BIO: Joseph A. BAKER, Huntingdon County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Lana Clark 
<myclarkhistory@hotmail.com>

Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
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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
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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.