Charles W. And Mae K. Baker
by Ray N. Baker
(Transcribed, with permission from the Mellette County Historical Society, from "Mellette County 1911-1986" published by the Mellette County Historical Society)
Charles William Baker was born to Latimer and Mary Baker in Clark County, South Dakota, in 1894. They lived in the Doland-Raymond-Clark area until 1915, when they moved to Mellette County about four miles east of White River in the "Happy Hollow" area. Charles taught school in Gregory County for two terms, 1914-1916. During the 1916-1917 term he taught a school about three miles from home in Mellette County. Charles bought 160 acres of land, some cattle, a saddle horse or two and assisted his father in securing enough feed for their livestock. On Oct. 1, 1917, Charles joined the Navy. His father's health not being the best, it was thought best to sell out and return to Raymond, which he did in the fall of 1918.
After completing a stint in the Navy during World War I, Charles returned to Mellette County and worked for Stanley Callan and Dan Ryan. Then on June 4, 1922, he was united in marriage to Mae Kenzy of Lucas, South Dakota. He told of riding a horse from Callans' to Lucas in Gregory County at various times to see Mae before their marriage.
Mae Kenzy was born near Oacoma, South Dakota, to Charles and Ellen Kenzy in 1893. She grew to womanhood on the family farm near Lucas. She worked for several years in a store and post office at Lucas. When she and Charles were married, they moved to a farm east of White River that they rented from Charles Van Schaak. Later they moved to the Merrill place near Wood and finally to the Kerlin place. In 1939 they moved into White River. In 1932 Charles was elected County Treasurer for two terms and then County Auditor for two terms. In 1941, Charles became County Supervisor for the Farmer's Home Administration in Haakon County and the family moved to Philip. He resigned his position and was elected Haakon County Treasurer in 1954. He served in that capacity and as County Auditor until 1973. During World War II, Mac worked in the OPA office and for a hardware store for several years. Charles and Mae were active in the American Legion and Auxiliary. Charles was a charter member of IOOF Lodge in White River and served for 31 years as Secretary of the Masonic Lodge in Philip. He helped organize the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Philip and served as Haakon County Veterans Service officer until mid 1976.
Charles and Mae were the parents of four children, Ray, Clell, Mary Ellen and Robert. Ray and his wife, Helen, along with Robert and wife, Kathy, reside in Philip. Clell and his wife, Cheryl, lived in Aberdeen. Clell passed away in August of 1983. Mary Ellen and her husband, Tom Cross, have been teachers in the Yankton school system for a number of years. Charles and Mae had eleven grandchildren. Mae passed away after a short illness on March 31, 1975. Charles continued to live alone in his home enjoying reading (he had many books), and working with his coin and stamp collections, until he became ill and passed away on April 25, 1984.
by Ray N. Baker
(Transcribed, with permission from the Mellette County Historical Society, from "Mellette County 1911-1986" published by the Mellette County Historical Society)
Charles William Baker was born to Latimer and Mary Baker in Clark County, South Dakota, in 1894. They lived in the Doland-Raymond-Clark area until 1915, when they moved to Mellette County about four miles east of White River in the "Happy Hollow" area. Charles taught school in Gregory County for two terms, 1914-1916. During the 1916-1917 term he taught a school about three miles from home in Mellette County. Charles bought 160 acres of land, some cattle, a saddle horse or two and assisted his father in securing enough feed for their livestock. On Oct. 1, 1917, Charles joined the Navy. His father's health not being the best, it was thought best to sell out and return to Raymond, which he did in the fall of 1918.
After completing a stint in the Navy during World War I, Charles returned to Mellette County and worked for Stanley Callan and Dan Ryan. Then on June 4, 1922, he was united in marriage to Mae Kenzy of Lucas, South Dakota. He told of riding a horse from Callans' to Lucas in Gregory County at various times to see Mae before their marriage.
Mae Kenzy was born near Oacoma, South Dakota, to Charles and Ellen Kenzy in 1893. She grew to womanhood on the family farm near Lucas. She worked for several years in a store and post office at Lucas. When she and Charles were married, they moved to a farm east of White River that they rented from Charles Van Schaak. Later they moved to the Merrill place near Wood and finally to the Kerlin place. In 1939 they moved into White River. In 1932 Charles was elected County Treasurer for two terms and then County Auditor for two terms. In 1941, Charles became County Supervisor for the Farmer's Home Administration in Haakon County and the family moved to Philip. He resigned his position and was elected Haakon County Treasurer in 1954. He served in that capacity and as County Auditor until 1973. During World War II, Mac worked in the OPA office and for a hardware store for several years. Charles and Mae were active in the American Legion and Auxiliary. Charles was a charter member of IOOF Lodge in White River and served for 31 years as Secretary of the Masonic Lodge in Philip. He helped organize the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Philip and served as Haakon County Veterans Service officer until mid 1976.
Charles and Mae were the parents of four children, Ray, Clell, Mary Ellen and Robert. Ray and his wife, Helen, along with Robert and wife, Kathy, reside in Philip. Clell and his wife, Cheryl, lived in Aberdeen. Clell passed away in August of 1983. Mary Ellen and her husband, Tom Cross, have been teachers in the Yankton school system for a number of years. Charles and Mae had eleven grandchildren. Mae passed away after a short illness on March 31, 1975. Charles continued to live alone in his home enjoying reading (he had many books), and working with his coin and stamp collections, until he became ill and passed away on April 25, 1984.
Mellette County, South Dakota
Family Histories & Biographies - Baker Surname
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Baker Surname
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Charles W. And Mae K. Baker
51st Anniversary 1973
51st Anniversary 1973
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