An Early History of Baker

In the winter of 1887 and 1888 we took a trip to visit friends around Munson-now Baker-and it struck me that a little store would do well, but the neighbors thought a person would starve trying to run a store in a frog pond like that.

In the winter of 1889, I concluded to quit farming so I again took a trip to Munson but met with the same encouragement. I wrote the CB&Q Railroad asking about renting the depot, but they asked me $4.00 per month rent, so I gave up for the present as I was afraid I could not make the rent and the living as well.

In the spring of 1890, Mr. Dunnavan had moved into an old shack at Baker so once more I wrote the Railroad Company about renting the depot. This time they said they would rent me the depot and furnish fuel for the same price if I would act as the agent. So the last week in June I drove up to see what I could do, but had to leave the team and buggy one-half mile from the station and walk on the railroad track, as the mud and water was knee deep in the road along the tracks.

I rented the building from Dr. Dunnavan and also the depot from the Railroad. The first part of October 1890 we moved to Baker, having purchased in Chicago $350.00 worth of groceries. Before we moved we had to fix up the depot and house, and had to get our drinking water from Mr. Dunnavan a half mile away.

The first customer was John Hanson who bought one pound of coffee and a broom. That was before we got the groceries out of the car. Mrs. B.F. and Mrs. Truman Rogers were the first tobuy sugar and other groceries and that before we got the goods on the shelf. Also, our Ole found Mr. Flaraty, who had just been blessed with a pair of twins. He came and bought our whole stock of cigars, consisting of three boxes, to treat on the twins, Martin and Mary. We had to order a new stock of goods.

In the fall and winter of 1891 and 1892, the Elevator was built, and in February 1892, I started to build the store. The same summer Mr. Myers built his Blacksmith Shop and the next year he built his house. Next was the Creamery, which was also started in October 1893, by F.P. Richey. In January 1891, we were offered the Post Office after making a bid for same. The name had to be changed from Munson and it was decided to change it in honor of Auston Baker Sanderson. At first the mail was taken to and from Leland three times a week. October 3, 1891, we got the permit to get mail every weekday by train from Earlville, the conductor being the mail clerk. On January 3, 1891, Charlie Kukuk sent the first registered letter from the Post Office.

After I took charge of the Elevator in May, 1893, I bought the first load of oats from Will Chapman, giving him $15.95 for same on May 10. On May 18, he hauled a load of ear corn, which brought him $9.66. On May 20 grain came faster than I could handle it.

Mr. W. Kukuk, Mrs. K. Peterson Chapman all delivered grain that day. From that day on I handled from two to three car loads [meaning train-car loads] a day at $25.00 a month, and boarded myself.

The first child born in Baker was a little daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Jacobson who shortly thereafter moved to Nebraska. The first person to die was Lena Myers. The first teacher to teach in our school house was Miss Nellie Knight. The first pupil from the Baker school to become a teacher was Miss Ida Kirkuns. The second was EllaOakland, now Mrs. Engelson of Stordeu, Minnesota.