Tuesday, July 16, 2019

George Baker - 1852-1944

George Baker is said to be born 14 Apr 1852 in Michigan. He was the son of (first name unknown) Baker and Christine Trombley.

The 1861 Annuity Roll - Grand River Ottawas received two payments under different treaties.
Grand River Chief Pe nay se's band:

#15 Francis Trombly's children, no men, no women, 4 children, receiving $18.48 and $13.64 [not sure this is George and his siblings]

Mother Christine Trombley married her third husband, Louis (Way-we-do-quong) McClellan on 5 Jan 1886 in Eden, Mason, Michigan. Ceremony was performed by Catholic priest, Philip S. Zorn.


George married Martha, daughter of Joseph Pay-quo-tush, prior to 1880.

1880 Federal Census - Eden, Mason county lists
George Baker, 22, laborer
Nemay?, 18, wife, keeping house


Daughter Margaret was born in 1884. Sadly she died on in 1886 (exact date not given) in Eden, Mason, Michigan


Son Joseph was born 11 Feb 1886 in Eden, Mason, Michigan


Son Frank was born 1 Jan 1888 in Custer, Mason, Michigan


Son Adam was born 18 Sep 1889 in Custer, Mason, Michigan


Son Henry Charles was born 15 May 1892 in Scottville, Mason, Michigan

Daughter Christine was born 15 Jun 1897 in Copemish, Manistee, Michigan

An unnamed daughter was born 15 May 1899. Sadly she died 17 May 1899 (age 2 days) in Custer, Mason, Michigan. She was said to be buried in Custer cemetery.



The 1900 Federal Census of Sherman township, Mason county gives the family as follows:
George Baker, 42, born May 1858, 42, married 17 years, farm laborer, no Native name, 3/4 French, taxed, became citizen in 1879
Martha, wife, born Mar 1862, 38, 4 children born, 4 children living, Ottawa, parents Ottawa, 1/4 French
Joseph, son, born Feb 1887, 13
Adam, son, born Sep 1888, 12
Henry, son, born Aug 1892, 8
Glistia, daughter, born Feb 1888, 2
Elizabeth Edogrie, aunt, born May 1830, 70, widowed, Native name Comcos-ah, Ottawa, parents Chippeway, full blood.


Martha died 8 Nov 1904 in Springdale, Manistee county. Her age is given as 34 (born 1870) and age at marriage as 24 (1880). She has 4 children, all living. Martha's father is given as Joseph Pequtosh. George Baker (husband) is informant. She is buried at Fountain. Unable to make out the cause of death, but the number 137 means "other diseases of liver and gall bladder."


Son Joseph was married 18 May 1907 in Copemish, Manistee, Michigan to Lucy Gesick, daughter of John Gesick and Elizabeth. Ceremony was performed by Robt. F. Lewis, Justice of the Peace.


Son Adam was married 30 Dec 1907 in Honor, Benzie, Michigan to Sarah Griffith



The Durant Roll field notes line 1 page 58a show Martha's parents [Pay-quo-tusk and his unnamed wife] as deceased, as well as Martha herself [the unnamed daughter married to George Baker] and Martha's two unnamed siblings.


Durant Field Notes line 9 page 62 gives different parents for Martha, (Joseph Pay-quo-tush and his unnamed wife - both deceased) and only lists two of Martha and George Baker's children - Henry and Christina, no ages given. Joseph Pay-quo-tush is the son of Chief Pay-quo-tush on line 1 page 58a above. [From other records, these are the correct parents for Martha.]


Durant Field Notes line 29 page 59 list George's mother Christina McClellan, age 76 and her husband Louis Waw-we-de-quo-ung/McClellan, age 70 residing in Custer. Their son James, 38, has 3 wives listed and 5 children; their daughter Julia, 33, has 2 husbands listed and 3 children.

Page then lists the children of Christina's first husband - unnamed Baker - as George, 58, and his children Joe, 19, Adam, 17, Henry, 15, and Christina, 12; and Maggie, married to Mike Burns and her children George and Theresa, 24.

Lastly listed are the children of Christina's second husband, unnamed Genia - as Henry, and Mary, 40, married to D.W. Osgood.



Grandson Charley, (son of Adam and Sarah) died 2 Dec 1908 in Luther, Lake, Michigan



The 1910 Federal Census has not yet been located

Son Adam was said to have died in a logging accident around 1912-1914 [death record not yet found].

Son Henry married 5 Jul 1913 in Weldon, Benzie, Michigan to Nancy Gesick, daughter of John Gesick and Elizabeth Bevins.


Picture of George and his mother Christine - date unknown.



Mother Christine died 5 Oct 1917 in Pleasantview, Emmet, Michigan. Her parents are given as Francis Trombly and Maggie.


Daughter Christine was married 12 Oct 1918 in Petoskey, Emmet, Michigan to Joseph Foster Otto. Ceremony performed by Wm. R. Montgomery, Justice of the Peace.


Daughter Christine and Joseph Otto had a church marriage on 29 Nov 1919 at St. Mary's of the Assumption in Charlevoix.


The 1920 Federal Census has not yet been located.

The 1930 Federal Census, Petoskey, Emmet, Michigan finds George Baker, father in law, age 77, widowed, married at 18, full blood Ottawa, living at 1321 Clarion Ave., with daughter Christine Otto and her family.


The 1940 Federal Census finds George still living at 1321 Clarion Avenue, Petoskey, Emmet, Michigan. He is listed as father-in-law, age 85, widowed, living with daughter Christine Otto and family.


Son Henry was married 17 May 1942 in Manistique, Schoolcraft, Michigan to Gertrude Elizabeth Kequom


Photo of George


George died 1 Apr 1944 in Petoskey, Emmet, Michigan. Petoskey Evening News of 3 Apr 1944:


The dates on his tombstone are in error.


Son Joseph died 19 Jan 1945 in Traverse City, Grand Traverse, Michigan



Daughter Christine died 22 Feb 1955 in Mount Pleasant, Isabelle, Michigan.

Petoskey News 24 Feb 1955:


Petoskey News 25 Feb 1955


Son Henry died 16 Dec 1967 in Alma, Gratiot, Michigan





3 comments:

  1. Where can I find a copy of the original Durant Roll? Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Index available here http://www.mainlymichigan.com/nativedata/DurantRoll/Default.aspx

    Field Notes available in book form "Bureau of Indian Affairs Special Agent Horace B. Durant's 1907 Durant Roll Field Notes" on Amazon and other sites.


    ReplyDelete
  3. My great grandmother is Christine Otto Reed. This page has been very helpful

    ReplyDelete