My Genealogy Hound

JOHN BAKER, who owns and occupies a well-improved farm in the town of South Hadley, is a native of Germany, having been born in Bavaria, June 16, 1841, son of Thomas and Margaret (Gebhardt) Baker, both lifelong residents of the same place. Thomas Baker followed farming in his native land, and died in 1845, when the subject of this sketch was but four years old. The wife died six years after. They reared eight children; namely, Conrad, Margaret, George, Annie Margarita, Cooney, John, Johnnie, and Hermann.

John Baker, left without the guardianship of parents at an early age, was taken in charge by his sister. He received a good education in the German schools, which are noted for their excellence. In 1859 Mr. Baker, who had a sister living at South Hadley Falls, emigrated to America, embarking on the ship “Toocsco.” After a voyage lasting eight weeks he arrived at New York. At once joining his sister he secured work in the Glasgow Mills, where he was employed as a weaver for eight years. While here he met a pretty German girl, Miss Catherine Cohler, who had migrated from Bavaria, the place of her birth, the previous year. The acquaintance ripened into an affection, which resulted in marriage, August 16, 1860. She, too, was an orphan, both of her parents having died in Germany. After his marriage Mr. Baker worked in a paper-mill until 1868, when he bought twenty-one acres of land, which are included in his present farm. It was mostly timber land, and he cleared it and otherwise improved it. Having saved some money, he subsequently bought more land; and he now has seventy acres, mostly under cultivation. He has met with signal success in general farming, and has a profitable dairy business. As a man and a citizen Mr. Baker is held in high respect, his manliness and honest integrity winning the confidence of all with whom he comes in contact. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have three children, namely: Henry, who resides near his parents, married to Rosanna Pickett; Emma, living at home; and Johnnie, who married Nellie Thristan, also living near the parental homestead. In politics Mr. Baker votes with the Republican party. In religious matters he and his wife are members of the German Congregational Church. Mr. Baker has considerable musical talent, and belongs to the Singing Club of South Hadley Falls.