Rev. George W. Baker, one of the "Fathers" of the denomination in Ohio, died at 78 yrs, less eleven days.
He was the son of Eber and Lydia(Smith) Baker. He came from Litchfield, ME, with his parents in 1822, and settled in Marion, OH, where he resided with exception of brief intervals, until his death.
He married Louisa(Davis) Baker, Jan 6, 1825.
They were converted under the labors of Rev. D. Dudley and united with the Marion Free Will Baptist Church in 1827. He soon felt God's call to a special work, but he hesitated. Through the urgent entreaty of his brethren, he at last "consented to improve his gift," and received license to preach, though with the firm resolve that he would never be ordained. However, when his labors were crowned with success and he found himself surrounded by many converts who were pressing him to baptize them, he could refuse no longer, and in 1834, was ordained.
He was pastor of one or more churches nearly all of the time of his ministry, but he delighted in, and greatly preferred revival and itenerant work, and consequently he was away from his family much of the time.
Their children were: Oscar E; Allen Davis; Lydia Ann; Louisa Jane; Eber Smith; and Princess Amanda.
His wife was left, in the years of his early ministry, with the chief care of their six children, and with limited means to supply their wants; but she cheerfully and uncomplainingly endured much care, privation and lonliness, so that her husband might work for the Master; thus, his ministry was crowned with great success.
Though with limited education, he had a strong and vigorous mind, with keen perceptions. He was deeply spiritual, affectionate in manner, and a good singer ---the whole sustained by a large body and a strong constitution. He preached to all classes throughout the region. It is estimated that no less than 3,000 persons became professed Christians under his ministry, and 2,500 of these he baptized. Of these, some twenty-six entered the ministry.
A few years before his death a sunstroke seriously impaired his nervous system and after this he did not have the strength necessary for revival work, though continuing to preach until the Fall of 1880. During his long ministry, he took a prominent place in the general state and denominational work. Many churches were gathered, and his service on organizing and ordaining councils was extensive. His last sermon was preached August 28, 1881, at a reunion of the pastors and members of the Centreburgh church, one of the first he gathered. With peculiar feeling and deep interest the service was conducted, as it seemed to be his last. Returning to his home the following Tuesday, and taking his bed Wednesday, he soon left the companion of his life, his children and his many friends to follow him to a better land.
He was the son of Eber and Lydia(Smith) Baker. He came from Litchfield, ME, with his parents in 1822, and settled in Marion, OH, where he resided with exception of brief intervals, until his death.
He married Louisa(Davis) Baker, Jan 6, 1825.
They were converted under the labors of Rev. D. Dudley and united with the Marion Free Will Baptist Church in 1827. He soon felt God's call to a special work, but he hesitated. Through the urgent entreaty of his brethren, he at last "consented to improve his gift," and received license to preach, though with the firm resolve that he would never be ordained. However, when his labors were crowned with success and he found himself surrounded by many converts who were pressing him to baptize them, he could refuse no longer, and in 1834, was ordained.
He was pastor of one or more churches nearly all of the time of his ministry, but he delighted in, and greatly preferred revival and itenerant work, and consequently he was away from his family much of the time.
Their children were: Oscar E; Allen Davis; Lydia Ann; Louisa Jane; Eber Smith; and Princess Amanda.
His wife was left, in the years of his early ministry, with the chief care of their six children, and with limited means to supply their wants; but she cheerfully and uncomplainingly endured much care, privation and lonliness, so that her husband might work for the Master; thus, his ministry was crowned with great success.
Though with limited education, he had a strong and vigorous mind, with keen perceptions. He was deeply spiritual, affectionate in manner, and a good singer ---the whole sustained by a large body and a strong constitution. He preached to all classes throughout the region. It is estimated that no less than 3,000 persons became professed Christians under his ministry, and 2,500 of these he baptized. Of these, some twenty-six entered the ministry.
A few years before his death a sunstroke seriously impaired his nervous system and after this he did not have the strength necessary for revival work, though continuing to preach until the Fall of 1880. During his long ministry, he took a prominent place in the general state and denominational work. Many churches were gathered, and his service on organizing and ordaining councils was extensive. His last sermon was preached August 28, 1881, at a reunion of the pastors and members of the Centreburgh church, one of the first he gathered. With peculiar feeling and deep interest the service was conducted, as it seemed to be his last. Returning to his home the following Tuesday, and taking his bed Wednesday, he soon left the companion of his life, his children and his many friends to follow him to a better land.
Rev. George W. Baker, one of the "Fathers" of the denomination in Ohio, died at 78 yrs, less eleven days.
He was the son of Eber and Lydia(Smith) Baker. He came from Litchfield, ME, with his parents in 1822, and settled in Marion, OH, where he resided with exception of brief intervals, until his death.
He married Louisa(Davis) Baker, Jan 6, 1825.
They were converted under the labors of Rev. D. Dudley and united with the Marion Free Will Baptist Church in 1827. He soon felt God's call to a special work, but he hesitated. Through the urgent entreaty of his brethren, he at last "consented to improve his gift," and received license to preach, though with the firm resolve that he would never be ordained. However, when his labors were crowned with success and he found himself surrounded by many converts who were pressing him to baptize them, he could refuse no longer, and in 1834, was ordained.
He was pastor of one or more churches nearly all of the time of his ministry, but he delighted in, and greatly preferred revival and itenerant work, and consequently he was away from his family much of the time.
Their children were: Oscar E; Allen Davis; Lydia Ann; Louisa Jane; Eber Smith; and Princess Amanda.
His wife was left, in the years of his early ministry, with the chief care of their six children, and with limited means to supply their wants; but she cheerfully and uncomplainingly endured much care, privation and lonliness, so that her husband might work for the Master; thus, his ministry was crowned with great success.
Though with limited education, he had a strong and vigorous mind, with keen perceptions. He was deeply spiritual, affectionate in manner, and a good singer ---the whole sustained by a large body and a strong constitution. He preached to all classes throughout the region. It is estimated that no less than 3,000 persons became professed Christians under his ministry, and 2,500 of these he baptized. Of these, some twenty-six entered the ministry.
A few years before his death a sunstroke seriously impaired his nervous system and after this he did not have the strength necessary for revival work, though continuing to preach until the Fall of 1880. During his long ministry, he took a prominent place in the general state and denominational work. Many churches were gathered, and his service on organizing and ordaining councils was extensive. His last sermon was preached August 28, 1881, at a reunion of the pastors and members of the Centreburgh church, one of the first he gathered. With peculiar feeling and deep interest the service was conducted, as it seemed to be his last. Returning to his home the following Tuesday, and taking his bed Wednesday, he soon left the companion of his life, his children and his many friends to follow him to a better land.
He was the son of Eber and Lydia(Smith) Baker. He came from Litchfield, ME, with his parents in 1822, and settled in Marion, OH, where he resided with exception of brief intervals, until his death.
He married Louisa(Davis) Baker, Jan 6, 1825.
They were converted under the labors of Rev. D. Dudley and united with the Marion Free Will Baptist Church in 1827. He soon felt God's call to a special work, but he hesitated. Through the urgent entreaty of his brethren, he at last "consented to improve his gift," and received license to preach, though with the firm resolve that he would never be ordained. However, when his labors were crowned with success and he found himself surrounded by many converts who were pressing him to baptize them, he could refuse no longer, and in 1834, was ordained.
He was pastor of one or more churches nearly all of the time of his ministry, but he delighted in, and greatly preferred revival and itenerant work, and consequently he was away from his family much of the time.
Their children were: Oscar E; Allen Davis; Lydia Ann; Louisa Jane; Eber Smith; and Princess Amanda.
His wife was left, in the years of his early ministry, with the chief care of their six children, and with limited means to supply their wants; but she cheerfully and uncomplainingly endured much care, privation and lonliness, so that her husband might work for the Master; thus, his ministry was crowned with great success.
Though with limited education, he had a strong and vigorous mind, with keen perceptions. He was deeply spiritual, affectionate in manner, and a good singer ---the whole sustained by a large body and a strong constitution. He preached to all classes throughout the region. It is estimated that no less than 3,000 persons became professed Christians under his ministry, and 2,500 of these he baptized. Of these, some twenty-six entered the ministry.
A few years before his death a sunstroke seriously impaired his nervous system and after this he did not have the strength necessary for revival work, though continuing to preach until the Fall of 1880. During his long ministry, he took a prominent place in the general state and denominational work. Many churches were gathered, and his service on organizing and ordaining councils was extensive. His last sermon was preached August 28, 1881, at a reunion of the pastors and members of the Centreburgh church, one of the first he gathered. With peculiar feeling and deep interest the service was conducted, as it seemed to be his last. Returning to his home the following Tuesday, and taking his bed Wednesday, he soon left the companion of his life, his children and his many friends to follow him to a better land.
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