Robbie W. Baker Biography


	This biography appears on pages 61 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				ROBBIE W. BAKER. 

	Robbie W. Baker, who has been a resident of South Dakota for 
three decades, has for the past nineteen years been successfully 
engaged in the draying business at Redfield, Spink county, and in that 
connection has been accorded an extensive patronage. His birth occurred 
at Leon, near Sparta, Wisconsin, on the 12th of April, 1864, his 
parents being Almanza and Frances (Willsey) Baker. They came to this 
state in 1884, settling in Redfield, where Almanza Baker remained a 
prominent and esteemed resident until his demise, which occurred in 
1903. His widow made her home with our subject until April, 1915, when 
she too was called to her last rest. Both are buried at Redfield. 

	Robbie W. Baker attended school near Sparta, Wisconsin, until 
eighteen years of age and subsequently followed farming in his native 
state until 1884, when he came to South Dakota. Here he continued his 
identification with agricultural interests for about twelve years and 
on the expiration of that period embarked in the draying business at 
Redfield, in which he has since been successfully engaged. He has built 
up an enviable and gratifying patronage and his success may be 
attributed entirely to his own energy, perseverance and judicious 
management. 

	On March 23, 1887, near Sparta, Wisconsin, Mr. Baker was united 
in marriage to Miss Lina Critchett, a daughter of Joseph and Ruth 
(Sheldon) Critchett, who settled in Spink county in the '90s. The 
father passed away in 1906 and was buried at Ashton, South Dakota, but 
the mother survives and makes her home at Mellette, this state. Our 
subject and his wife have two sons, Morse and Lloyd, who assist their 
father in the conduct of his business. 

	Mr. Baker gives his political allegiance to the republican party 
and has held school offices in Spink county, the cause of education 
ever finding in him a stanch champion. He is identified fraternally 
with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, while his religious faith is 
indicated by his membership in the Methodist church. He enjoys a high 
reputation in his community and is esteemed for his many good qualities 
of character.