A. H. Baker, who was one of Comanche-co.'s best known and most worthy citizens, died at his home in this city at 6:45 a.m. on last Wednesday, August 7, 1918, after a lingering illness, resulting from paralysis and finally from heart failure. For three or four years past he had been in failing health, but his condition gave no indications of being worse and from that time until death he gradually lost vitality, but he remained conscious practically all of the time up to a few minutes before his death. He had endured much suffering, yet he was patient through it all. His cheerfulness under all circumstances was noted by all who visited him or talked with him. Bodily affliction seemed only to make him more determined to rise above and to keep above mere complaining and an unhappy outlook on life. He approached death serenely and apparently with a feeling of perfect resignation, such a feeling as comes to those who can realize that they have lived in accord with the laws of God and man.Mr. Baker was a Comanche-co. pioneer, having lived in the county continuously for about 34 years, or ever since the county began to be settled in 1884. Coming to this county from Cowley-co., Kansas., he settled on Bluff Creek a few miles southwest of Protection. There he and his family lived for a number of years. Mr. Baker devoted his time to farming and stock raising, for several years giving considerable attention to sheep, and in all his undertakings he was successful. He finally sold his farm and stock interests and moved to town. For about 11 years before his death he had been a resident of this city, where he had considerable business interests. Mr. Baker and his family were acquainted with all that is implied in the term "pioneer" in a new country. They endured many a year of hardships because of partial crop failures and low prices, they knew what it meant to toil, even against many odds, yet the possessed the two essential elements of success, perseverance and stick-to-it-ive-ness. There efforts and their sacrifices were not unrewarded, for in his later years Mr. Baker and his wife, who survives him, enjoyed the blessings of a very quiet, comfortable and pleasant home.
Mr. Baker was well known all over this county and had long been recognized as one of our most useful citizens. He was never a seeker after notoriety, his quiet, unobtrusive disposition being one of his characteristics. He was never an office seeker, preferring, rather the quiet and independence of a private life. In his business relations he was always prompt, honorable and just. He detested hypocrisy and deceit and believed in and practiced honesty and fair play in every transaction. His word was as good as his bond, and thus he won the confidence of all with whom he came in contact. As a husband and father, he was devoted and considerate, as a citizen he was always found on the side of Right and Justice. For many years Mr. Baker had been a member of the Baptist church and his entire life had been lived consistently and with that faith and hope which characterizes the real Christian.
Funeral services are announced to be held from the M. E. church in this city at 2:30 p.m. on next Sunday, Rev. I. W. Bailey of the Baptist church of Gypsum City, Kansas, being in charge.
The Protection Post, August 6, 1918. A. H. Baker Dies at Coldwater
Andrew H. Baker was born in Wayne county, Kentucky, June 12th, 1841, and died at Coldwater, Kansas, August 7th, 1918, aged 77 years, 1 month, and 26 days.
He grew to manhood in the county of his birth, and was there married to Martha Ellen Eads on November 19th, 1868, and to this union eleven children were born, as follows:
Mrs. Fannie McDaniel, of Waynoka, Oklahoma.
Mrs. Ella King, of Plains, Kansas.
C. E. Baker, of Coldwater, Kansas.
Mrs. Alice White, of San Diego, California.
Mrs. Emma Craig, of Flower, Kansas.
Mrs. Estella Keltner, of Protection, Kansas.
A. F. Baker, of Protection, Kansas.
W. F. Baker, of Protection, Kansas.
Mrs. Grace Coople, of Coldwater, Kansas.
Mrs. Jessie Cook, of Coldwater, Kansas.
Mrs. Hallie Broadie, of Ashland, Kansas.He is survived by the wife and all eleven children, who mourn the loss of a faithful and devoted husband and father.
In 1871 they emigrated with their oldest daughter from Kentucky to Montgomery county, Kansas, where during a stay of something more than a year, they endured the famous Grass-Hopper year, in the fall of which they moved to southwest Missouri, where they lived until the fall of 1878, when they moved to near Winfield, Kansas, where they lived until 1885, when they moved to Comanche county, settling on a claim eight and a half miles southwest of Protection in Valley Township. He was for many years engaged in the farming and ranching business, and later in banking, and in the mercantile business. He was a pioneer during the great part of his life, worked hard and suffered privations that others might better enjoy life, and he enjoyed the thought that he had done his part in making Comanche county what it is.
He was united with the Baptist church at Cumberland River, Kentucky, in 1867. He was a man of high ______ and of unlimited, unselfish devotion to his family and friends. He had words of cheer, even in the hardest trials and darkest discouragement's and he labored on faithfully through life, never yielding to despair.
A heart broken wife and mother and a family brought safely through the most trying circumstances and his many friends and neighbors know that he was one of God's Nobleman and earth has lost one of her best.
The funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon, August 11th, at the Methodist church in Coldwater, at two o'clock, the services to be conducted by Rev. I. W. Bailey, who was formerly pastor of the Protection Baptist church.
The Western Star, August 8, 1947. Baker Family Holds Reunion August 3
The members of the A. H. Baker family, who settled on a farm south of Protection in the spring of 1885, held their annual family reunion at the city park in Coldwater on Sunday, August 3.
Mr. and Mrs. Baker were among the early pioneers of the county and were among the first to bring sheep into the county as they brought a large herd of sheep and other livestock which they moved to their farm south of Protection. After retiring from farm life Mr. and Mrs. Baker moved to Coldwater where they resided until their deaths. Mr. Baker passed away in August 1918 and Mrs. Baker in May, 1937. The reunion this year and in the past have been in memory of Mr. Baker. Of the 11 children, eight survive and were in attendance at the reunion this year. Forty-five relatives were present to enjoy a bounteous dinner and a good social visit together.
The following relatives were in attendance: Mrs. Alice White; Mr. and Mrs. Bowman Howett and daughters, Laura Gene and Mary Ellen; Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Whelpley and sons, Bob and Donald; Mr. and Mrs. Jim Copple; Mrs. Dwight Copple and sons, Jimmie and Chuckie; Mr. and Mrs. George Thompson and daughter Norene, and son Elvin, all of Coldwater. Mr. and Mrs. Roy King and son Richard, and granddaughter, Dottie Wilson; Mr. and Mrs. Byron Clark and daughters, Emily Zoe and Mary Helen, and Mr. Clark's mother, Mrs. Zoe Clark, all of Ashland, Kans. Mrs. Ella King, of Meade, Kans.; Mrs. Dora Miller, mother of Mrs. Dwight Copple of Thomas, Okla.; Mr. and Mrs. George Blackford of Dodge City, Kans.; Mr. and Mrs. Byron Rowell and daughter, Rosalyn and son, Roger; Mrs. Vinton Flynn and daughter, Pauline, all of Wichita, Kans.; Mrs. Leonard Shellman, Oxford, Kans.; Mrs. J. R. McNicholas and daughter, Miss Jo Ellen of Pratt, Kans.; Mr. and Mrs. W. U. Keltner, Protection, Kans.; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Baker of Selman, Okla.; Mrs. Walter Cook and daughter, Miss Wilma Jean of Cherokee, Okla.; Mrs. Emma Craig and son, Jimmie, of Meade, Kans., and daughter Miss Mary Craig of Dodge City, Kans.
Also see:
COMANCHE COUNTY'S GREATEST FLOOD The Western Star, May 23, 1891.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for transcribing and contributing the above articles!
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