SIMON BAKER, Terre Haute. Simon Baker was born Nov. 17, 1791, in Frederick, Md., and emigrated with his parents, Elizabeth and Peter Baker; to Virginia; in 1796; in 1816, they again moved, this time to Champaign Co., and entered land in 1816, President James Monroe's signature being affixed to their patent; their children, Frederick, Simon and Peter, were born in Maryland; Rebecca, Betsey, Polly, John and Jacob were born in Virginia; six of these are still living. Mr. Baker can lay just claim to being the oldest man in the county, and is now 89 years of age; he has seen the entire development of this country from its infancy, and the most sanguine dreams of his youth are more than realized; he has seen the heavy forests that were inhabited by the wild deer and Indian, disappear, and in their stead stand fields of waving grain; the little frontier towns have grown to be prosperous cities, and the log cabins have given way to the aristocratic farm residence. His parents were among the most industrious pioneers, and left their children a legacy of honor and uprightness; they have long since passed away, and their representatives take their places. Simon was married to Catharine Darnell in 1823 ; they were parents of eleven children, all of whom were reared except two. He now resides on the old home, that wag cleared by his own labor, and rendered doubly dear by the birth of his children and the death of his wife; be worked by the month for money to pay for his land, and is now owner of 100 acres; his son Nathan takes care of the farm, and Mr. Baker makes his home with them. He was always noted for his honor and fair dealing with his fellow-men, and will leave behind a name of which his children should ever feel proud.

(Source: The History of Champaign County Ohio, Chicago, W.H. Beers & Co, 1881 (a reproduction by Unigraphic Inc 1972),