• He was one of the earliest settlers to arrive here in Bremer County and settled on section 26. Besides farming he also operated a boat and shoe shop. Joseph married Catherine Walters who was the daughter of Daniel Walters. The Walters were in America for a long time. It is believed they may have come from Germany. They were wagon builders and built wagons to go on the Ohio wagon train.
On September 25, 1861, Joseph Baker was killed in a farm accident. The newspaper reads “On Monday of this week Mr. J. G. had his arm badly mangled while in the act of oiling the machine. The accident took place in the north part of the county, and the surgeon from Bradford was called.”
Seven children were born to this union. They were Mary, Daniel, Christian, Melinda, Joseph, John Bird, and Lydia.8024

• 1850 Census: Hancock County, Ohio. Age 22, b PA. Shoemaker. Cannot read or write.8021
• 1856 Iowa Census: Bremer County, Iowa. Age 31, b PA. Farmer.8023
• 1860 Census: Waverly, Bremer, Iowa. Age 33, b PA. Farmer. $1300; $500.8022