Clark, Robert Carlton, Ph.D. "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon."  Vol. 3.
Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1927. p. 02.
 
J. W. BAKER

     J. W. Baker, who operates a well improved farm on section 8, township 17,
range 3 west, is a man of modern ideas and methods, giving close attention to
his work, and the prosperity which is now his has been earned by persistent and
well directed efforts. A native of Iowa, he was born on the 22d of March, 1860,
and is a son of William and Elizabeth Baker, the latter a native of London,
England. William Baker was born in Missouri and was reared to farm life. He went
to Iowa, where he remained until about 1862, when he crossed the plains with ox
teams to Idaho, where he went to work in the mines. In 1864 he went to Salt Lake
City, where he was joined by his wife and children, and from there they removed
to Boise, Idaho, and a few years later came to Oregon. They lived in Marion
county eight years and in 1887 came to Lane county, where he bought a farm,
which he operated for a time. Selling out, he returned to Marion county, where
his death occurred in 1906. The mother also is deceased. They were the parents
of three children, Mrs. Elizabeth Wheeler, deceased; J. W.; and Mrs. Ida
Robertson.
     J. W. Baker secured his education in the public schools of Marion county,
Oregon, and remained at home until his marriage, in 1892, when he came to Lane
county and was here engaged in farming until 1903, when he returned to Marion
county and bought a farm near Salem. After operating that place six years, he
sold oat and, coming to Eugene, bought a small farm, to which he gave his
attention for six years. In 1910 he moved onto a part of his wife's mother's
estate on section 8, township 17, range 3 west, where he is still living. He
also bought out some of the other heirs and now owns seventy acres of fine land,
whereon he is raising splendid crops of grain and hay. He also has a fine young
orchard. Mrs. Baker owns eight high grade Jersey and Guernsey cows. Some
unusually fine timber stands on the place and the farm, with the substantial
improvements made by. Mr. Baker, is now numbered among the most desirable in
this section of the county. He erected a large and well arranged barn in 1924
and two years later built the attractive modern home in which the family now
lives.
     In 1892 Mr. Baker was united in marriage to Miss Ella Masterson, who was
born in Eugene, Oregon, a daughter of Robert M. and Nellie (Gillespie)
Masterson, the latter born in Missouri. The father was born in Lincoln county,
Kentucky, and in 1854 came across the plains to Oregon. At Boise, Idaho, the
party divided, Mr. Masterson being among those who proceeded on. Those who
remained at Boise were attacked by Indians and all were killed excepting two
boys by the name of Ward, who escaped by hiding in the woods. Mr. Masterson took
up a donation claim on the McKenzie river but later sold it and moved to a farm
five miles north of Eugene, where his death occurred March 29, 1865. His wife
died August 30, 1888. Mr. Masterson took an active part in the affairs of the
pioneer community and did his full part in its development. He fought in the
Rogue River Indian war of 1855-6. To him and his wife were born nine children,
of whom five are living, namely, Mrs. Millie B. Blanton, Evan H., Mrs. Ella
Baker, Marcellus and Mrs. Mary E. Ewing. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have two children,
McClellan W., born in Lane county, and Ella Marie, born in Marion county, both
at home. Mrs. Baker is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Eugene
and, with her husband, belongs to Willakenzie Grange of Lane county. Mr. Baker
is a member of Eugene Camp, No. 115, W. 0. W., at Eugene, and for a number of
years served as a member of the school board in Marion county. He is a gentleman
of fine personal qualities, straightforward in all of his relations with his
fellowmen, among whom he is held in high esteem.

     
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in February 2012 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.