Transcript:Indiana, United States. Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties/B/Baker, Maxwell

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Maxwell Baker (p 929)

The proprietor of the popular and well-conducted grocery store in Brookville, Franklin County, Indiana, is Maxwell Baker, who was born in Brookville Township, February 13, 1847, and here grew to manhood. His parents are Oliver and Catherine (Brown) Baker, worthy and esteemed residents of this county.

Oliver Baker was the son of Joshua Baker, a basket-maker, who was born in Virginia and moved to this county in middle life. The family are of German-English lineage. Oliver was a farmer and was born and reared in Franklin County, and now, in his seventy-eighth year, is living near Laurel. He was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Brown, and reared a family of fourteen children, ten of whom are now living and are honored members of society. The record of the children is as follows: Andrew; Sarah, deceased; David, deceased; Maxwell, our subject; Martha A., deceased; Emily, wife of David Johnson, of Clinton County, Indiana; Nancy, wife of Abraham Hammond, of Delaware County; Amanda, deceased; Mary, wife of Harvey White, of this county; Leatha, wife of Willett White, of Delaware County; Katie, wife of William Simpson, of the same county; William O., of Delaware County; Minerva, wife of Jacob Shafer, of Rush County; Missouri, wife of John D. Harley, of this county.

Maxwell Baker attended the schools in his native township, and was a lad of fourteen when the late rebellion cast its shadow over our fair land. He was imbued with a patriotic desire to take part in the struggle for freedom, and finally succeeded in being admitted as a member of Company A, Thirty-fifth Indiana Volunteers, which started for Greensburg, Kentucky, September 20, 1864. He was in the engagement at Franklin, and also in the battle fought at Nashville, Tennessee, in December, 1864. He was placed on guard duty at Victoria, Texas, from June, 1865, until his discharge, in November. Returning home, he engaged in farming until he was twenty-five years old, when he removed to the town of Brookville. Here he was employed at various work --- first as clerk in a dry-goods store, then for four years as government storekeeper under Dr. Hunter, and two years as clerk in the clothing house of Martin Rheinberg. In 1890 he opened a grocery store, and so gratifying has been the patronage accorded him that he has continued in that business. It has been his aim to cater to the wants of the people and furnish them with just the article desired. This effort has been duly appreciated and has placed his store at the head as a leading grocery in this vicinity.

Mr. Baker was married in June, 1872, to Miss Margaret E. Minneman, of Brookville. Her parents were John H. and Sophia Minneman, natives of Germany, but later residents of this village, where they died, the father passing away at the age of eighty years, and the mother in her seventy-eighth year. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Baker are as follows: William, who is engaged in teaching with marked success; Anna, deceased, wife of George Story, of this village; and Emmett E., Bertha, Frank R., Earl A. and Nellie H.

Mr. Baker was elected two terms to the office of city treasurer and city assessor, serving from 1880 to 1884. The following year he was elected trustee of Brookville Township, in which office he is still continued. During his term he has been successful in his efforts to increase the school term from seven to eight months, has lowered taxation, and is working for the permanent improvement of the public highways. He is a member of the Christian Church, to which he is a liberal contributor, and is generally esteemed, his jovial disposition making him the center of any social gathering.