Bedford County PA Archives Biographies.....Baker, Elias
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Judy Banja jbanja@msn.com May 2003

ELIAS BAKER, a worthy representative of the self-made men of 
our times, is prosperously engaged in agricultural pursuits 
in Snake Spring, Bedford County, Pa.  He was born October 
26, 1852, in the near-by township of South Woodbury, a son 
of Peter and Mary (Snyder) Baker, both of whom spent their 
entire lives in Bedford County.  He comes of good old 
pioneer stock, his grandfather, John Baker, having been an 
early settler of this part of the State.
  Peter Baker died in April, 1892, at his home in South 
Woodbury, Pa., where he had spent the greater part of his 
active life.  He was a farmer by occupation, a man of 
considerable prominence, and a valued member of the German 
Baptist church.  He and his good wife reared a large family 
of children, of whom the following survive: Jacob, of Blair 
County, Pennsylvania; John, Samuel, and Solomon, of South 
Woodbury, Pa.; Elias, the special subject of this brief 
biography; Daniel, of Blair County, Pennsylvania; Elizabeth, 
widow of George Hoover, late of South Woodbury; Catherine, 
wife of Aaron Teeter, of South Woodbury; Rebecca, wife of 
George Brumbaugh, of Blair County, Pennsylvania; and Susan, 
wife of George Krisley, of Bedford County, Pennsylvania.
  Elias Baker attended first the district schools of South 
Woodbury township, where he resided until eight or nine 
years of age.  Coming then to Snake Spring, he grew to 
manhood as a member of the household of Jacob Snyder, and in 
the public schools of this town completed his education.  In 
1875, having commenced life on his own account, Mr. Baker 
assumed the possession of his present farm, which under his 
energetic management has since been highy improved, being 
now one of the most attractive estates of this neighborhood. 
 As a general farmer and stock-raiser he stands among the 
most prosperous, a position that he has valiantly earned by 
industry, economy, and honesty.  A loyal, public-spirited 
citizen he heartily favors anything likely to improve town 
or county, and never shirks the responsibilities of public 
office.  He has served three years as Township Auditor, one 
year as judge of elections, and is now filling his first 
term as a member of the local School Board.  Politically, he 
is a good Republican, and, religiously, he belongs to the 
German Baptist church.
  Mr. Baker married Miss Anna Harclerode, daughter of 
William Harclerode, a well-known citizen of Snake Spring, 
Pa.  Mr. and Mrs. Baker have eight children living; namely, 
Mary J., James E., William H., Rebecca M., Peter L., Sherman 
H., Susan, and Daniel P.



Source: Bedford Biographical Review, 1899, Bedford Co., Pa