Genealogy Data Page 1544 (Notes Pages)

Note: Source: 1907 Volume of Haight's Waukesha County Memoirs pg. 352

Francis Baker, a prominent citizen of the town of Eagle, is a descendant of good English families and is himself of English birth, a native of Devonshire, where he was born Dec. 10, 1845. His father, John Baker, was a native of the same place, born June 4, 1809, and died in Eagle in 1895. His wife, whose maiden name was Grace Bone, also a native of Devonshire, was two years younger than her husband and belonged to a well-to-do family. She died in the town of Troy, Walworth county, in 1891. The family left England in March, 1849, came to Milwaukee, where they remained but a short time, and then drove out to Melendy's prairie, Eagle township, where they staved for a fortnight with a family named Peardon. Proceeding to the adjoining county of Walworth, Mr. Baker purchased a farm of 206 acres upon which some improvements had been made. This was the family home until after the death of Mrs. Baker when the father made his home with his sons in Eagle township. Mr. Baker was a man of good business qualifications and enlarged his real estate holdings to 800 acres in the town of Troy, Walworth county, and the town of Eagle, Waukesha county. This property he divided among his children before his death. He was brought up in the Episcopal church--the state church of England--and was a man of great integrity of character, excellent judgment and independence of thought. He was a Republican and a strong supporter of the party, but would never accept any public office. His wife was a kind and affectionate mother and took great pride in her family. Although brought up to every comfort in her English home, she quickly accommodated herself to the rude conditions of frontier life and bravely did her part in the building of their home in the wilderness and the rearing of the nine children with which they were blessed. These, all living, are valuable members of the several communities in which they reside. William B., is a farmer of Troy township, Walworth county; Mary Jane, wife of John Gilbert, a farmer, resides in Walworth county; John, a farmer, resides in Osseo, Trempealeau county; Julius is a farmer of Rock county; Francis is the subject of this sketch; James is a farmer of DeWitt county, Ill.; Richard, a farmer, resides in Walworth county, as do also Edwin and Alfred, both farmers. Francis Baker was reared in Walworth county, and attended the district school, supplementing his earlier education by an attendance of two years at Milton college. He then taught school for four winter terms--one in Dodge county and three in Walworth--spending the summers on the farm. He was twenty-two years of age when he began teaching and farming on the old homestead, and remained in those occupations until 1879, at which time he came to Eagle township and settled a farm of 158 acres which his father had previously purchased. After rending for a year he bought the place and has since added to ti 109 acres making the latter purchase in 1892. General farming, dairying and stock raising are followed on the place.

Mr. Baker was married in October, 1879, to Lydia Ann Duffin, a native of Herkimer county, N.Y., born Nov. 10, 1854, and a daughter of John and Sarah (Means) Duffin, both born in Cambriddgeshire, England. They came to this country in 1853, to Wisconsin in 1855, settling in Mukwonago township, where they remained a short time and then went to La Grange, Walworth county, where they remained until Mr. Duffin's death. Mrs. Baker was educated in the Whitewater normal school, and following her graduation taught school for five years in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinios, continuing in that profession until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have four children. J. Earl born Aug. 23, 1880, was educated in the Whitewater normal school, where he was graduated in the class of 1901. He taught for one year in the Fort Atkinson high school and another in the school for the blind at Janesville. He then entered the University of Wisconsin as junior and was graduated with honors in the college of letters and science with the class of 1906, having been a participant in the joint debate, steensland prize debate and the Nebraska Inter-collegiate debate; and was awarded membership in the Honorary Phi Beta Kappa fraternity for excellent scholarship and general high standing in the university. He also took a post-graduate course, finishing in February, 1907. He worked for the Milwaukee Journal for two months and then went to Washington, where he has a position with the inter-state commerce commission. During his vacations he had been employed by the tax commissioner in several counties of the state, so that he brought to his new position some knowledge of the work.

Sarah Alice, the oldest daughter, is a graduate of the Whitewater normal, finishing in 1904, and have been engaged in teaching since that time.

Lenna Grace, born June 6, 1884, was graduate at the Whitewater normal in June, 1907.

Aurel, born Oct. 4, 1886, is a graduate of the Whitewater high school and is now a teacher in the graded school of Eagle village. Mr. Baker and his family are important factors in the educational, moral and religious life of the community. The family is connected with the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Baker has been interested in temperance movements since the time of the old Washingtonian society. Of this society he was a member.

Death: UNKNOWN Eagle, Waukesha, WI

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Gudgeon, Mary (b. ABT 1803, d. UNKNOWN)

Death: UNKNOWN Walworth Co., WI

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