Hi Listers.. An index to the biographies in the History of Barron County, 1922, and others previously submitted are available at the following: http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/wi/barron/bios.htm Frank Baker, a pioneer of Barron County, who has been a resident of Arland Township for 43 years, was born in Germany, July 1, 1855, son of Fred and Marie (Court) Baker. Coming to America in 1869 the family settled at Oconomowoc, Wis., but subsequently removed to Reeseville, Wis., where the father died Oct. 8, 1876, and the mother Nov. 27, 1900. They had seven children: Fred, now in Germany; William, who died Nov. 11, 1919; Christian, a resident of Marquette County, Wis.; Frank, subject of this sketch; and Sophia, Louisa and Augusta, who are deceased. Frank Baker attended school in Germany and was fourteen years old when he came to this country with his parents. For a while he did farm labor in Waukesha County, and was there until 1878, when he became a pioneer of Barron County, taking a homestead of 40 acres in Section 30, Arland Township. The tract was heavily covered with timber and he cut the first tree on it, and also many others subsequently. For a residence he erected a log cabin, 18 by 24 feet, in which he lived for 23 years. The next building he erected was a log barn. Both buildings were constructed of logs cut on his land, and both are still standing. As for some years his farm produced no income, Mr. Baker worked during the winters for Knapp, Stout & Co., and also in the fall in the harvest fields of the state to earn money for running expenses. He also helped to build roads and was the first man to drive from his homestead to Turtle Lake. In 1887, having by that time made some progress, he bought an additional tract of 40 acres north of his homestead. More recently, in 1918, he purchased 80 acres in Section 31, this giving him a total of 160 acres. Of his 80 acres in Section 30 he has cleared 35. In 1901 Mr. Baker erected a good, modern house, and in 1905 a modern barn, with the Phoenix equipment. He follows general farming and dairying, keeping mixed grade cattle, and is conducting a profitable business. On Oct. 14, 1875 Mr. Baker was united in marriage with Christina Nelson, who was born in Norway Nov. 26, 1851, daughter of Nels and Sophia (Anderson) Anderson, and came to America in 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have five children: Alice G., born Aug. 28, 1876, now Mrs. Martin Clayton; Cora E., born Jan. 4, 1882, who is the wife of Julius Larson of Barron; Minnie F., born Nov. 28, 1885; Walter E., born March 13, 1889, and Olga C., born July 8, 1893, who are residing at home. --Taken from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co., 1922, pg. 898.