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Below is a family biography included in The History of Miami County, Ohio published by W. H. Beers & Co. in 1880.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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DAVID BAKER, farmer; P. O. West Milton; was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, in the year 1824, and is a son of David and Salome Baker; they were born in Bedford, now Blair Co., Penn., in the latter part of the eighteenth century; they removed to Montgomery Co., about 1809 or 1810, and settled on land in Randolph Township, on which they lived till the death of Mr. B., which occurred just previous to the birth of our subject; his mother soon after went to Indiana; then to Greenville, in which place she resided till her death, which occurred in the 63d year of her age. They were the parents of three children, two of whom are living, viz., Andrew H., David and Lavina, deceased. The boyhood days of our subject were spent on the farm, in a manner incident to youth, and, at the age of 15, he was apprenticed to learn the wagon-maker’s trade, and labored for a while in Salem, after which he removed to Euphemia, in Preble Co., at which place he finished his trade, and soon after, in Phillipsburg, founded a shop of his own, in which he carried on wagon-making for eleven years; then selling out, he embarked in a general mercantile business in the same place, and for fourteen years successfully catered to the wants of the public; in 1869, he removed to the place where he now resides; he owns 141 75-100ths acres of fine land, which is in a high state of cultivation. He was first married to Julia Fortner, in 1848; she died in 1861. His second marriage was with Sarah J. McGrew nee Reed, in 1862. They have two children, viz., Emma and Alma. Samuel McGrew and Miss Sarah J. Reed were married in 1852; he died in 1859. To them two children were born, viz., Allen, deceased, and Marley, who resides in Kansas. Mrs. B.’s parents, Jonathan and Sarah R. Reed, were born in New Jersey; they removed to Montgomery Co., Ohio, at a very early day, and later, to Marshall Co., Iowa, in which place Mr. B. died, in the 72d year of his age; her mother is still living, and resides in the above-mentioned place. They have had nine children, all are living, viz., William Jonathan, Mary A., Sarah J., Bowman, Esther, Rebecca, Elizabeth and Lucretia. Mrs. B. was born in Warren Co. in 1831. She is an exemplary Christian lady, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. B. was a member of the 112th O. V. I., and, soon after his enlistment, was promoted to a Second Lieutenancy, with instructions to enlist a company; but, on account of a shortage of men, a consolidation of different companies was effected, which swallowed up Mr. B.’s company, and he was mustered from the service. He is one of our self-made men. Life was begun with small capital, yet energy and indomitable perseverance have accomplished their purpose, and a good home is the fruit of his toil. When Mrs. B.’s father crossed the Ohio River, he had only a dollar in his pocket, and with him came two other gentlemen, possessed of means, who soon lost their all and were penniless. The dollar which constituted Mr. Reed’s capital, proved the nucleus of a handsome competency.

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This family biography is one of 964 biographies included in The History of Miami County, Ohio published in 1880 by W. H. Beers & Co.  For the complete description, click here: Miami County, Ohio History and Genealogy

View additional Miami County, Ohio family biographies here: Miami County, Ohio Biographies

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