BIOS: William H. H. BAKER, Rockford, Milford Township, Somerset County, PA

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, Vol. XXXII, Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of 
Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania. Boston, Biographical Review 
Publishing Company: 1899, ppg 146-7.

  William H. H. Baker, a successful general merchant of Rockford, Milford 
Township, where he has built up an excellent trade, was born in Bakersville, 
Somerset County, Pa., September 14, 1839, son of John and Catharine (Friedline) 
Baker.
  Henry Baker, father of John, was born in Adams County, Pennsylvania.  He was a 
farmer, hotel-keeper, and distiller.  He married a Miss Young, by whom he had 
eight children.  Of these, two are living, namely: Henry Baker, a resident of 
Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania; and Ludwick, who resides in Dixon, Ill.
  John Baker, above named, who was born in Jefferson, Pa, August 8, 1813, was a 
miller by trade and a man of thrift and enterprise.  He served his town in 
various official capacities, and was at one time, County Auditor.  He was a 
member of the Lutheran church.  He lived to be seventy-two years of age.  His 
wife, Catherine, was a daughter of Henry and Christina (Lichtenberger) 
Friedline.  John and Catharine Baker had nine children, of whom six, two sons 
and four daughters are living, namely: Sarah, William H. H., Harriet, Anna, 
Catharine, and John Augustus.  Sarah married W. H. Smouse, and resides in Cedar 
Rapids, Ia.  Harriet married Edward Picking and also resides in Cedar Rapids.  
Anna is the wife of W. S. Kreger, and resides at the East End, Pittsburg, Pa.  
Catharine, wife of John H. Kimmell, resides in Pittsburg.  John Augustus Baker 
is a successful farmer in Iroquois, Dak.
  William H. H. Baker obtained his education in the public schools of Jefferson, 
Pa., and the Normal Schools at Meyersdale, Somerset, Berlin, and New 
Centreville.  He then engaged in teaching, which he followed for twenty-four 
terms, five in Jefferson, two in Somerset, two in Jenners, eight in Milford, one 
in Centreville, and six in Rockwood.  The next fifteen years he worked at 
carpentering during the summers and part of the time during the winters.  Some 
time before he was seventeen years of age, his education being as yet 
incomplete, he was employed in a gristmill.  He came to Rockwood in 1872, on 
August 1, 1886, opened a grocery store in partnership with W. S. Kreger, his 
brother-in-law, under the firm name of Baker & Co.  This partnership continued 
up to 1892 when Mr. Baker purchased his partner's interest in the stock, after 
that for a year conducting the business in his own name.  In 1893 he purchased 
Mr. Kreger's interest in the real estate, and has since had entire control of 
the business, and has converted it into a general store.
  On June 6, 1867, Mr. Baker married Lucretia, daughter of Peter and Margaret 
(Aughinbaugh) Brubaker.  Four children have blessed their union, namely: William 
E., Margaret, Carrie, and Mary Florence.  William E., born in 1870, was educated 
in the public schools of Rockwood.  After that he learned the printer's trade in 
Pittsburg, and is now running a job printing office in Rockwood.  He married 
Mrs. Florence Wolfersberger.  Margaret, born January 23, 1872, lives at home, 
and is a clerk in her father's store.  Carrie, born August 9, 1874, is also at 
home.  Mary Florence, the youngest child, died in 1882.
  During the Civil War Mr. Baker was a Marshal or enrolling officer.  He is a 
stanch Republican, and has held many local offices, including those of 
Constable, Assessor, Tax Collector, Auditor, School Director, Judge, and 
Inspector of Elections, and in the spring of 1899 was elected Justice of the 
Peace for a term of five years.