Sarah Binning Baker was born near Wedmore, England, July 10, 1823, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. John Hewlett in Grand River, Iowa, September 7, 1917, aged 94 years, 1 month and 27 days. She was the oldest of a family of twelve children.
She came to America in May, 1850, and settled in Skaniatles county of Onodaga, New York, where on July 21, 1850, she was united in marriage to Joseph Baker, and continued in residence there for six years from that date.
In the spring of 1855 they came west and settled in Dubuque county, Iowa, where they lived until April, 1871, in which year they moved to Decatur county, where they have since resided, and where Joseph Baker died on February 14, 1890.
To the union of Joseph and Sara Baker fourteen children were born, three of whom died in infancy, one Robert, in mature manhood, and nine survive father and mother; they are Mrs. Sarah Fletcher of Colorado, Mrs. Mary Boyce of Oregon, Mrs. Emma Marrall of Oklahoma, and Mrs. John Hewlett, Mrs. Jennie Metz, Joseph R., William, Richard and John all of Grand River.
In early youth, Mrs. Baker joined the Baptist church in her old home in England, and remained in that communion until she came to Dubuque county, where she united with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which she has been a faithful and consistent remember for over sixty-one years.
All that is really worthwhile to be said of any woman is this: That she was a true mother and a faithful friend, and this can be emphasized in the life of Sarah Baker, together with the further declaration that she was faithful in the discharge of every duty.
A life of continued exhibition of high purpose, purity of soul, and Christian charity is a source of strength and elevation to any community as well as a priceless heritage to the children of the one so living, and such was the life and such was the heritage left by our departed sister.
A great sufferer for the past six years and for the past two a constant care to her children, especially to Mrs. Hewlett, she passed away with little pain.