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Below is a family biography included in The History of McLean County, Illinois published by Wm. LeBaron, Jr. Co. in 1879.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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JOSEPH BAKER, farmer; P. O. McLean; was born Feb. 21, 1834, in Morgan Co., Ohio. When 18 months old, he came with his father to what is now De Witt Co., and remained there, engaged in farming for his father, until about 22 years old. He worked three seasons, breaking prairie for the public by ox-team. In 1856, he was married to Margaret Taylor, of Ohio. They immediately settled in De Witt Co., Ill. He rented for four years, and then bought a farm of eighty acres in De Witt Co., remaining for some time, and then moved to a farm in McLean Co., and remained some four years. He afterward sold out, and bought the present farm of 209 acres, and remained there five years. From there he moved to DeWitt Co., and settled on a farm given him by his father. He soon bought out three heirs, making him 136 acres, which he sold a year afterward, and moved back to his beautiful improved farm in Funk’s Grove. At his marriage, his father offered him forty acres of land, but he refused until later, and thus, with the aid of his industrious wife, made his beginning. He worked one season on the railroad, with ox-teams, at $5 per day. He has been Pathmaster, and has held offices connected with school interests. They have ten children, viz.: Rhoda A., Letha E., George C., Mary E., John W., Samuel G., Benjamin, Hattie May, Robert A., Joseph H.

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This family biography is one of 1257 biographies included in The History of McLean County, Illinois published by Wm. LeBaron, Jr. Co. in 1879.  View the complete description here: The History of McLean County, Illinois

View additional McLean County, Illinois family biographies here: McLean County, Illinois Biographies

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