
Justice of the Peace one term.  In 1895 he was a candidate 
for the office of County Commissioner, but failed to secure 
the nomination.  He is liberal in his religious views, and 
though not a member of any church contributes generously to 
the cause of Christianity.
  On September 12, 1877, Mr. Baker married Mary B. Heffner, 
a daughter of Samuel Heffner, a venerable citizen of Snake 
Spring township, now in his eighty-fifth year.  Mr. Heffner 
removed to this town from Franklin County many years ago, 
and has since been one of its most respected citizens.  Mr. 
and Mrs. Baker have eight children living, namely: Mary E., 
Edith V., Carrie, Jennie, Clarence V., Benjamin H., Samuel 
R., and Ruth.



Source: Bedford Biographical Review, 1899, Bedford Co., Pa