John Baker
John Baker, one of the early settlers of Salem Township, was born in Virginia, near Cumberland Gap, in the year 1815. He came with his father’s family to Sidney in 1830. After staying a few months in Sidney they moved to the country, on a rented farm, where they remained two years, then moved to a piece of land in Salem Township, where his father had entered; here he helped his father to clear his new farm. He also followed clearing land for others for a number of years. He says he has cleared at least 200 acres of land with his own hands and axe; he would get from five to six dollars per acre for clearing. In 1837 he married Elma Shinn, by whom he has had eleven children, eight of whom are still living. When Mr. Baker commenced housekeeping he did not have a dollar in the world; he worked by day’s work at fifty cents per day to get provisions to live on; would clear land nights, often working till after midnight; has grubbed many days with nothing to eat but cold corn pone, and was so hard pressed at one time that he sold his only cow to pay for provisions to live on. But few of the early settlers of Shelby County passed through harder times than did Mr. Baker. He in his younger days was one of the most athletic and strong men in the county. He has been known to shoulder five bushels of wheat in one sack; but has now retired from the active duties of labor. In politics is a radical Republican. In religion he is a Methodist, being a local minister in that church.
From History of Shelby County, Ohio; R. Sutton & Co, Philadelphia PA, 1883