ARCANUM – The Arcanum Wayne Trail Historical Society, 123 W. George St., will feature pictures, relics and genealogy compiled by Bill and Jean Baker over 30 years.
Bill Baker is a direct descendent of two lines of Baker pioneer families that settled much of west central Ohio.
In 1805, the Michael Baker and Catherine Smucker family arrived near what would become Brookville. Henry Baker accompanied his uncle, Michael, from Somerset, Pennsylvania. Henry Baker would marry Elizabeth Poe, and from these two family roots, Baker pioneers and their relatives would settle much of the land between Brookville and Greenville.
Those whose ancestor was living in 1900, there is a chance he or she is standing on the barn bank in the Baker reunion picture, which was created with 400 to 500 people in 1900 near Pitsburg. Not everyone is named Baker.
This is the only known print of the photograph that may have been taken by a newspaper photographer. Community members are invited to explore the Baker roots by focusing on the homes they made in the Miami Valley.
Individuals can join the search from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 3 at the Arcanum Wayne Trail Historical Society, 123 W. George St., Arcanum.
To contact AWTHS or about Baker connections, see Arcanum Wayne Trail Historical Society Facebook page, AWTHS website arcanumhistoricalsociety.org or email [email protected]. RSVPs are recommended for event, but guests are welcome if they are not able to reserve ahead.
Guests are asked to bring their family tree to this event as well as a copy for the AWTHS Research Library. Photos, scrapbooks and questions are welcome as AWTHS hopes to learn, share and connect.
Individuals may be familiar with Dewey (milkman) and Grace Baker from Arcanum as Arcanum Wayne Trail Historical Society has a photo in AWTHS collection. This is one of many descendants from this family. Those who have Fourman, Sease, Dull, Riegel, Harshbarger, Poe, Besecker or Swank ties are probably related.
For the upcoming Baker Homes Story, these are the six places in Ohio that will be featured: Michael and Levi Baker near Brookville, Clay Township, Montgomery County; Henry, Elias and Samuel M. near Pitsburg in Monroe Township, Darke County; and George in Van Buren Township, Darke County.
