C. BAKER, 96, SUMMONED IN FAMILY HOME
Funeral services for Aged Resident To Be Held From Evangelical Church.
Christopher Baker, aged 96, possibly Streator's oldest resident, died at his
home, 122 La Salle street at ?:10 o'clock yesterday afternoon, his passing being
attributed to an attack of influenza which he suffered a week ago, coupled with
the infirmities of old age.
Funeral services will be conducted in the Evangelical church at 2:30 o'clock
Sunday afternoon, with burial following in the family lot in Riverview cemetery.
Friends may call at the home for 11 o'clock tomorrow morning until the hour of
the service.
The son of Mr. and Mrs. Christian Baker, Mr. Baker was born in Meersdorf,
Baunschweig, Germany, October 24, 1842. At the age of eleven he was brought to
America by his parents, making the trip across the Atlantic in a sailing ship,
the ocean "liners" of that day. It required 12 weeks to make the trip. On
occasion it seemed that the destination would never be reached, the wind driving
the ship back over its course for days at time. Mr. Baker never tired of
relating those experiences which made such an impression on his youthful mind.
They arrived in this community ?? years ago, and it was Mr. Baker's pleasure to
see the wilderness hereabouts, grow into a thriving town with factories and
mines employing hundreds of people. Hardscrabble was a place of several store
building.
His father was one of five brothers who married five sisters, all of whom came
to America and Illinois to seek their fortune. All were farmers.
The marriage of Christopher Baker and Amelia Eberhard occurred in Mary, 1867 in
the Old Evangelical church which was located two miles east of Streator. It was
this church that the Baker family was instrumental in establishing after
settling on the rich farms in Otter Creek township.
Mr. and Mrs. Baker became the parent of seven children, only three of whom are
left, including Emeline Werner, Jesse E. Baker and Clayton L. Baker, the latter
two of Otter Creek township. Fred Baker died in 1926/8 and three other children
died in early childhood.
Mr. Baker retired from active farming 44 years ago when he moved to Streator,
residing for many years at 611 S. Bloomington street. He later built the La
Salle street home where he lived at the time of his passing. Living with him
have been his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Werner.
Mr. Baker is the last of his immediate family. He leaves in addition to the
above, ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Mrs. Baker died four
years ago. He has been affiliated with the Evangelical church since the age of
14 and was deeply concerned about its welfare at home and in the missionary
field.
Source: Streator Daily Times-Press, Friday, March 3, 1939
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