John W. Baker is a native of Queen Anne's county, Maryland, and was born on the 26th of April 1812. He came to Fulton in December 1836 being attracted thither by the glowing accounts of the wonderful Mississippi Valley, sent to him by his uncle, John Baker, the first settler in Fulton and in Whiteside county. These accounts were so seductive that he bid good-bye to "My Maryland." and, with his wife, three sisters, and a niece, undertook the laborious journey to the then far West. Arriving in the winter and finding only a small cabin on the Cattail creek in which to place his family and household goods, he made up his mind that "Uncle John" had drawn considerably upon his imagination when he wrote about the beauty and delights of the great Mississippi Valley. Added to his other troubles was the death of his niece during the winter, an account of which is given in the history of Fulton Township. But with the advent of spring things began to look more cheerful, and it was not long before he, too, began to chant the praises of the beautiful valley. Mr. Baker was married to Miss Mary H Wright in Queen Anne's county, Maryland, on the 24th of December 1833.
Their children have been as follows; Annie, died in 1836 in Maryland; John T. died in Fulton in 1843; Albert J; married and lives at Denver Colorado; John W. Jr living in Oregon; Ellen married and living in Marshall county Iowa; Thomas, living in California; William H. living in Utah; Edward M., Ramsay M., Mary and Lizzie E. all living in Garden Plain. Mr. Baker remained in Fulton until 1843 when he purchased his present farm in Section 11, in Garden Plain township, where he has since resided. He also owns land in sections 3 and 10 in the same township. During his residence in Fulton, he was one of the Constables of the Precinct, and in Garden Plain township he has held different offices. He was elected School Director in 1845, with David PARKER and David MITCHELL, the three being the first School Directors of Garden Plain. Mr Baker is one of the famous Garden Plain Missionaries, and is one of the most zealous and effective temperance workers in the country.
Bent & Wilson History of Whiteside County Page 214
