BAKER, Albert Haines - b. November 29, 1847 - d. August 19, 1938

[ddurbin]

(from THE MOLINE ADVANCE Aug. 26, 1937)

A. H. BAKER PASSED AWAY LAST THURSDAY
Another One of Our Pioneers Has Left Us

On August 19, 1937, A. H. Baker, one of our Christain pioneers departed this life after a long spent course of 89 years.  He perservered and became not only an honoured pioneer of this community, but for his country.  His teachings among his fellowmen were for them to believe in something that is great and good, to believe in the future of your community, to believe in the goodness of your people and in the watchfulness and care of God, the Father of us all.  Mr. Baker spent many long, hard years of leanness and toil, but the pioneer spirit helped to carry him through to a fulfillment of dreams of the future.  This good Christian man had been taught that it is your duty to work, to suffer if necessary to overcome difficulties and hardships of life.

A. H. Baker moved from Southern Illinois to Kansas in 1871--took up 160 acres of land, paid $1.25 per acre to the government--improved it and lived on this claim for several years when he sold it.  He bought a farm on Elk river north of Elk Falls where he lived a number of years.  After this farm was sold, Mr. Baker went into the hardware business at Elk Falls in partnership with George Fain.  After years of experience in the hardware business he sold out, putting his money into stocks in the zinc mines in Joplin, Missouri, which proved to be a successful adventure.

After the sale of the zinc stock, he moved to Moline and started a racket store, managed by himself and his two sons, Byron and Jay.  He sold the racket store to go to work for the Moline Mercantile Co. owned by Rettig and Johns.  His health began to fail while he was working for the Mercantile, so he retired from active life to private life at his home in Moline, Kansas, where he lives a social and devoted life to his family, community and church,of which he was a true and devout Christain worker.

                                     OBITUARY

Albert Haines Baker, oldest son of George and Caroline Baker, was born November 29th, 1847, at Fairfield, Illinois.  He passed away at his home in Moline Kansas, August 19th, 1938, aged 89 years, 8 months and 20 days.

While still a young man, he moved with his parents to Elk Falls, Kansas.  Here he was married to Florence DeEtte Fancher, December 2, 1877.  To this union was born four children:  Effie Florence, who died in infancy; Maude, John Jay and Albert Byron.

He was engaged in the Mercantile business in Elk Falls, Webb City, Missouri and Moline until about 15 years ago when his eyesight became impaired and he was forced to give it up.

He united with the Methodist Episcopal church while he still lived in Elk Falls and he remained a true and faithful servant of the Lord since that time, having been very active in church affairs until the last few years.  He was a member of the Gospel Team for several years and the influence of this group is still felt in this community.

He was a member of the Masonic lodge A F & A. M. of Moline.

His wife preceded him in death just last February 3rd after they had spent a life of over 59 years together.

He leaves to mourn his passing, his daughter Maude Spray of Moline; two sons, J. Jay Baker of Palo Alto California, and Byron Baker of Moline; one granddaughter Virginia Baker of Palo Alto, California, and one grandson, byron Spray of Moline; one brother, Theodore Baker of Moline; three sisters, Mrs. Rhodina Webb of Los Angeles, California, Mrs. Sybl Mathes of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, Mrs. Amanda Taylor of Terry, Oklahoma; several nieces and nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

Funeral services were conducted at the M. E. Church in Moline by Belle Reid Yates of Grenola at 2:30 Sunday afternoon, August 22.