My Genealogy Hound

John J. Baker was born in Indiana in 1849, and is a son of John and Ann Baker. The father was a farmer, and came to Missouri in 1867, locating in Wright County, where he died in 1884. He was a faithful soldier in the Union army for two years during the war, but was obliged to give up the service owing to age and disability. John J. Baker’s early educational advantages were exceedingly limited, and after his marriage he was taught to read and write by his wife. He began life as a farmer, but at the end of about ten years began learning the carpenter’s trade, which he has made his calling through life. He came to Lawrence County in 1883, and in 1887 was elected a justice of the peace for four years; was also appointed notary public. In 1869 he married Nettie A. Doby, a daughter of Jackson Doby, and she died in 1873, leaving one child, David M. In 1875 Mr. Baker married his second wife, Miss F. A. Houghton, who died the following year, the mother of one child, John J. Two years later he married Miss Nancy Hendricks, and by her is the father of four children: Maud, Ralph, Beedy A. and Eddie A. Mr. Baker is in good financial circumstances, and while in Stone County was probate clerk two years, and deputy sheriff four years, filling both positions with great credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. He is a Mason, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.