Butte County
Biographies
BOB B. BAKER
BOB B. BAKER.--An honored early settler of Chico, who was actively
engaged for many years in the boot and shoe business, a man of high character
and good business ability, whose name today is revered by his old associates in
business, social, and religious circles, Bob B. Baker, is the subject of this
review. It was in 1864, over a half century ago, when Mr. Baker first located
in Chico, on Main Street, between Second and Third Streets, then known as
Shasta Road, the town boasting at that time of one brick building and about
fifteen little shacks.
Bob B. Baker was born in Boston, Mass., in
1823, a son of Hiram and Sophia Baker, both natives of Tennessee. Bob Baker was
reared in the South, his old home being located near Knoxville, Tenn. He
learned the trade of a mechanic and spent seventeen years in New Orleans,
subsequently moving to Missouri, and serving in the Mexican war. In Missouri he
met and married Sissaniah Mason, who was born in Dade
County, Mo., on September 14, 1836, the ceremony being solemnized April 27,
1853, in Dade County. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Baker removed to the
country of the Cherokee and the Choctaw Indians where he invested in land and
also conducted a general merchandise store, being very successful in his
undertakings. During the early days of the Civil War his store was robbed
several times, and eventually the stock was so reduced that he was practically
left without anything.
In 1863 they started for California, but
at Mason City, Mo., they were detained as it was thought unwise for them to
proceed without an escort. The journey was resumed in 1864,
their train including mule teams and wagons but most of the train consisted of
ox teams. During their perilous journey they had trouble with the Indians, one
man in their party being killed; some of the stock was also lost during the
long trip but the train finally arrived in California and Mr. and Mrs. Baker
located at Chico.
Owing to Mr. Baker’s financial losses in
the East he was compelled to begin life anew, and being of an optimistic nature
he soon opened a store for the sale of boots and shoes. A man of keen business
judgment and a good manager, he succeeded in building up a thriving business and
in due time became a property owner, purchasing lots on Main Street, between
Second and Third Streets, where he built a small store. After his business
increased he was enabled to erect a better store building, and subsequently he
built other buildings, having three in all.
In 1877, a very great disaster happened;
his store was entirely destroyed by fire, entailing a complete loss, as he
carried no fire insurance.
For ten years Mr. Baker was in ill health,
but subsequently he again decided to embark in business and after building a
new store room he opened a boot and shoe store and continued in the business
until his failing health compelled him to sell out, after which he removed to
his ranch of one hundred fourteen acres, situated two miles from Chico on the
Humboldt Road, where he resided four years; then he returned to his Chico home
on Wall Street, where on February 21, 1893, he passed away.
Mr. and Mrs. Bob B. Baker where the
parents of five children: Mona M., who was Mrs. Williams, resided at Madeline
Plains, Cal., died in Chico, March 27, 1918; Zachariah T., who died in infancy;
Eppa, who was Mrs. Henry Lausen,
died near Chico; Lauretta, who passed away at the age
of four; Daisy Orlean, who is the wife of Arthur H.
Smith, president of the First National Bank of Chico. Mrs. Smith resides with
her mother, Mrs. Baker, at the old home place, and is comforting her with a
loving daughter’s care and attentions during her advanced years. Mrs. Baker is
one of the few remaining pioneer citizens who has
witnessed the wonderful development of Chico since her arrival here in 1864,
having lived in the same block on Wall Street since that time. She is an active
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and when she first came to
Chico there was not a church in the place. Mrs. Baker is the owner of valuable
business and residence property and in the management of her affairs she has
the assistance of her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Smith. She
has passed her eighty-first birthday and has eight great-grandchildren.
Fraternally, Bob B. Baker was a Mason and
an honored member of Chico Lodge, No. 111, F. & A. M.; also
of the Odd Fellows, which organization he joined in 1850, at New Orleans; and
religiously he was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
serving as a trustee of the Chico Church.
Transcribed by Marie Hassard
04 August 2008.
Source:
"History of Butte County, Cal.," by George C. Mansfield, Pages
1007-1011, Historic
Record Co, Los Angeles, CA, 1918.
© 2008 Marie Hassard.
Golden Nugget Library's
Butte County Biographies