My Genealogy Hound

George W. Baker, one of the prosperous and prominent farmers of Rose township, Oakland County, residing on a well cultivated farm of 160 acres, situated in sections 5 and 6, was born in 1847 in Hamilton, Canada, and was brought by his parents to Oakland County when less than a year old. He is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Hardriker) Baker, both of whom are deceased.

Thomas Baker was born in Vermont and died in Detroit in 1865, aged 60 years. His wife was born in Utica, New York, and died in Chicago in 1893, aged 84 years. They were married in the State of New York and then removed to Canada. There Mr. Baker engaged in the jewelry business, at Hamilton, Ontario, following the same line of business later at Detroit and at Albion, Michigan. The surviving members of their family are: George W., of this sketch; Richard H., a jeweler of Topeka, Kansas; Mrs. Elbert Crofoot, of Detroit, a niece-in-law of Judge Crofoot, of Pontiac; and Mrs. Frances Gray, of Cripple Creek, Colorado.

George W. Baker secured a good education in his early boyhood in the various towns where his father was engaged in business, and was about 18 years of age when he came to the present farm which had been secured by his father from the government. He had been associated with his father in the jewelry business prior to that time, but since then has given his attention mainly to farming. Few farms in Rose township are better located as to natural attractions and advantages, one portion lying along the shores of Baker Lake, which is noted for its beautiful scenery and fine fish. Mr. Baker has put fine improvements on his farm and it is not only a delightful home but a very productive piece of realty.

Mr. Baker was married to Frances A. Carpenter, who was born in Rochester, New York, and came to Michigan when 18 years old. She is a daughter of Robert Carpenter, who followed a tailoring business at Fenton, Michigan, but died at Brooklyn, New York, where Mrs. Baker’s two half brothers, Clifford and Randolph, and her sister, Mrs. Horace Baldwin, reside. Her other sister, Mrs. Ely, lives at Rochester, New York. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Baker are: Elizabeth, who is the wife of Burton Seeley, of Rose township, Oakland County; George T., who is engaged in the jewelry business at Belding, Michigan; Louie, who is teaching near Davisburg, Oakland County; and Mary Grace and Charles Robert, who are students in the local schools. One child died in infancy. Mrs. Baker and two daughters are members of the Protestant Episcopal Church.

Mr. Baker votes independently, preferring not to be bound by any party ties. He is well known and much respected in his locality and was continued on the board of school directors by his neighbors for 10 years, when he resigned, considering that he had done his full duty in that direction.