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JAMES W. BAKER, a successful general farmer of Franklin Township, resides on his birthplace farm, a valuable tract of 170 acres, a large part of which he has under a fine state of cultivation. He was born in Franklin Township,
Butler County, Pennsylvania, June 16, 1852, and is a son of Joseph Cadwallader and Katherine (Kockenberry) Baker. The grandfather, Cadwallader Baker, was the first settler in this part of Franklin Township when he came here from New York about 1808. He purchased 600 acres of
Government land and cleared up a large part of it for his own use. He lived to the age of eighty-two years.
Joseph Cadwallader Baker, father of James W., was born in Franklin Township in 1812 and died February 2, 1892, from an attack of grippe, having formerly enjoyed good health, in spite of his advanced years. He followed farming all his active life. In politics he was an
old-time Democrat and in his earlier years filled township offices. Of his family of eight children the following reached maturity: Frank, who resides near North Liberty, in Brady Township; Sarah Jane, who is the wddow of Jacob Campbell, of Isle; Polly, who is the widow of
Robert Brown, of Clay Township; Maria, who is the wife of Matthew Badger, of Franklin Township; Margaret, who is the wife of Israel Shaffer, of Franklin Township; James W.; and Effie, who is the wife of John Stine, of Franklin Township. The parents of the above mentioned
family were worthy members of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, in which Mr. Baker was a deacon for several years.
James W. Baker attended the district schools through boyhood and ever since reaching manhood has engaged in farming and stockraising. His main crops are corn, oats, wheat and hay, and he keeps about six cows and raises thirty head of sheep. He is ranked with the best farmers
of this section. Mr. Baker married Miss Katherine Stine, a daughter of Henry Stine, of Brady Township, Butler County, and they have had six children, as follows: William, residing at Pittsburg; Joel, living at Butler; Emma, wife of Herbert Shever, of Butler Township; Harry (deceased),
and Earl and Clarence, both at home. Mr. Baker and his family are members of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Like his father he votes with the Democratic party but he takes no very great interest in politics.
Source: 20th century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and respresentative citizens, McKee, James A., 1909, page 667-668.
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