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Submitted: 10/15/10 • Approved: 1/17/12 • Last Updated: 8/17/14 • R392583-G0-S3
PRIVATE US Army
Company A 54 Illinois Infantry
Civil War Union
March 21, 1833 - August 19, 1914
Member of the local Grand Army of the Republic
Birthplace Fayette Co IN
Spouse 1 Mary F Becket
Spouse 2 Rebecca M Parks
Minister (1899-1914) New Lights Christian Church
*Obituary
Gentry Journal-Advance
Friday August 28, 1914
BAKER, Josephus Franklin - Josephus Franklin Baker was born in Fayette Co., Indiana March 21, 1833. When but a boy he moved with his father to Wabash county. At about 15 years of age he accepted Christ as his saviour and Lord. At 22 he was married to Miss Mary F. Becket. Three children were born to them, two dying in infancy and one is still living, Mrs. Leona Bates of Horton, Kansas. She has seven children, one of whom, Mrs. Lashmet of Tulsa, Okla. - the only one of his grandchildren Mr. Baker ever saw - was with him in his last days. His wife dying, he was married again Nov. 2, 1882 to Miss R.M. Parks of Lincoln, Kansas. The ceremony was performed by Rev. H.C. Bradberry. Later in life Mr. Baker entered Sunday school work as teacher and superintendent and Feb. 23, 1899 was licensed to preach the Gospel by the Christian church, the branch known as the New Lights, of the North Kansas Conference. On May 27, 1884 he went with the Christians to Sunnyside, Kan. In February 1896 he moved to Benton county, Ark. near Gentry. He preached at the Trammel school house, holding a protracted meeting and had quite a revival. He preached at different places in Benton county and in Oklahoma. He never asked a dollar for his preaching, although he was a poor man, but the good Lord always provided for him. He died at his home in Gentry, Ark., after a final illness of a few weeks, at 12:30 a.m. Aug. 19, 1914 at the age of 81 years, 4 months and 29 days. Mr. Baker was a member of the local G.A.R., having belonged to Co. A, 154th Illinois Infantry Volunteers. He was mustered out at Nashville Sept. 18, 1865, having served seven months and three days. The funeral was conducted by Rev. L.A. Turner, pastor of the Congregational church, assisted by Rev. Sumner. It was held at the home, under the trees in front of the house, and many friends and neighbors were present. Besides Mrs. Baker there were present of the relatives, Mrs. Lashmet, Mrs. Baker's nephew, Ernest Parks, and daughter, Miss Lou of Bentonville. Services at the grave were conducted by the local Post and interment was in Gentry cemetery.
Contributed on 10/15/10 by tslundberg
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Record #: 392583