BIO: Reuben T. 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 280-281 __________________________________________________________ REUBEN T. BAKER, Trough Creek, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born in Tod township, June 23, 1843, son of George W. and Elizabeth (Householder) Baker. His family are of good German stock, with a record of patriotic service to the United States. Mr. Baker's paternal-great-grandfather and grandfather were both soldiers, the former in the Revolution and the latter in the war of 1812. George Householder, his maternal grandfather, was killed in the battle of Antietam, in the Rebellion, at the age of sixty. John Baker, the paternal grandfather, was a farmer of Penn township, married to Rebecca Royer; his son George W. Baker was also a farmer, first in Penn, afterward in Tod township, where he passed the remainder of his life. He owned and tilled a farm of 167 acres, on which he built a house and barn and made other improvements. He was also a stock raiser. He was married in Penn township to Elizabeth Householder, born in that township. Their children were: Rosanna, deceased, wife of Jonathan Brindle; Reuben T.; Andrew J., deceased, was in Company K, Pennsylvania Cavalry, but was killed at home; Catharine (Mrs. Matthew Beaver), of Ohio; Benjamin H., of Stonertown, Bedford county, Pa.; Rev. George W., pastor in the Methodist Episcopal church, is in Kansas; John, farmer, of Tod township; Samuel, farmer, of Hopewell township; Ettie B. (Mrs. R. Lynn); Martha, died in childhood; Bruce, principal of the high school, Indiana, Pa. George W. Baker belonged to the State militia in Tod township. He was a Republican; he served the township as supervisor and as auditor. He died at the homestead in 1886. His wife is still living, in Hopewell township, and is seventy-two years of age. After attending for a number of years the common schools of his native township, Reuben T. Baker began work on the home farm, and continued it until he reached the age of eighteen, working also for several months at carpentry. Then war came; and he enlisted in Tod township, August 25, 1862, in Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel Higgins and Capt. W. F. Thomas. He spent ten months in the service, and was in several engagements, including the battle of Chancellorsville. During his term of enlistment he was ill for six weeks. He was mustered out in June, 1863, returned home and continued work as a carpenter until August 18, 1864, when he again enlisted in Tod township, for one year, in Company D, Two Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel Matthews and Capt. T. B. Reed. During this term Mr. Baker was in the battles of Fort Steadman and Petersburg; he was present at the surrender of Lee, and at the grand review in Washington, D. C. Being discharged at Harrisburg in June, 1865, he went home and resumed the business of his trade. Two years later he turned his attention to farming. Mr. Baker now bought 217 acres under cultivation, at a cost of $7,000; he had only $25 to pay in cash, and had to borrow money to meet the recurring payments of interest. All has been paid off, $8,000 of the money being interest. Mr. Baker has worked that farm for more than thirty years; he built upon it a frame dwelling, costing nearly $2,000, and made other improvements. He also bought the homestead in Tod township, comprising 167 acres, and added some improvements to it. He is a stock raiser and general dealer in stock. Thus Mr. Baker, by a combination of thrift and industry, judicious management and courageous enterprise, has acquired abundant means, though beginning life with limited resources; and in so doing, has obtained a position of influence. He has been a member of the school board of his township for nine years, and has been its secretary for two terms. He has also been supervisor, tax collector, and for four years treasurer. He is a Republican, and is a member of the A. P. A, and of the Grange of Tod township. Reuben T. Baker was married, July 3, 1866, in Cass township, to Harriet E., daughter of John Whitney, manager of a mine in Tod township, and of English descent, Mrs. Baker was born in Tod township. Their children are: Viola U. (Mrs. R. E. E. Hall), her husband a farmer of Tod township; Lorena C. (Mrs. B. A. Benson), of Jeannette, Westmoreland county, Pa.; Mary A. K. (Mrs. W. Sherman McClain), of Tod township; Reuben E., of the homestead; and two who died in early childhood. Mr. Baker is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is trustee, and was for several years steward. He has also been both teacher and superintendent of the Sunday-school.