Samuel James Baker (1845 - 1893)

Born 27 Jun 1845 in Barre, Orleans, New York, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (Bravener) Birkhead — married 21 Sep 1887 (to 1 Apr 1893) in Whitby, Durham, Ontario, Canada

Descendants

Died 1 Apr 1893 at age 47 in Santa Ana, Orange, California, USA

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Peggy Watkins [send private message] and Joan Stewart Smith [send private message]

Biography

Samuel James Baker, also called by his middle name James, was born on 27 Jun 1845 in Barre, Orleans County, New York. He was 7th of the 8 children of George B. Baker and Dorcas Taylor Griffen. His siblings were Martha Ann (Baker) Robson, Eliza Ann Freelove (Baker) Hoyt, Mary Jane (Baker) Miller, Phebe Griffen (Baker) Healy, William Henry Baker, Julia O. (Baker) Burk and Flora Elizabeth (Baker) Woolsey.^[1]

The obituary of Samuel's older sister Eliza (Baker) Hoyt, born 11 years before Samuel, said that Eliza was born in Verona, Oneida County, New York in 1834, which implies that the family lived there at the time.^[2]

The family then moved 150 miles west to Barre, Orleans County, New York, as Samuel's youngest sister Libby's birth record names her birth place as Barre.^[3] Family members fit the ages in one of the two George Baker households in Barre on the 1840 U.S. census.^[4]

By 1850, the George B. Baker household was living in Elba, Genesee County, New York, where Samuel's family had moved a few miles south from Barre to the next county.^[5] The southern boundary of Barre is shared with the towns of Elba and Oakfield in Genesee County.

Elba is where his maternal Griffen grandparents, and other aunts and uncles, had also moved, from Oneida County, New York and Dutchess County, New York, per Samuel's Aunt Julia Ann (Griffen) Travis' 1895 obituary.^[6]

About 1865, Samuel, his parents George and Dorcas, and other family members moved 655 miles west to Lyons, Walworth County, Wisconsin. The last time Samuel's parents, who died in Lyons, were recorded on the census was the 1860 U.S. Census in Elba, Genesee County, New York,^[7] while Samuel worked as a farm laborer on the Elba farm of Joseph Halsted.^[8]

Per the 1870 census, Samuel worked as a farm laborer on the farm of O.P. Standish in Geneva, Walworth County, Wisconsin .^[9]

He then moved to Fayette County, Iowa, where his sister Libby and her husband George Woolsey had moved. According to the 1880 census, he worked as a farm laborer on the farm of Burnett Coffin in Auburn Township, Fayette County, Iowa.^[10]

Marriage

Samuel married Elizabeth Bravener, her 1st husband, on 21 Sep 1887 in the Presbyterian church in Whitby, Ontario, Canada. Elizabeth was born in Ontario, Canada, the daughter of William Bravener and Marion Sinclair.^[11] Her death record names her birth date as 24 Sep 1866,^[12] but census records support the year as closer to 1862.

Children

Samuel and his wife Elizabeth had the following children in Alpha, Fayette County, Iowa:

1. Eveline A Baker, born about 1889,^[13][14] married Jesse L. Elliott
2. Mary Dixon Baker, born in Feb 1891,^[15] married Paul Leslie Talbott,^[16] Russell James Wheeler^[17][18]
3. Vernie Baker (1892-1893)

Death

The family moved 1,850 miles southwest from Alpha, Fayette County, Iowa to Santa Ana, Orange County, California, where Samuel, aged 47, soon died of accidental poisoning on 1 Apr 1893.^[19] He was buried there in Santa Ana Cemetery.^[20]

After Samuel died, his widow Elizabeth married her 2nd husband, William Alexander Birkhead, a year later on 14 Mar 1894 in San Bernardino County, California.^[21] Elizabeth and her 2nd husband William had two sons, Louis Ripley Birkhead^[22] and Robert Howig Birkhead.^[23]

Elizabeth, aged 61, died on 5 Apr 1952 in Santa Ana, Orange County, California, and was buried there in Fairhaven Memorial Park.^[24] Her 2nd husband William had died 29 years previously on 14 Feb 1923 in Orange County, California.^[25]

Census

United States Census, 1850

Elba, Genesee County, New York, United States

George B Baker M 44 New York

Dorcas Baker F 43 New York

Phebe Baker F 11 New York

William H Baker M 9 New York

Julia Baker F 6 New York

Samuel J Baker M 4 New York

Elisabeth Baker F 2 New York^[5]

United States Census, 1860

Elba, Genesee County, New York, United States

Joseph Holsted M 45 New York

Anna Holsted F 46 New York

Theodora Holsted F 5 New York

Samuel Baker M 14 New York

Frances Howland F 16 Massachusetts

Dallas Howland M 15 Massachusetts

Daniel Howland M 15 Massachusetts

Salinda Howland F 13 New York

Susan Howland F 13 New York

John Howland M 9 New York^[8]

United States Census, 1870

Geneva, Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States

O P Standish M 57 New York

Alice Standish F 53 New York

Helen Standish F 27 Wisconsin

Herbert Standish M 25 Wisconsin

Herman Standish M 21 Wisconsin

Harold Standish M 12 Wisconsin

James Baker M 25 New York

Minnie Kiebach F 25 Germany^[9]

United States Census, 1880

Auburn Township, Fayette County, Iowa, United States

Burnett Coffin M 37 Married Head Keeps Store New York, United States

Sarah Coffin F 38 Married Wife Keeping House Pennsylvania, United States

James Baker M 35 Single Other Farm Laborer New York, United States^[10]

Research Notes

Daughter, Mary Dixon Baker, had to be born before 1894 although her delayed birth record indicates she was born on 18 Feb 1894. Samuel died on 1 Apr 1893 and Elizabeth remarried on 14 Mar 1894. The 1900 census has Mary's birth recorded as: Feb 1891. See Mary's profile for details.

Sources

1. ↑ Ellsworth, Phebe May Fellows. The Many Branches; Genealogy of These Families, Fellows, Woolsey, Stewart, Ellsworth, Towslee. Compiled and self-published, Monroe, Green, Wisconsin, 1985 [Because sources were not readily available at the time, this book contains some inaccuracies. The author is the grandniece of Samuel James Baker.]
2. ↑ Obituary of Eliza (Baker) Hoyt, Unidentified Newspaper, Dec 1891. “Died Sunday morning Dec. 6, at the residence of her son, Eliza Hoyt, aged 57 years. Deceased was born in Verona, Oneida County, N.Y. January 1, 1834 …” etc.
3. ↑ "New York Births and Christenings, 1640-1962", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FDLW-WGW : 18 January 2020), GS Film Number 1010198, Digital Folder Number 007585925, Image Number 00109. Elizabeth T Baker born 15 Sep 1847, parents "George B. and Dorcas Baker", Barre Orleans County [Transcription incorrectly says “Bane”.]
4. ↑ "United States Census, 1840," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHTR-X9H : 30 September 2021), Barre, Orleans, New York, United States, Household of George G. Baker, 7 total: 1 Male: 15-19 [UNKNOWN], 1 Male: 30-39 [GEORGE], 2 Females: Under 5 [MARY JANE, PHEBE], 2 Females: 5-9 [MARTHA, ELIZA ANN], 1 Female: 30-39 [DORCAS]
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCYX-JWM : 23 December 2020), Samuel J Baker in household of George B Baker, Elba, Genesee, New York, United States; citing Affiliate Film: 508, Affiliate Publication: M432, NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
6. ↑ Obituary of Julia Ann (Griffin) Travis, Elkhorn Independent, Elkhorn, Walworth, Wisconsin, May 1895. Excerpt: "...Deceased was born Oct. 27th 1811, in Dutchess County, NY, and was the daughter of Charles and Martha Griffin. She moved with her parents to Oneida county in 1828, thence to Genesee county in 1831 ..."
7. ↑ "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCWF-8YR : 18 February 2021), George B Baker household, Elba, Genesee, New York, United States
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1} "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCWF-6W8 : 18 February 2021), Elba, Genesee County, New York, Samuel Baker in household of Joseph Holsted
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1} "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNSZ-LCD : 29 May 2021), Geneva, Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States, James Baker, farmhand, in household of O.P. Standish
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1} "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MD28-ZLL : 14 January 2022), Auburn Township, Fayette, Iowa, United States, James Baker, farm laborer, in household of Burnett Coffin
11. ↑ "Canada, Ontario Marriages, 1869-1927," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FMJY-WTQ : 8 March 2021), James Baker and Elizabeth Bravener, 21 Sep 1887, Whitby township, Ontario, Canada, groom’s age 42, groom’s residence, Alpha, Iowa, bachelor, farmer, parents George Baker, Dorcas Griffin, bride age 25, Whitby township, parents William Bravener, Marion Sinclair, witness John S. Ballantine, Agnes J Sinclair, Whitby, religion of couple Presbyterian
12. ↑ "California Death Index, 1940-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VP76-7SG : 26 November 2014), Elizabeth Birkhead died 5 Apr 1952 in Orange, Calfornia, born 24 Sep 1866 in Canada.
13. ↑ Marriage of daughter, Evelyn: "California, County Marriages, 1850-1953," database with images, (FamilySearch Record: K8ZV-54K : accessed 14 July 2023) FamilySearch Image: 3QSQ-G93H-H9HC-C Image number 00758, James Baker in marriage record of daughter, Evelyn A Baker to Jesse L Elliott on 1 Dec 1910 in Los Angeles, California, United States; citing Page: 89; FHL microfilm: 2074036.
14. ↑ Memorial of daughter, Eveline: "Find a Grave," database with images, (Find A Grave: Memorial #58628592 : accessed 14 July 2023), Memorial page for Evelyn Agnes Baker Elliott (24 Jun 1889-26 Nov 1962), citing Fairhaven Memorial Park, Santa Ana, Orange County, California, USA (plot: Lawn L); Maintained by T&C Lloyd (contributor 47320243). Includes gravestone image with death date.
15. ↑ Birth of daughter, Mary Dixon: "Iowa, Delayed Birth Records, 1850-1939," database with images, (FamilySearch Record: Q246-H1YC : accessed 14 July 2023) FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-CS34-41HM Image number 03640, James Baker in birth record of Mary Dixon Baker, born on 18 Feb 1894 in Alpha, Fayette, Iowa, United States.
16. ↑ Marriage of daughter, Mary Dickson: "California Marriages, 1850-1945," database, (FamilySearch Record: 41D9-BJT2 : accessed 14 July 2023), James Baker in marriage record of daughter, Mary Dickson Baker to Paul Leslie Talbott on 12 Jun 1913 in Santa Ana, Orange, California, United States; citing FHL microfilm: 1290104; Record number: 70.
17. ↑ Death of daughter, Mary Dixon: "California Death Index, 1940-1997," database, (FamilySearch Record: VPX6-5X2 : accessed 14 July 2023), Baker in death record for daughter, Mary Dixon Wheeler, 5 Sep 1987 in Los Angeles, California, United States.
18. ↑ Memorial of daughter, Mary Dixon: "Find a Grave," database with images, (Find A Grave: Memorial #200766206 : accessed 14 July 2023), Memorial page for Mary Dixon Baker Wheeler (18 Feb 1894-5 Sep 1987), citing Woodlawn Cemetery, Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California, USA; Maintained by CindyLulu (contributor 46778882). Includes gravestone image with birth and death years.
19. ↑ "California, County Birth and Death Records, 1800-1994", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:DSX6-MP6Z : 9 December 2020), Jas Saml Baker died of accidental poisoning on 1 Apr 1893 in Orange County, California, aged 47, white, married, attended by coroner, reported 1 Jan 1894.
20. ↑ Memorial: "Find a Grave," database with images, (Find A Grave: Memorial #117130286 : accessed 14 July 2023), Memorial page for James Samuel Baker (27 Jun 1845-1 Apr 1893), citing Santa Ana Cemetery, Santa Ana, Orange County, California, USA (plot: Section H Block 5 Lot 22 Space 1); Maintained by Mia Houghton (contributor 48151716).
21. ↑ "California, County Marriages, 1850-1953", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XL8S-QZ5 : 17 August 2022), William Alexander Birkhead and Lizzie Baker married on on 14 Mar 1894 in San Bernardino County, California.
22. ↑ Memorial: "Find a Grave," database with images, (Find A Grave: Memorial #142406958 : accessed 14 July 2023), Memorial page for Louis Ripley Birkhead (23 Jan 1897-13 Oct 1990), citing Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier, Los Angeles County, California, USA (plot: Santa Rosa M + N, Gate 17, Section N, Tier 2218, Niche 2218); Maintained by Burt (contributor 46867609). Includes gravestone image with death date.
23. ↑ Memorial of Robert Howig Birkhead: "Find a Grave," database with images, (Find A Grave: Memorial #133133041 : accessed 14 July 2023), Memorial page for Robert Howig Birkhead (8 Dec 1898-30 Oct 1980), citing Fairhaven Memorial Park, Santa Ana, Orange County, California, USA (plot: Q Lawn Lot-73 Sp-2); Maintained by macso (contributor 47265747). Includes gravestone image with death date.
24. ↑ Memorial of wife, Elizabeth: "Find a Grave," database with images, (Find A Grave: Memorial #69757870 : accessed 14 July 2023), Memorial page for Elizabeth Bravener Birkhead (1866-5 Apr 1952), citing Fairhaven Memorial Park, Santa Ana, Orange County, California, USA (plot: W Lawn Lot-225 Sp-2); Maintained by macso (contributor 47265747).
25. ↑ Memorial of William Alexander Birkhead: "Find a Grave," database with images, (Find A Grave: Memorial #69757896 : accessed 14 July 2023), Memorial page for William Alexander Birkhead (Oct 1855-14 Feb 1923), citing Fairhaven Memorial Park, Santa Ana, Orange County, California, USA (plot: W Lawn Lot-225 Sp-1); Maintained by macso (contributor 47265747). Includes gravestone image with death date.

Acknowledgment

Biography of Samuel James Baker written by Joan Stewart Smith, his GG grandniece.