My Genealogy Hound

DAVID L. BAKER. A well-regulated farm in German Township, Clark County, is the home of the gentleman above named, the estate having been settled upon by his father, who was a pioneer of Clark County. Upon it our subject first saw the light of day, March 23, 1850, and around it the memories of his entire life cluster. He was educated in the public schools of the township, acquiring an excellent practical education, and received from his father a thorough understanding of agriculture, which he chose as his life work. The eighty acres of land which he owns are kept by him in excellent cultivation, and the natural fertility of the soil is improved by the use of the best fertilizing agents and a proper rotation of crops.

A young lady who was born in Pennsylvania and came to this county with her parents when quite young, won the regard of our subject and after a successful wooing he became her husband September 13, 1875. She bore the maiden name of Mary E. Kunkle and is a daughter of Andrew and Amelia Kunkle, the former of whom is now deceased and the latter living in Springfield. She possesses many excellent qualities and much useful knowledge. She has borne the following children: James A., Irvin A., Emma A., Harvey A., and Walter H.; Stella and Delbert D., are deceased.

The son of Christian parents, he of whom we write became imbued with good principles and follows the example set him by his father in favoring such projects as will tend to advance the material prosperity of the region or increase the intellectual and moral standing of the community. He is now serving as School Director of District No. 2, creditably discharging the duties of the office. Politically, he is a Democrat. In this he also following the example of his deceased father.

The parents of our subject were Jacob and Susannah (Lander) Baker, who bore a part in the pioneer work of development which has brought this county to its present high state of prosperity. In his younger days the father was a teamster, and he also followed the trade of a blacksmith for a number of years, the remainder of his days being spent as a farmer. Like most of his contemporaries the educational advantages which he enjoyed were very inferior to those of the present time, but such as they were he improved, adding to his store of knowledge by reading and observation. Both he and his wife were identified with the Lutheran Church and held in good repute by their associates. They were the parents of five children, of whom four are yet living. These are Zachariah, whose home is in Indiana; Melissa, wife of Samuel Maggert, of German Township; Barbara E., wife of Andrew Seitz, now living in Kansas; and he of whom we write. The father departed this life in March, 1863, while the mother survived until April, 1885.