Tuesday, March 31, 2015

William Perry Baker, brother of Samuel Baker

From A Standard History of Jasper and Newton
Found at archive.org

A biographical sketch of Samuel Baker's brother, son of Bennager  and Mary Houck Baker. The family used to live in Tully Township, Marion County, Ohio and moved to Jasper, County, Indiana is 1852. Published 1916. This is the complete entry.

https://archive.org/stream/standardhistoryo02hami#page/48/mode/2up/search/baker


William Perry Baker. One of the pioneer personalities who gave the strength of their character and their industry to the up building of Jasper County was the late William Perry Baker and the record of his life runs like a thread of honor and integrity through the greater part of Jasper County's history since the time of early settlement. It was not in the conspicuous and abnormal events of the world that he figured, but in the commonplace routine of duty, in the fulfillment of his obligations as a man and citizen, and he deserves an enduring place in this historical record.
It was on Christmas Day, 1913, that William Perry Baker went to his final reward. He was born on a farm near Bucyrus in Crawford County, Ohio, August 14, 1838, and had therefore completed three-quarters of a century of life. His parents were Benajah and Mary (Houck) Baker, and of their nine children only one is still left. In 1852 the family moved from Ohio to Jasper County, Indiana. This county was then sparsely settled, only a comparatively few farms had been broken out from the wood and the prairies, and all life and customs were still on a primitive basis. The Baker family were not rich when they came to Jasper County and their first location was on the farm now owned by Grantville Moody. Several years later the father acquired land of his own, and in the more than sixty years since their advent the name has always stood for solid attainments.
Since he was fourteen years of age until his death William Perry Baker was a resident of Jasper County. On May 2, 1856, he married Maria Rees. He was an exceptionally hard working and industrious man. Both he and his wife lived exemplary lives and through their frugality accumulated considerable property. Mr. Baker was on of the old-fashioned characters now fast passing away. With only limited schooling, he possessed an unusual fund of good practical sense. His marked characteristics were his love of home, his industry and economy, and his rigid and unswerving honesty and his unblemished character as a man and citizen.
Mrs. Baker was born May 29, 1844 in Barkley Township of Jasper County, a member of one of the first pioneer families. Her parents were Major John and Eliza G (Hogue) Rees, who found a home in Barkley Township along with or soon after the coming of the very first settlers. Mrs. Baker grew to womanhood in Jasper County, became one of the early teachers, and was her husbands valuable aid in many of his business transactions. She died October 9, 1914. She was a Presbyterian in early training, but in later life with her husband joined the Methodist Church.
The Rees family was a mingled Scotch and Welsh ancestry, and in the various generation back as far as record goes there was a minister of the Presbyterian faith in almost regular succession. Eliza G. Hogue, the mother of Mrs. Baker, was of a family that settled in Virginia, probably near Richmond, in colonial days, and she herself was a native of that state. The Houges became extensive planters and slave owners. Rev. Mr. Hogue, the grandfather of Mrs. Rees, left to each of his children, among other property, two slaves. For forty years or more he had charge of one church in old Virginia.
To Mr. and Mrs. Baker were born two children. The son, Lawrence W., is now a resident in the West. Vivian, the daughter married Clement Taylor Boicourt, and is now living in Rensselear, Indiana. She is the mother of three children: Loren Edward, Hillman Eugene and Frances Leona. Mrs. Boicourt is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Clement T. Boicourt was a native of White County, Indiana, born near Wolcott July 15, 1874. He grew to manhood there and received a practical education, having been a graduate of the Wolcott High School. He later entered a dry goods store and continued as a salesman for some times, and it was while engaged as a clerk that he became acquainted with Miss Vivian Baker, to whom he was married on the 3rd of February, 1903. He then engaged in the dry goods business in Wolcott, thus continuing from 1903 to 1914, and closing out the business only on account of ill health. Soon after the death of his father-in-law, William P. Baker, he moved to Rensselaer with his family, and resided there until his death, May 4, 1915. Mr. Boicourt was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which he joined when but ten years of age, and continued as a faithful member. He was a gentleman of the strictest integrity and honor, and he was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him, and his friends and acquaintances were many. At his death he left a father, E. J. Boicourt, and a step-mother at Wolcott, also a brother at Beach Wood, Indiana, and his widow and three children. 



Burial:
Weston Cemetery 
Rensselaer
Jasper County
Indiana, USA
Plot: Sec D Bl 32 Lot 4 Sp 1

William P
Aug. 14, 1838
Dec. 25, 1913

Baker William P Burial Dec 25 1913 Book 2 p 68 Sec D Bl 32 Lot 4 Sp 1 (Wm P Baker)

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Mary Houck Baker Ball, wife of Bennagar Baker, mother of Samuel Baker buried in Rensselaer, Indiana

Birth: May, 1815
Death: Jul. 24, 1888

daughter of Jacob Philip Houck & Polly Connor

former wife of Bennagar Baker

wife of Z. Ball

Family links:
 Spouse:
  Bennagar Baker (1806 - 1872)

 Children:
  Rebecca Baker Kennedy (1834 - 1911)*

*Calculated relationship
 
Burial:
Welsh Cemetery
Rensselaer
Jasper County
Indiana, USA
  

Bennager Baker, father of Samuel Baker buried in Rensselaer, Indiana

Bennager Baker, father of Samuel Baker

Birth: Apr. 3, 1806
Schenectady County
New York, USA
Death: Oct. 10, 1872
Jasper County
Indiana, USA

son of Robert Baker & Rhoda Sherwood

Family links:
 Spouse:
  Mary Houck Ball (1815 - 1888)*

 Children:
  Rebecca Baker Kennedy (1834 - 1911)*

*Calculated relationship
Burial:
Welsh Cemetery
Rensselaer
Jasper County
Indiana, USA
 

Monday, March 16, 2015

There are over 150 posts on this website, each with several pictures or documents.  When you scroll down keep clicking on "Older Posts" to see more. On each post you can add comments and read comments that others have written. You can also subscribe to this blog on the left hand side and you will receive an email when new posts are added. If you want to search for a particular name or phrase you will find a search area on the left hand side also. Hope you enjoy the photos and information. The next reunion is July 19, 2015.

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Ralph Clarence Kennedy, son of Thomas Shanks Kennedy and nephew of Lydia Kennedy Baker

Message from Dwight Kennedy, who submitted the photos.

Ralph Clarence Kennedy, he was the 7th of 9 sons born to Thomas Shank Kennedy and Hester Frances Monnett. Born August 20, 1888, he married Ethel Vira Ford (12/27/1886-4/10/1981). Ralph moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana for some time before he moved out to California. A photo shows him in front of the Auburn Garage with fellow employees (I suppose). I also attached a photo of him with a college friend (apparently while attending college).
He later left Indiana for San Luis Obispo, CA where he was mayor in 1945.  Below are several photos of his family, years after the Baker trip to California.
Left - Ralph Kennedy

Ralph Kennedy, second from right
Left to Right
Amy Kennedy Stump, Ralph Clarence Kennedy (brother and sister) Ethel Vira Ford Kennedy, Sam Stump
Boy in front - Harold Burnside
This is a picture from the Ohio family to visit California that is detailed in a previous post below.
Ralph and Ethel Kennedy with family
Lucy (White) Ethel (Ford), Ralph Clarence, Sharon (Swain) Mervin Monnett, Ralph Clarence Jr.

L- R Ralph Kennedy, Mervin Monnett Kennedy, Ethel Kennedy, Ralph Clarence Kennedy Jr,
Grandchildren in front


Thomas Shank Kennedy Home, brother of Lydia Kennedy Baker




1985
1940








The picture was taken in 1887. The persons pictured are:

Thomas S. Kennedy & Hester Frances are seated. James Corvin (1885) in Thomas' lap. Olive Edna (1887) in Hester's lap.
Children standing (L-R): William Centennial (1876)?, Otho Walter (1878)?, Amy Elva (1883 - next to mother), farm hand, Thomas Mervin (1875)
Sitting on ground: Myron Geddis (1881), Orange Dwight (1879)




Photos courtesy of Dwight Kennedy, a family member and reader of the Ohio Baker Family website. These are pictures of the 'Big House' which Thomas Shank Kennedy (brother of Lydia Kennedy Baker) built and they had a picture taken with the family out front in 1887(not included). Dwight Kennedy found that one at the Crawford Co. Historical Society along with a long photo of the 1935 Monnett Reunion.

I took a picture in 1985 of the"'Big House" at 2570 Monnette-New Winchester Road on the NE corner of Route 98 and it is attached, said Dwight Kennedy. It was torn down sometime in the early 1990s, so I'm glad I found it when I did. I also found the farm that my great-grandfather Orange Kennedy lived on.


Thomas Shank Kennedy was born in 1848 to William Kerr and Margaret Shanks Kennedy. He married Francis Monnett and 12 children were born to this union. One son was Orange Kennedy born in 1879 that is referred to above and was Dwight's great-grandfather.

Photo of Thomas Shank Kennedy's Family, brother of Lydia Kennedy Baker

What a wonderful picture of the Thomas Shank Kennedy's family that was taken about 1908

Back row (L-R, 5 people in the very back); Almet Eugene (1892), James Corvin (1885), Myron Geddis (1881), Otho Walter (1878),  Amy Elva Kennedy Stump

Middle row (4 people standing behind seated people); Ralph Clarence (1888), Olive Edna (1887), Orange Dwight (1879), William Centennial (born in 1876)

Front row (sitting in chairs); Myrtle Flossie Kennedy Lisle (1890) , Thomas Shank Kennedy (father 1848-1926), Hester Frances Monnett Kennedy (mother), Thomas Mervin ( 1875 oldest)

One child not pictured: Jay Monnett Kennedy (1894-1896)



Thomas and Nancy Kerr Kennedy's Gravesites, 16 Cemetery, Crawford County, Ohio. Parents of William Kerr Kennedy and grandparents of Lydia Kennedy Baker

Thomas Kennedy
Thomas Kennedy
Birth: Sep. 7, 1792
Juniata County
Pennsylvania, USA
Death: Jan. 7, 1847
Marion County
Ohio, USA


 Children:
  William Kerr Kennedy (1818 - 1897)*
  Martha Kennedy (1819 - 1848)*
  Margaretta Kennedy (1821 - 1901)*
  John Kennedy (1824 - 1864)*
  Nancy Jane Kennedy Crissinger (1827 - 1865)*
  Thomas Kennedy (1829 - 1900)*
  Mary Ellen Kennedy Dickson (1836 - 1901)*
  George Washington Kennedy (1839 - 1909)*Burial:
Sixteen Cemetery 
Crawford County
Ohio, USA
Plot: Row 11 Lot 80

Nancy B <i>Kerr</i> Kennedy
Nancy B Kerr Kennedy
Nancy Kerr Kennedy

Birth: Oct. 13, 1795
Pennsylvania, USA
Death: Mar. 13, 1862
Marion County
Ohio, USA

Location of the William Kerr Kennedy Home

Below are two pictures from Google that shows the location of the William Kerr Kennedy home. The home burnt down some time ago and none of the original buildings are there anymore. A new garage stands. This home was located in northern Marion County, Ohio in Tully Township. It is located on the corner of Timpson Road and Crawford-Marion Road. Timpson Road turns into Goldsmith Road after you cross the road and enter Crawford County.



1878 Marion County map
Published by the Marion County Historical Society
It is difficult to read but if you go to this exact location on the map you can see W.K. Kennedy's name
It is along the northern border, right under the word Crawford where it says Crawford County. I also verified this with some long time residents of the area and the Tully Township Trustees.
The road is actually Crawford - Marion Rd. The both roads changes names since it is Marion county on one side and Crawford county on the other. This makes it even more difficult to find unfortunately.



Original Home

Friday, February 13, 2015

William Kerr Kennedy and Mary Lance Kennedy home


William Kerr Kennedy & Mary Lance Family – 1895?

Seated on porch: Fern Roberts (against pillar), William Kerr Kennedy, Mary (Lance) Kennedy 

Standing on porch (back row; L-R): J. Madison Roberts, Samuel Baker, Emma (Kennedy) Roberts, Lydia J. (Kennedy) Baker, J. William Kennedy (behind pillar), Emma (Holverstott) Kennedy, Ellsworth Jones, Samira (Kennedy) Jones, Thomas S. Kennedy (behind pillar), Hester Frances (Monnett) Kennedy holding Jay M., Tommy Baker, John Hill, Davey Baker, Ella (Margaret Kennedy) Hill 

Left of steps – front row, sitting: Reina Roberts, Wesley Roberts, Wreatha Hill 

Left of steps – middle row, seated: Branch Roberts, Sylvia Baker, Thomas Mervin Kennedy, Mabel Edna Kennedy 

Left of steps – back row, standing:, Orange D. Kennedy, [?], Otho Kennedy, Della Baker 

Sitting on steps – front row: [?], Homer Jones, Vernon Baker, Vance Roberts, Ralph C. Kennedy 

Sitting on steps – middle row: Ethel Grace Kennedy (in front of pillar), [?], [?], [?], Almet E. Kennedy (in front of pillar) 

Sitting on steps – back row: Hertha Baker, Lois E. Kennedy, Myrtle F. Kennedy, Clair Hill, [?],  

Right of steps – front row, sitting: [?], James Corvin Kennedy, Olive E. Kennedy, Myron G. Kennedy

Right of steps – middle row, seated: Rhoda Baker, Lydia Idro Baker, William Baker 

Right of steps – back row, standing: Amy Kennedy, Ervin Roberts, William Centennial Kennedy
 
Biographical Sketch of William Kerr Kennedy below from the History of Marion County, published 1883, found on archive.org

William Kerr Kennedy is financially one of the most prosperous men in Tully Township. He began life by working for $6.00 a month, and is worth $60,000. He was born February 16, 1818, in Mifflin County, Penn, and is the son of Thomas and Nancy Kennedy, of Irish descent, who came to Crawford County, Ohio in 1832. The common school gave Mr. Kennedy his education. In 1843, he purchased eighty acres of land, paying $400.00 cash, wages he had previously earned working by the day or month. His subsequent labors were greatly prospered, having owned at on time 820 acres of good land; he owns 650 acres of land; 375 acres if homestead and 115 acres timbered land in Dallas Township. His stock of thirteen horses is valued at $1500, ten steers at $500, and 200 sheep at $1,000. As an index of his labor, we note that he cleared 100 acres of timberland. As a citizen, he has been quiet and successful, never suing or being sued at the bar of justice. Mr Kennedy contracted his first marriage May 28, 1844 with Miss Margaret Shank, daughter of Jacob and Lydia Shank, of Crawford County, Ohio. Nine children have blessed their union, two dying in infancy; the living are Lydia J. (wife of Samuel Baker), Thomas S., Martha (wife of George Watts), J. W. (at home), Emma (wife of Madison Roberts), Anzilla, and Ella (wife of John Hill). His wife's decease occurred June 23, 1860. In 1862, he married Miss Mary Lance. Their one child Samira, is the wife of Elsie Jones, of Iberia. Mr. Kennedy is the grandfather of twenty-six children; his attractive home cost $5,000.

Names and identification makers are listed on the two documents from Bill
Watts.
















Photos courtesy of Bill Watts posted on Growing Up in Marion.

These are Watts family portraits. George Watts was the husband of both Martha and Anzilla Kennedy. Martha died and George later married her sister Anzilla. Martha and Anzilla were both sisters of Lydia Jane Kennedy Baker.

Family portrait dated 1897.  George K Watts with his wife Anzilla Kennedy Watts, George R. Watts in back,  Elva Watts, and the young man in the front is Lester D. Watts. The Watts family from Morral, O. Anzilla Kennedy is a sister of Lydia Kennedy Baker.


Growing Up In Marion Ohio-date 1907.  George Kennedy Watts and Sadie Ardella Warner Watts. That youngster with the bangs is  Foster Ralph Watts. Photography done in the Bruns Kitt Studio, Marion.
  •  Oded Watts on the right (d.o.b. 1877). Son of Martha Kennedy Watts and George Watts.  
  • Unidentified man on the left.

George Watts and Martha Kennedy marriage license, State of Ohio, County of Marion, dated June 2nd, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy (1870). Martha later died and George Watts then married her sister Miss Anzilla Kennedy. Both were sisters of Lydia Kennedy Baker.



Sunday, January 11, 2015

482 Islay St. San Luis Opispo, California

Back Row L-R Sam Stump, Ralph Kennedy, Mildred Baker, daughter of Thomas, Thomas Baker
Middle Row L-R Sadie Thew Baker, Fern Roberts, Ethel Kennedy, Amy Stump
Front Row L-R Elaine Furniss, grand daughter of Sadie and Vernon Baker and Harold Burnside
In the 40s, the Baker's and relatives took a trip to California to visit David Baker and Robert Kennedy and family. I posted the black and white photos on this website and a relative I haven't met, John Parker- Kennedy, happened to find the photo. He commented on  the  black and white photo and give me the exact address.

The California group photo with three rows was taken in front of Ralph C. Kennedy 's 482 Islay St., San Luis Obispo, California's home. His wife, standing in middle row, third from left, was incorrectly identified as Ralph Baker wife. Her name was Ethel Vira Ford Kennedy. The front step to the house still bear the inscription of Ralph C. Kennedy. Posted by Grandson, John M. Parker-Kennedy of Paso Robles, Ca.

The next picture is the house they are standing in front of (not visible in the original black and white photo) that John says bears the the inscription of Ralph C. Kennedy.

The last picture is a Google  picture across the street. You can see the outline of  the house in the background and the same mountain ridge. It is amazing what you can find on the internet.

482 Islay St. San Luis Opispo, California
482 Islay St. San Luis Opispo, California
Back Row LtoR - Sam Stump, Ralph Kennedy, Vernon Baker, Thomas Baker
Middle Row LtoR - Sadie Baker, Fern Roberts. Ethel Vira Ford Kennedy, Amy Stump
Front Row - Elaine Furniss Morton, daughter of Wyona Baker Furniss,  Harold Burnside



View from 482 Islay St. Match the house and mountains in the background with
the house in the background on the black and white photos above, Not the same angle
but the same spot the picture was taken.


Thursday, January 8, 2015

Amazing Story - Photos of William Kerr Kennedy and Mary Lance Kennedy Bible



Thank you to Erin Kelley for these pictures. An amazing story, Erin purchased a bible many years ago on ebay. She was curious of who the bible belonged to and searched the internet. She found this Baker Family website and matched the names with the engraving on front of the bible. She posted a comment and we were able to talk. She was gracious enough to take her time to take some pictures of the bible and send them to me. This is the William Kerr Kennedy and Mary Lance Kennedy's bible. It has a publisher date of 1875. These are handwritten dates of the marriages, births and deaths. It is amazing that someone would have this bible and be able to find the family it originated from. Erin says she enjoys reading the bible and uses it as reference. Thank you Erin for taking your time to share these pictures with our family. 



Tuesday, December 16, 2014

The next Baker Family Reunion is July 19, 2015. Keep that Sunday open. The reunion is moved to another location close by. Details to follow.  
12:00 noon until 4:00 p.m.

Merry Christmas to all at Grandpa Vernon Baker's house 1949

Photo 4
Back of Photo 4
The date says this must be Christmas 1949.

Thursday, August 14, 2014

There are over 100 posts on this website, each with several pictures or documents.  When you scroll down keep clicking on "Older Posts" to see more. On each post you can add comments and read comments that others have written. You can also subscribe to this blog on the left hand side and you will receive an email when new posts are added. If you want to search for a particular name or phrase you will find a search area on the left hand side also. Hope you enjoy the photos and information.

Thursday, July 31, 2014

July 27, 2014 Baker Family Reunion

About 15 members of the Baker family met for the annual family reunion. Rain was in the forecast but we stayed nice and dry in the shelter. We all had a great time catching up with the years activities and family history. We decided to have the Baker reunion on July 19th next year. This is a week earlier since several members weren't able to come today because of other family reunions. Charlotte Gibb Sabino (granddaughter of Vernon Baker, daughter of Hilda Baker Gibb) is next years president and reunion organizer.  Hope to see more next year!