BIO: Joseph A. BAKER, Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Lana Clark Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm __________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers. Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, pages 277-278 __________________________________________________________ JOSEPH A. BAKER, Trough Creek, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born in Tod township, July 25, 1858. He is a son of Benjamin F. and Agnes (Henderson) Baker. His grandfather, John Baker, was of German parentage, but a native of Pennsylvania. He had enjoyed a good English education, and was a school teacher in Huntingdon county. He was also justice of the peace of Penn township, and ranked among the most influential men of the township. He adhered to the Whig party. He married a Miss Royer, of Penn township; their children were: Allie (Mrs. Amos Clark); Israel; Benjamin F.; Esther (Mrs. D. Miller); Maria (Mrs. James Applebaugh); Rose Ann (Mrs. John Henderson); Washington; and Isabel. Both grandparents died in Penn township, the grandfather while his children were still very young. They were members of the Lutheran church. Benjamin F. Baker was born in Penn township, which then formed part of Hopewell, in 1822. Losing his father at so early an age, his opportunities for school training were very limited. When he was nine years old he was obliged to work for a farmer of Penn township, for his board and clothing; he continued at the same place until he was seventeen. He then went to Williamsburg, Blair county, where he learned carpentry with David Rule, receiving six cents a day. He was four years with Mr. Rule, and at the expiration of his time his savings from this small stipend amounted to sixty dollars. After that he worked at his trade on his own account in Tod township, and helped to support his mother and sister. He worked at cabinet-making, as well as carpentry. He now bought four acres of land in Newburg, Tod township, which he laid out; there he built a house and shop, where he lived and worked for a number of years. In 1861, he bought a farm of 187 acres, which belonged to Maj. James Steel. Mr. Baker also bought another farm, of 150 acres, in Tod township, and cultivated it in addition to the other. With all the cares of his farm, his improvements, and the raising of stock, he yet found time and opportunity to work at his trade. Thus by diligence and economy, combined with judicious management, he rose from poverty to competency, and an influential position in the community. He was in earlier life a Whig; afterwards, having attached himself to the Republican party, he was active and successful in promoting its interests in Tod township. He was a member of the township school board, and held other offices. Mr. Baker was a good man, and was highly respected. He was married in Tod township to Agnes, daughter of John Henderson, a. farmer of Scotch-Irish descent. Their children are: James M., deceased; Martha J. (Mrs. Simon Cohn), of Lincoln township; A. Scott, shoe dealer, of Pittsburg; John A., deceased; Lucinda (Mrs. Simon Putt), of Bedford county, Pa.; Clara A. (Mrs. C. S. Heeter), of Tod township; Joseph A.; and George B. McC., residing on the homestead. Benjamin F. Baker was a member of the Lutheran church. Joseph A. Baker attended the common schools of Tod township, and began life on the farm where he has worked all his life. Since the death of his father, Mr. Baker, in connection with his brother, has taken charge of the homestead. They have more than 140 acres of land under cultivation, a thriving and productive farm; besides raising and dealing in stock to a very profitable extent. He is a member of the K. G. E. of Saxton; is a Republican, and has acted as judge of elections. He is not married. George B. McC. Baker was born in Tod township September 21, 1861; he attended school in the same township, finishing with a term at the high school of Coatesville, Pa. He has been all his life engaged in the all-important work of tilling the soil, and has been his brother's partner on the homestead farm since 1880. He was for three years in the school board of Tod township. He was married, September 12, 1889, to Elva M., daughter of B. F. Glasgow, of Union township. They have one child, Walter C., born May 28, 1891. Both these brothers, though young, are skilful and experienced farmers, and diligent in business. They are members of the Methodist church, of excellent reputation, and esteemed and respected by their neighbors and acquaintances.