My Genealogy Hound

EDWARD BAKER, whose portrait* accompanies the present sketch, is a practical farmer in prosperous circumstances, living in the eastern part of Chesterfield. He was born in this town, November 12, 1839. His parents were Andrew K. and Evelina (Edwards) Baker, both of Chesterfield, the former born February 6, 1806, the latter November 10, 1810. Andrew K. Baker was a prominent citizen, and was engaged in farming up to the time of his death. He was a man of amiable disposition, open-hearted and kindly in his ways, and was universally regretted when he died, on February 20, 1866. His wife, to whom he was united in Chesterfield, December 29, 1831, is yet living. They were the parents of four children, namely: Esther, born August 28, 1833, who lives with her mother in Chesterfield; Clemina, born October 28, 1835, who married Amos Hawkes, of Goshen, on December 27, 1855, and died December 13, 1889, her husband following her to the last home in February, 1893; Edward, the subject of this sketch; and John Howard, born November 19, 1846, who died in St. Paul, Minn., November 30, 1872.

Edward Baker received a good education in the schools of Hampshire County. At the age of nineteen he left home, going to work in a grocery store owned by Almon S. Ludden at Easthampton, which had a market attached, where he learned the trade of meat cutting. Two years later he went to Goshen to work as a, butcher, remaining for some time. In 1865 he purchased the farm that he now occupies, which then comprised one hundred acres; and he has since doubled his possessions, being now the owner of two hundred acres. Mr. Baker worked at his trade during the first four years that he lived on the farm, but now his whole time is devoted to farming, and his crops are the source of a handsome income.

On July 4, 1861, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth A. Damon, daughter of Marlon and Adeline (Campbell) Damon, who was born June 5, 1845. Mr. Damon was a native of North Adams, and his wife of Northampton. He has been for many years engaged in farming in Goshen; and there his daughter was born, and there she met her fate in the shape of the young butcher, for it was during his stay in Goshen that Mr. Baker became a benedict. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Baker has been brightened by three children, namely: Addie Florence, born November 7, 1862, who died March 21, 1864; Lettie Isabelle, born February 5, 1865, who married Arthur A. Brooks, and lives in Housatonic, Mass.; and Ida Agnes, born October 1, 1867, who married John E. Burr, of Worthington, and has one child, Harold.

Politically, Mr. Baker is an advocate of Prohibition. He is not an office-seeker, but was for several years Road Surveyor in Chesterfield. Mrs. Baker is a member of the Advent church in Goshen, and has always taken an active interest in church work. They have a comfortable dwelling, which, surrounded by its ample grounds, makes a pleasant country home.

*Editor's note: Portrait was included in the original printed book.