Sumner Whitten Baker ^{1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11}

   FamilySearch ID: K4YW-H6C.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Census in 1850 in Jackson Township, Kosciusko, IN. ¹² The 1850 census recorded Nelson Baker, farmer, 33, living with wife Phema, 32; Abigal M., 12; Lydia A., 10; Samuel W., 7; Luther S., 4; and Hannah B., 1. Nelson was born in Virginia, Phema in Massachusetts, and the children in Indiana.

2. Census in 1880 in Otterbein, Benton, IN. ^{9 13} The 1880 census recorded Sumner Baker, farmer, 37, living with wife Susan, 28; daughter Pearl, 5; and sons Linnie, 3, and Earnest, 2. Everyone was born in Indiana. Sumner's father was born in Virginia and mother in Massachusetts. Susan's father was born in North Carolina and mother in Kentucky.

3. Census in 1900 in Otterbein, Benton, IN. ¹⁴ The 1900 census recorded owning a home: Sumner Baker, farmer, 57, born Feb 1843, living with wife Susan A., 49, Dec 1851; Bernice, 18, Oct 1882; Edith, 11, Jun 1889; and two boarders: Alfred Parker, 26, and Arthur Hetherington, 18. Everyone was born in Indiana. Sumner's father was born in Virginia and mother in Massachusetts. Susan's father was born in North Carolina and mother in Kentucky.

4. Census in 1910 in Otterbein, Benton, IN. ¹⁵ The 1910 census recorded owning a home: Sumner W. Baker, farmer, 67, living with wife Susan A., 58; Linnacus E., mechanical engineer, 33; Edith G., 20, and a servant, William Corder, 54. All were born in Indiana except William in Ohio. Sumner's father was born in West Virginia and mother in Massachusetts. Susan's father was born in North Carolina and mother in Kentucky.

5. Cause of Death: chronic nephritis, 30 Mar 1921, Battle Ground, Tippecanoe, IN. ⁴

6. Obituary: Journal and Courier: obituary of Sumner Baker on 30 Mar 1921 in Lafayette, Tippecanoe, IN. ⁵ ---
SUMNER BAKER, AGED CITIZEN OF OTTERBEIN DEAD
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Went From College to Civil War; Later Was Teacher, Contractor and Successful Farmer.
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Sumner Whitten Baker, of Otterbein, died Wednesday morning at 10:30 o'clock at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Floyd Garrott. at Ash Grove. His demise was caused by Bright's disease and his condition had been serious since March 20, when he was taken ill while he and his wife were visiting at the home of his daughter. Although Mr. Baker was recognized as one of the prosperous and successful farmers of Benton county, he was also a pioneer educator and taught school for twenty-five terms. He was also at one time a brick mason and contractor and erected many buildings in Otterbein.
FROM COLLEGE TO WAR.
Born February 28, 1843, in Kosciusko county, where the town of Sydney is now located, he was the son of Nelson and Phena Baker, who went to that county from Richmond, O., in 1836. He was the third of nine children. He attended the common schools of his native county and later went to Indiana university.
He was a student at Indiana when the civil war broke out, and at the age of 18 years enlisted in the Fourth Indiana cavalry. Mr. Baker participated in many battles and after three years' service was honorably discharged.
TEACHER IN SCHOOLS.
At the close of the war he returned home and began teaching school. Among the first assignments was the school at Ash Grove, where he met Susan Alice Beeker, daughter of Daniel and Frances Beeker, of Battle Ground. then a pupil, but who on January 23, 1872, became his wife. Following his marriage Mr. Baker and bride went to housekeeping at North Manchester, where he was employed as principal of the schools.
In 1879 he moved to Otterbein, where he had since resided on a farm until two years ago when he moved into the town,
He is survived by his widow and the following children: Mrs. Edward M. Johnson, of Otterbein; Linnaeus Baker, of Fort Wayne; Dr. Ernest S. Baker, of Lafayette; Mrs. Richard M. Heavilon. of Frankfort, and Mrs. Floyd Garrott, of Ash Grove. He is also survived by the following grandchildren: Ernest VanNatta Baker, Sumner Rice Baker and Thomas Rice Baker, John Floyd Garrott and Glenn Baker Garrott, and Alice Elizabeth Garrott. A brother and a sister also survive, M. D. Baker, of Niles, Mich., and Mrs. Chris Beyer, of Kendallville.
Mr. Baker was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Otterbein and was an active worker in that church. He was a conscientious Christian and a good citizen.

7. Occupation: retired farmer on 30 Mar 1921 in Battle Ground, Tippecanoe, IN. ⁴

Sumner married Susan Alice Beeker, daughter of Daniel Beeker and Mary Frances Stewart, on 23 Jan 1873 in Battle Ground, Tippecanoe, IN.^{1 2} (Susan Alice Beeker was born on 28 Dec 1851 in Battle Ground, Tippecanoe, IN,^{1 8 16 17 18} died on 28 Aug 1930 in West Lafayette, Tippecanoe, IN ^{1 8 16 17} and was buried on 1 Sep 1930 in Montmorenci: Montmorenci Cemetery, Tippecanoe, IN ^{1 16 17}.)