PORT ROWAN
Mr. John Baker died quite
suddenly at his home in this village on Tuesday last in his 86th year.
The deceased had been ailing for some weeks, but it was not thought
that the end was so close at hand. The immediate cause of his removal
was apoplexy.
Mr. Baker was born near
Bristol, England, and came to Canada with his parents when 13 years
old. The family settled in Thamesville, Middlesex County. Having
learned the blacksmithing trade when a young man, he came to Port
Rowan and started in business for himself. He subsequently married
Miss Eliza Lutze [sic], who predeceased him about seven years.
Since then he has lived with his daughter Lulu.
Four daughters, Aliva, Mrs.
Warren McDonald, St. Williams;
Harriet, Mrs. W. D. Scot, Detroit; May, Mrs. J. L. Brown, Chatham; and
Lulu, Mrs. J. J. Carter, of this village; also one son,
Mr. John Baker, Stratford, live to mourn his loss.
The funeral was held on
Thursday, interment taking place in Newkirk's [sic] Cemetery at
St. Williams. The Rev. H. A. Bray officiated. The deceased was buried
under the auspices of the A. F. A. M., of which order he was an old member. He was also a
veteran of the Fenian Raid and held the scrip for the grant of land
given by the government when he died.
His death brings back to the
minds of many the thought of bygone days when Mr. Baker was a
prominent figure in the early life of the village and being a man of
integrity he was universally respected by all.
The bereaved family have the
sympathy of the whole village upon their irreparable loss.
