PIONEER RESIDENT ANSWERS FINAL CALL
Silas Baker Aged 87 Years, Dies at His Home, East of Lawrenceville. By the death of Silas Baker, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Alice Ryman, just east of Lawrenceville, O., Sunday morning, German township loses one of her old pioneers, who has been a resident of the township for nearly ninety years.
Mr. Baker, was born February 6th, 1824, on the same premises where his father landed when he came to the neighborhood, and what is now known as the Elias Baker farm situated but a short distance from the village of Lawrenceville. He was the oldest son of Samuel and Mary (Nawman) Baker of Virginia, coming to Springfield in 1811, about one hundred years ago. They lived there for several years prior to moving to the Elias Baker farm, which was purchased by them in an early day for probably not to exceed two or three dollars per acre.
Mr. Baker is survived by one sister, Mrs. Mary Ann Patterson, Portland, Ind., and the following children:
Dr. W. W. Baker, of Casstown, O.;
Emery Baker and
Mrs. Thomas Ream, of Springfield, O., and
Mrs. Alice Ryman [wife of Harrison Ryman], of near Lawrenceville, O. J
erry and Joanna Baker, preceded their father. Mrs. Elizabeth [Friermood, daughter of Reuben Friermood] Baker, his wife, died about two years ago, and his brother Elias Baker, died several years ago.
Held Offices of Trust
The decedent served as township clerk of his township for fourteen consecutive years. He also was township trustee for at least six years or more. He was in former years a member of Tremont City Grange, and held office in this order which was discharged with honor to himself and the community. He lived upon his farm near Lawrenceville until about seven years ago when he retired and purchased a beautiful home in the village, where they lived until the death of Mrs. Baker. After her death he made his home with the daughter, Mrs. Ryman. Mr. Baker grew up with the township affairs, he having excellent judgment and was consulted about the many affairs of the running of the township. The decedent was one of the promoters of the Lawrenceville high school, for years he being a member of the board of education, and was a strong advocator of education of the young men and women of the neighborhood.
He was prominent in church work at Lawrenceville, being a life-long member of the of the Reformed church at his native town, holding many positions in the church and was regarded as one of the peers of the church society at that place. His last birthday, which was but a few weeks ago was celebrated by his friends and acquaintances giving him a postcard shower with greetings to the number of near 150 cards. They were greatly appreciated by him and many hours were spent in reading these greetings and tokens of love and respect which they bore. Notwithstanding his age and the many infirmities that he had to battle against, it was pleasant for him to mingle with his friends and have pleasant talks together, but his work was done. He was called to his reward. Uncle Silas Baker, as he was every where known and called, will be missed, not only at Lawrenceville, but in the entire neighborhood and wherever he was known.
The funeral of Mr. Silas Baker will be held at the Reformed church in Lawrenceville, Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. Interment at the Lawrenceville cemetery.
