My Genealogy Hound

John Baker, farmer, was born in Osage County, Mo., December 5, 1839, and is the son of Matthew S. and Hettie (Tabor) Baker, and grandson of James Baker, who was a native of the “Blue Grass, State,” and a soldier in the War of 1812. His wife, Rebecca (Small) Baker, was also a native of Kentucky, and was of Irish descent. James Tabor, the maternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in North Carolina, and immigrated to Tennessee at an early date, making the journey on pack-horses. His wife, Delila Tabor, was also from North Carolina, and also died in Tennessee. Matthew S. Baker was born in Wayne County, Ky., July 12, 1814, and remained in that State until six years of age, when he immigrated with his parents to Marion County, Tenn., remaining there for a number of years. He was educated principally by his own exertions, and later taught school. He immigrated to Missouri in 1835, settling in what is now Osage County, where he remained until 1855, engaged in farming. He then moved to Phelps County, remained there until 1860, and then moved to Camden County, where he was killed July 12, 1863. During his life he never held any office higher than justice of the peace. His wife, Hettie Tabor, was born in Rutherford County,, Tenn., May 28, 1814, and bore him twelve children, seven now living: John N., Matthew S., Delila A., Elizabeth, Hettie M., Nancy R. and Oliver T. Those deceased are Thomas H., Malinda J., James H. and, two small children. Mrs. Baker died in Phelps County, Mo., December, 1885, at the age of seventy-four years. John Baker, the subject of this sketch, was reared on his father’s farms in Osage and Phelps Counties, Mo., and as the country was sparsely settled, and schools and churches hardly known, his education as a consequence suffered. At the age of twenty-one he enlisted in Company A, First Missouri State Troops, but was afterward in Robert’s Company A, and served eight months, during which time he engaged in the Cole Camp light. He was discharged at Springfield, Mo., after which he went to Rolla, where he remained until Price’s raid. He then made two trips across the plains with Government supplies as far west as Denver and New Mexico. He then came home and cared for his mother, and December 20, 1866, he married Mrs. Sarah J. (Coldiron) McCommon, daughter of William and Mary (Howard) Coldiron, both of whom were born in Kentucky. Mrs. Baker was born January 8, 1842, in Laurel County, Ky., and came to Missouri when twelve years of age. By her union to Mr. Baker were born five children, four now living: Sarah A., Mary H., James M., John W. and an infant deceased. Mrs. Baker was the mother of a child by her former marriage. This child, William M., is deceased. Mr. Baker is the owner of 500 acres of land, 300 under cultivation. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, also the Odd Fellows lodge, and is politically a Democrat.