Biographies
ADAM BAKER. This genial citizen of German Township, Clark County, is well-known to a majority of its people among whom he is a general favorite. He makes his headquarters at a well-regulated farm on section 8, where he operates successfully as a tiller of the soil, and deals quite extensively in live stock. A man still in the prime of life, he was born April 26, 1841, where he now lives, and is the son of Adam, Sr., and Susannah (Klineselter) Baker, who were both natives of York County, Pa.
Mr. Baker was reared to manhood in his native township, and remembers the time when the country was comparatively new, and the opportunities for social intercourse and education were quite limited. He attended the district schools during the his boyhood, [sic] and at an early age commenced to make himself useful around the farm. He was a lad fond of his books, and after leaving the common school, entered the Commercial College at Springfield, under the tutorship of Prof. Edward Harrison, and was duly graduated. Then returning home he worked for himself until ready to establish a fireside of his own.
The marriage of Adam Baker and Miss Amanda E. Wilson, took place at the bride's home in this township, October 10, 1869. Mrs. Baker was born January 26, 1846 in Champaign County, and is the daughter of John and Sarah A. Wilson, who were natives of Ohio and Virginia, are now residents of Tremont City, this State. Of this union there have been born no children. Mr. Baker is the owner of three hundred and sixteen acres, and is improved with good buildings including a neat frame residence, and the structures necessary for the shelter of stock and storage of grain. Mr. Baker, without making any great stir in the world, pursues the even tenor of his way as a peacable and law-abiding citizen, and gives his unqualified allegiance to the Republican party. he is classed among the representative citizens of his township, and through his own industry and good management, has accumulated a competence. Socially, he belongs to the Masonic fraternity, of which he is a member in high standing, having attained to the thirty-second degree.
Adam Baker, Sr., the father of our subject, was born about 1796, and departed this life at his home in German Township, in 1863. He was reared to manhood in his native State, whence he emigrated to Ohio in 1836, settling in Clark County, and the following year secured the land which constitutes the present farm of his son Adam. He also purchased mill property and operated a flouring-mill and distillery for about eleven years. Later he sold the mill property. He was a prominent man in his community, serving as County Commissioner, and after the organization of the Republican party, was one of its warmest adherents.
The mother of our subject died in August, 1879. The parental family consisted of twelve children, six of whom are living: Cornelius, William B. and Elinora, are residents of Springfield; Joana is the wife of Alexander Baker, of Moorefield Township; John W. is a resident of Topeka, Kan.; Adam, our subject, is the youngest living of the family. The father at his death left a large estate, which he had accumulated mostly by his own industry and perseverance. The family maintains a highly respectable position in the community, standing second to none in point of intelligence and sterling worth.
From Portrait and Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio, Chapman Bros, Chicago. 1890. Page 138 & 141