Elmus Baker - Pioneer of Pioneers

Elmus Baker, Who Settled Here In the Early Days, Passed to the Beyond This Morning. He Was a Son of "Tut" Baker. Who Came to This Section of the State Before the Black Hawk War. Elmus Baker, the oldest inhabitant of Freeport, died at bis home, 179 Chestnut street, this forenoon from dropsy, after an illness that attacked him last March. The deceased would have been 66 years of age had he lived until Christmas day. He was born in Peoria, this state, and came here when six years of age, with his father, William Baker, who pre-empted the land from the government on which the city was built, his mother suggesting the name for the village. The family home in later years was built in the quarter of the city now known as "Baker Town,'' the name remaining as a reminiscence of the first settlers. Elmus was the third of a family of six children, who were, beside himself, John and Fred, now dead; Thomas, of Rock Island; Crawford, and Caroline, now Mrs. Enos Dahn, both of whom live In Kansas. His father and brother John, served in the Black Hawk war, and the deceased himself served through the war of the rebellion in Company F of the 92d regiment, Illinois volunteer mounted infantry, enlisting in August, 1862, and being mustered out in 1865. He was three times married, the first time in Freeport, and that wife bore him one child, now dead. The second marriage occurred in Iowa, and several children were born, all of whom are now dead except William Baker, of Rock Island, and Mrs. Almeda Sneath, of Wisconsin. His last marriage was to Miss I Parsons, at Wayne, Wi , in June, 1866. She with five children survive him as follows: Mrs. John Hartman, Frank, Charles, Sherman and Eva, all of Freeport. The death of Mr. Baker removes a historic personage from the city built on what was once his father's property, Many interesting reminiscences are recalled to those who knew him and his family in the early days, and the title of the oldes inhabitant falls to someone else. Had he lived three days longer be would have completed sixty years of life here, as the family settlement was made December 19, 1835. The funeral will take place tomorrow at the U B church at 2 o'clock. John A Davis post will have charge. All old soldiers are requested to meet at John A Davis post headquarters at 1 o'clock to attend the funeral. Freeport Daily Democrat Freeport, Stephenson County, Illinois, December 16, 1895. Submitted by: Dem Bones on 17 July 2002