 |
 ASIL BAKER, manufacturer and dealer in tile, also has a little farm comprising forty acres of finely cultivated land, located on section 4, Hutton Township. He is a gentleman in the prime of life, and in his farming and manufacturing operations has met with success. He has one of the most desirable homesteads in the southeastern part of Coles County, including an elegant residence, which was put up in 1886. His thrift and energy have met with their deserved reward, and he is numbered among the enterprising and reliable business men of Coles County. Mr. Baker was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, April 9, 1841, and is the descendant of an excellent old family which originated in England. His paternal grandfather, Basil Baker, Sr., was born in England and emigrated to the United States in the Colonial days before the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. He married a lady of his own country, and they became the parents of ten sons and one daughter, most of whom grew to mature years. Of these Abel, the father of our subject, was the sixth child. He was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, Nov. 23, 1810, and spent his younger years on his father’s farm and in attendance at the district school. After reaching manhood he followed rafting and boating a few years, and in 1833 was married to Miss Isabel Endsley, a native of Ohio, and the daughter of Andrew and Isabel Endsley, of Pennsylvania. Upon starting out in life together the young people first located on the farm of his mother, where they continued until the spring of 1848. Our subject then decided to seek a permanent home in the West, and making the journey overland by team to this county, entered forty acres from the Government and purchased another forty of timber land. Upon this he took up his abode with his family, and continued its cultivation and improvement until 1875. He had now become quite well advanced in years, and selling out, purchased a house and lot in Stringtown, where he passed the remainder of his days, his death occurring in January, 1885. The mother of our subject died in 1880, and is remembered by her children as a lady possessing all the womanly virtues. She was for a long period a member of the Presbyterian Church. The nine children of the parental family were Aaron, Cassandra, Basil, Andrew, Nancy Jane, Sarah E., Isabel, James and Mary A. Basil Baker spent his youth and childhood under the parental roof, receiving the advantages of the common schools and being trained to habits of industry and principles of honor. After the breaking out of the Civil War he enlisted in Co. K, 123d Ill. Mtd. Inf., and for ’a period of three years assisted as best he could in the preservation of the Union. He participated in many important battles, including Perryville, Chickamauga, the siege and capture of Atlanta, and in all of the engagements with the enemy by the Army of the Cumberland. He was wounded at Milton, also at Selma, Ala., being shot through the shoulder, but refused to go into the hospital and continued on duty. His health was preserved to a remarkable degree, and after the surrender of Gen. Lee, he was mustered out at Springfield, Ill. After being transformed from a soldier to a civilian, Mr. Baker returned to this county and engaged in farming on a piece of land given him by his father, which he occupied a few years, and then sold and rented a quarter section in Hutton Township. Upon this he operated three years, then purchased the land which constitutes his present homestead. Mr. Baker, in 1881, put up the buildings connected with his business as a tile manufacturer, and in his operations in this line was successful from the beginning. He turns out from 8,000 to 9,000 rods per year, the products of his factory being mostly disposed of in his own township. The marriage of Basil Baker and Miss Elizabeth Rennels was celebrated at the home of the bride’s parents in Hutton Township, on the 25th of January, 1866. Mrs. B. is the daughter of William and Susan (Ingrum) Rennels, natives of Kentucky, who were married in Indiana and came to Illinois in 1838, being among the early settlers of Coles County. Their family included seven children, and Elizabeth was born Sept. 4, 1840. Of her union with our subject there are the following children: William R., born May 30, 1867; Curtis W., Nov. 6, 1868; Mary E., Nov. 17, 1871, and Leonard W., Jan. 9, 1875. They are all at home, and constitute a fine group of which their parents may reasonably be proud. Our subject and his wife are members in good standing of the Baptist Church in Hutton Township, and politically Mr. B. affiliates with the Republican party. He has been Township Collector and served twelve years as School Director. He was a charter member of Omega Lodge No. 775, A. F. & A. M., at Charleston, and also belongs to Charleston Post No. 271, G. A. R. |
 |
| Return To Contents |
|