WI BIO - Dane Co - BAKER, Otis
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893. Vol II, pp 555-557

Otis BAKER, a farmer, stock and tobacco raiser of section 10, Bristol 
Township, Dane County, is a son of Ephraim BAKER. The latter's father, 
Hollister BAKER, was reared on a farm in Hawley Township, Franklin County, 
MA, and lived to the age of 86 years. He was the father of 11 children: 
Horace, Harvey, Hollister Ephraim and Noah, deceased; Roswell; Charles, 
deceased; and Rebecca.

Ephraim BAKER was born in Hawley Township, Franklin County, MA, 07 Nov 1807, 
received an ordinary education, and remained at home until 22 years of age. 
He then bought a farm of 100 acres in MA, later added [p 556] 40 acres in 
another place, and after improving his land sold out and came to WI. He 
first rented land in Koshkonong, [Jefferson County], WI, where he remained 
from Mar until the following Sep, but during that time had paid a visit to 
Dane County, WI, and bought a tract of Government land. In the spring of 
1845 he settled on section 10, Dane County, erected a small frame house, 
which is still standing, and at that time his nearest neighbor was four miles 
distant. The following summer he built an addition to his residence, 30 x 18 
feet, which now comprises part of the home of his son, Otis. Ephraim BAKER 
was a strong, robust man, and frequently made the journey to Milwaukee on 
foot, to buy horses. At the time of his death, 09 Nov 1888, Ephraim BAKER 
owned about 500 acres of land. He was buried on his own land.

Ephraim BAKER was married 21 Jan 1830, at Hawley, Franklin County, MA, by 
Rev. John GROUT, to Roana B. HAWKES, who died 18 Feb 1832. They had one son, 
William, of Verndale, [Wadena County], MN. On 12 Jan 1834 Ephraim BAKER 
married Fannie M. HAWKES, a sister of his former wife, and they had the 
following children: Rowena, deceased; Otis, our subject; Washburn, deceased, 
and his widow now resides in MN; Margaret, wife of C. D. STILES, of Columbus 
[Columbia County], WI; Harriet, deceased; Ephraim, deceased; Charles, of 
Madison, Dane County, WI; Ereda Ann, deceased; and Ann Maria, deceased. The 
mother, Roana B. (HAWKES) BAKER, died 02 Mar 1849, and 23 May 1849, Ephraim 
BAKER married Harriet RICE. To this union was born one child, Ereda B., 
deceased.

Otis BAKER, the second child of the second marriage, was born in Franklin 
County, MA, 12 Aug 1836. He remained on the home farm until two years after 
his marriage, in 1862, then purchased a place and remained in Windsor 
Township [Dane County, WI], from 04 May to 04 Sep, when he sold the land to 
the man he had purchased it from, making $1,000 in the transaction. He next 
purchased and moved to the farm of 80 acres known as the Nathan DODGE place, 
but two years later sold out and returned to the old homestead, paying $1,000 
annually for the use of the place. After one year, in 1868, Otis BAKER 
bought 160 acres in Floyd County, IA, remaining in the village of Floyd three 
years, engaged in the stock and livery business at Parkersburg, Albion 
Township, Butler County, IA, 13 years; was a traveling salesman one year; 
then returned to the old home to take care of his father, who died about 
three years later. Otis BAKER now has charge of the entire farm of 110 
acres. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party.

Otis BAKER was first married 16 Sep 1862, to (1) Harriet CROWELL, who died 
21 Mar 1884. On 28 Dec 1885 he was united in marriage with (2) Nina YONKE, 
and they had two children: Harrriett Mina, born 09 Nov 1887; and Frederick 
Otis, born 04 Mar 1889, who died 13 May 1889. Harriet (CROWELL) BAKER died 
22 Oct 1889. On 18 Mar 1890, Otis BAKER married (3) Mrs. Maria L. HACKER.

Maria L. (BROWN) HACKER, was born in Cottage Grove Township, Dane County, WI, 
was educated in Madison, and was engaged as a teacher for some time, both 
before and after marriage. Her grandfather, Roswell BROWN, settled in 
Cottage Grove Township in 1841, and was one of the first six to made a 
settlement in that township. He acquired large land interests, and remained 
there until his death, which occurred at the age of 71 years. The wife of 
Roswell BROWN, nee Emma M. SMITH, was born in OH, a daughter of Church SMITH, 
a prominent man of OH. She is a sister of Mrs. Simeon MILLS, of Madison, 
Dane County, WI. Mrs. BROWN [p 557] survived her husband many years, dying 
at an old age in Cottage Grove Township, Dane County, WI. Mr. and Mrs. 
Roswell BROWN were members of the Baptist Church. They were the parents of 
three children, of whom Orvan BROWN, the father of Mrs. Otis BAKER, was the 
eldest child and the only son. The two daughters, Mrs. A. H. HARRIS and Mrs. 
Caroline HAMMOND reside in Cottage Grove Township. 

Orvan BROWN was quite young when he came with his parents to WI. He was 
married in Sun Prairie Township, Dane County, WI, to Clarinda A. BAILEY, a 
native of NY, and who settled in the township of Sun Prairie Township with 
her parents about 1846. Clarinda A. BAILEY was the daughter of Samuel and 
Almira (BISBY) BAILY [different spelling of BAILEY], early settlers of Sun 
Prairie Township. Both are now deceased, the mother living to over 90 years 
of age. After marriage Mrs. and Mrs. Orvan BROWN began life on a farm, where 
they remained many years, although the father is now spending his last days 
quietly in Sun Prairie Township. He has been twice married and is now a 
widower. He and his first wife were members of the Baptist Church.

Mrs. Otis BAKER was the eldest of a large family of children, of whom four 
sons and one daughter are still living. By her former husband [Mr. HACKER] 
Mrs. BAKER had five children: Harry C., Archie L., Elfleda, Mary A., and 
Barbary A. Otis and Maria L. BAKER have one daughter, Margaret.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly