Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 900 - 901

ADAM BAKER, a well-known citizen of Minneha Township, living on section 25, has a large ranch of 310 acres, all under cultivation, and well fenced with hedge, board and wire fences. It is well watered by a very fine stream. He is extensively engaged in raising stock, and has also gained a wide reputation as a successful fruit-grower, owning one of the finest bearing orchards in the county. He raises apples, peaches, pears, quinces, apricots, grapes, cherries, plums, and the smaller fruits, all of choice varieties, and commanding a ready sale.

            Mr. Baker was born in the Dominion of Canada, May 1, 1843. His parents were John and Nancy (Bigford) Baker, natives of Canada. His father was born on Stacy's Island, Canada, in 1810. His parents were natives of New York. The father of our subject settled on a farm in the Canadian Dominion when he was eighteen years of age, and there engaged in farming and stock-raising until the day of his death, June 9, 1885. His marriage took place in Canada when he was about twenty-one. He was at one time a member of the British army. He was a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was highly esteemed for his upright conduct in all the relations of life. His wife still occupies the old farm. She is esteemed for her many good qualities, and is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Nine children were born of the union, namely: Margaret M., Malinda, Adam, Claminzia, Roxie L., Edward and Edwin (twins), John R. and Pizilla. Claminzia married Ralph Mirkley; they live in Morrisburg, Canada. Edward married Hettie Morrow; they live in Canada. Edwin married Miss Morrow; they live on the old homestead. John married Miss Belle Mirkley, sister of Ralph Mirkley; they live in Winchester, Canada. Pizilla married Lem Hutt; they live in Canada, near the home farm.

                        Our subject grew to manhood in the place of his nativity, receiving the advantages of an education in the public schools, and a thorough, practical training on his father's farm in the calling to which he has since devoted himself with so much success. He became an early settler in Sedgwick County, having determined to try farming on its fertile soil, and enjoy the benefits of its fine climate. He is a man of superior capability, and by energetic and wise management has placed himself among the leading agriculturists of the Arkansas River Valley. On coming to his farm he kept bachelor's hall for the first two years, raising his own produce, and enjoying butter and eggs of home production. Mr. Baker was married in Wichita, June 3, 1873, to Miss Madora McPeak. She was born in Crawford County, Ohio, June 1, 1855. Her father, Henry McPeak, was a native of Ohio, and died in his native State at the early age of twenty-four years. Her mother, Mary Jane McPeak, was born in Columbus, Ohio, in the year 1837. She now lives in Cowley County, Kan.

            Our subject and his wife have seven children, whose record is as follows: Rosella was born March 2, 1874; Albert, Sept. 12, 1876; Gracie, Jan. 7, 1879; Luella, April 5, 1881; Amos R., April 22, 1883; Arnold, July 7, 1885; Parmor, Nov. 6, 1886.

            Mr. and Mrs. Baker are active, energetic, enterprising people, making them desirable members in a community which has such a promising future before it, and whose development is dependent upon the push of its citizens, for, although it has made wonderful progress in the few years that have elapsed since the first settlement was made here, with its advantages of a fine location, a healthful climate, and a marvelously rich soil, it is destined to become a great agricultural center with a large population. The Republican party has in Mr. Baker a faithful ally.

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