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C. H. Baker © Cherokee Messenger 04-1967 Submitted by: Jo Aguirre
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Funeral services for C. H. Baker, 83, pioneer businessman-rancher of Cherokee were held Sunday from the Goodwin-Smith Chapel in Cherokee.
Baker died at the Masonic Hospital early Friday morning following an extended illness.
A native Canadian, Baker was born at Dunham, Quebec, August 7, 1883. He came to Kansas in 1900, later moving to Ponca City and on to Cherokee in 1909 when he established Bakers Department Store.
He was honored in late July as the "Dean" of Cherokee's businessmen marking his fifty-seven years in business and service to his community.
On that occasion it was stated that the 57 years as a businessman was nearly equalled by the establishment of the Baker T-Bone Ranch and that the T-Bone has a close association to the advancement of many of the area growth projects through it visitors of local, state and national prominence.
The State Fish Hatchery near Byron and the Great Salt Plains Lake and National Wildlife Refuge were two such projects, and it was the latter that earned for Baker the title, "Admiral of the Salt Plains Navy, so dubbed by George McClosky, resident U.S. Engineer. Baker was an ardent worker and supporter of both projects.
The T-Bone was the home base of then Secretary of War, Harry Woodring, at the time of the lake's conception, and the autographed pictures displayed on the ranch house walls reveal figures of note. the include Rex Beach, novelist, Dennis T. Flynn, father of Free Homesteads in Oklahoma, Pawnee Bill and political figures that include all the U. S. Senators and Governors prior to the 1950s.
Shunning the limelight of public office for himself in the promotion of good works, Baker did, however, serve as a member of the first State Planning Board of Gov. E. W. Marland, and served through the period of the Lake construction. He was appointed to the State Liquidation Board during the bank closings of 1933, and received an appointment to the Federal Reserve Bank Board, an appointment he declined.
In Cherokee, Mr. Baker along with his partner in the Cherokee Mercantile, the late Ira A. Hill, gave the lots to the State for the site of the National Guard Armory.
The public parking area off Oklahoma Avenue between Main and Second streets is a rent free loan to the City of Cherokee by Mr. Baker.
Active in sponsoring and promoting youth activities, Baker has purchased the floor on numerous occasions at the Alfalfa County Junior Livestock Premium Sale and an active bidder on individual animals. Prior to the organization of either 4-H Clubs or FFA Chapters, Baker joined with another businessman, the late Meech Blue in providing loans for youth calf and pig projects in the area.
His interest in farm youth resulted in his being named Honorary Chapter Farmer of the Cherokee FFA and Honorary member of others clubs over the county. He was a Charter Member of the Cherokee Round Up Club.
He was also an Honorary member of the local American Legion Post, a member of Corinthian masonic Lodge, the Guthrie Consistory and a Shriner. He was affiliated with the Episcopalian Church.
The Bakers observed their 60th Wedding Anniversary last August 7, which coincided with his birthday.
He is survived by his widow, Mary Baker of the home and two nephews, C.G. Jim Baker of Cherokee and Edward Baker of Cowansville, Canada.
The funeral services were conducted by Rev. John Havens, Minister of the Cherokee Friends Church and interment followed in the Cherokee Municipal Cemetery under the direction of the Goodwin-Smith Funeral Home.
A Memorial Fund has been established to the memory of C.H. Baker for the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. Those desiring to contribute to the fund may do so at the Funeral Home.
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