aged 80Y 4M 13D
Decatur County Journal
Leon, Decatur County, Iowa
February 22, 1900

Our Grand River correspondent says: This community was called upon to bury one of the oldest and most respected of our citizens -- JOSEPH BAKER. He was in the 82d year of his age. MR. BAKER was taken sick Monday night, February 12th, with an acute attack of la grippe. He was unconscious from the start and continued to fail until Wednesday [February 14] when he died about 1 o'clock. MR. BAKER was born in Somersetshire, England, but came to this country when a boy and remained for a number of years. He then returned to his native land but after a short interval, came to this country a second time. For several years he was employed in New York as a farm laborer. He was married to MISS [Sarah] BINNING in that state after which they moved to northern Iowa and finally came to Decatur County and located on a farm in Grand River Township. Two years ago he left the farm and moved to town.

To MR. and MRS. BAKER were born twelve children, the majority of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. Their children reside in this vicinity and are among our most useful and respected citizens. MR. BAKER was of a most friendly and genial disposition. Whenever you met him he appeared to be in a cheerful humor, always ready to talk, full of reminiscences and annecdotes from his own experiences during his long life, all of which made him a most entertaining companion. In politics MR. BAKER was a Republican, in religion a Methodist, and he held to his convictions with characteristic firmness.

The death of MR. BAKER removes from our midst one who enjoyed esteem and confidence of the entire community. Although full of years his death leaves a void in the hearts of all who knew him well, which cannot be filled.

[Interment was made at Oak Hill Cemetery near Grand River, Iowa.]

Contributor: Ken Baker (47764854) • [email protected]