This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Baker, Gough, Centers, Hawkins, Merseal, Turpin, Asplin Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/lNB.2ACI/3971 Message Board Post: LEAD BELT NEWS, Flat River, St. Francois Co. MO, Fri. Jan. 13, 1933 JUDGE JOHN H. BAKER DIES AT RICHWOODS John H. Baker, a retired farmer and former county judge of Washington county and president of the Bank of Richwoods, passed away at his home in Richwoods Sunday, Jan. 1, 1933, after a short illness. Judge Baker was one of the most prominent citizens and civic and business leaders in his community and was highly respected by all who knew him. Funeral services were held at the Richwoods Methodist church Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Harry G. Stewart of Hematite and burial was in the church cemetery. Mr. Baker was born in Washington county July 3, 1854, and was 78 years, 5 months and 28 days old at the time of his death. He was twice married, first to Miss Ellen Gough on Jan. 17, 1875, who preceded him in death Feb. 22, 1915. To this union twelve children were born, two preceding him in death, an infant in 1903, and Albert W. who died in Arizona in 1910. The ten living are Charles D. of Flat River; Robert B. of Potosi; Mrs. J. F. Centers of Esther; Henry S. of St. Clair; Silas E. of Gray Summit; Wm. Lytle of Farmington; Mrs. Charles W. Hawkins of Luebbering; John T. of Richwoods; Mrs. Chas. E. Merseal of Gray Summit; and Neighton T. of St. Clair. Mr. Baker is also survived by his second wife, who was Mrs. Sarah Turpin before her marriage to him on Aug. 23, 1916. He also leaves 48 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren, two step-daughters, Mrs. Melvin Asplin and Melva Turpin. To all of these he was a kind and loving husband and father. The News extends sincere sympathy to the bereaved.