OBIT: Thomas BAKER, 1918, native of Blair County, PA

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PVT. THOMAS BAKER DIES FROM WOUNDS

Was in the Argonne Forest Drive and Received His Wounds in Action Sept. 27

  Word has been received by Robert W. Smith, of the local draft board from 
the war department, apprising him of the death of Private Thomas Baker aged 
27 years, that occurred in France on October 16, 1918, from wounds received 
in action in the Argonne Forest on September 27th.
  The young man was a son of Mrs. Ellen Baker of Brush Mountain, who had not 
heard from him since last October.  She had written to him several times but 
the letters came back unopened and marked to the effect that the soldier 
could not be found.  Mrs. Baker finally referred the matter to Mr. Smith, 
asking him to take it up in her behalf.
  Private Baker enlisted September 9, 1917, and was sent to Camp Lee, Va., 
for training.  He became a member of Company K, 166th Infantry and was among 
the first young men of the county to reach France.  His division was among 
the first to become actively engaged with the enemy and he fought in several 
battles before being wounded.  He was born on Brush Mountain near 
Hollidaysburg, 27 years ago and was a gardener by trade, having been 
employed at Lakemont Park and at the residence of Oliver Rothert in the Ant 
Hill woods.  He was a very excellent young man.  Besides his mother, he is 
survived by three brothers and three sisters as follows: Richard, Joseph and 
John, Mary, Annie and Ellen.

Altoona Tribune, Thursday, March 6, 1919, page 2