| Notes |
- from "Vital records of Phillipston, Massachusetts, to the end of the year 1849", 1906
Leonard Fiske, son of Silas Jr. and Abigail, was born Dec. 5, 1824.
- from "The Moline Dispatch", 20 Mar 1912 (newspapers.com)
ANOTHER PIONEER OF COUNTY IS AT REST
Leonard F. Baker, Merchant of Hampton for Half-Cdentury, Dies in Chicago
LONG IN PUBLIC OFFICE
Justice of Peace, Member of Board of Supervisors and Postmaster - Man of High Ideals
Leonard F. Baker, a resident of Rock Island county for sixty-two years and a merchant of Hampton for more than a half-century, died yesterday in Chicago at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J. Louis Wells. Death was a result of a stroke of paralysis which he suffered last Sunday. Mr. Baker retired form business about four years ago and since that time had been making his home with his children. Last Summer he had a slight paralytic stroke, while at the home of his son, S.S. Baker of Reynods. He recovered sufficiently from this to be removed to the home of his daughter in Chicago.
Something of His Life.
Lenard F. Baker was born in Worcester county, Mass., Dec. 5, 1824. He was a son of Captain Silas and Abagail (Hager) Baker, both natives of Massachusetts, his family being of English origin. His education was secured in the common schools and in the Massachusetts academy, where he remained a student for three years. He then engaged in teaching school for several years, and in 1850 came west to this county with the late M.W. Wright, for whom he worked as clerk in a general store in Hampton, for three years. In 1853 he went into partnership with the late H.F. Thomas and built a fine stock of goods. The business continued and prospered until the civil war, when Mr. Baker sold out. In 1852 he was elected justice of the peace of Hampton township and served in that office for thirty years. In 1865 he was elected to the board of supervisors and served for one term. For nearly seventeen years he served as postmaster. For a time he was in partnership, in merchandising, with the late Henry Clark. He continued in active business until 1893 and after that time the business was conducted under the name of L.F. Baker & Sons, S.S. and H.G. Baker being the active members of the firm.
Married in 1851
Mr. Baker was united in marriage Sept. 7, 1851, to Milla W. Sawyer, who was also a native of Massachusetts, and a member of one of its oldest families. His wife died in May, 1887. The surviving children are Mrs. John Louis Wells of Chicago, Howard Grant Baker of Rock Island, and Silas Sawyer Baker, a merchant of Reynolds, this county. Tow children died in infancy and Marion E. died in 1896. Mr. Baker was a whig before the republican party was formed, and then became an ardent republican and so remained until the time of his death. He was a good citizen, a staunch supporter of the Congregational church of which his late wife was an active and devoted member. Mr. Baker couldn't knowingly do wrong. That was the reputation he had among those who knew him best. His ideals were high and he lived up to them. He fought for what he believed to be right, but his fighting left no sting, because of his charity for the views and the rights of others. He took unto himself only that which he was willing to concede to others.
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1824 - 1912 (87 years)
Silas Baker, b. 5 Apr 1781, Phillipston, Worcester, MA 
