Agnes Richards Baker ~ Index
Agnes Richard Baker, daughter of John Kenny Richards and Agnes Hill Richards, was born 1 November 1843, at Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois. She was named after her mother, who was born near Glasgow, Scotland 6 June 1808, into the Alexander Hill family. This family consisted of Alexander Hill, his wife, Elizabeth Currie Hill and their seven children, Daniel, Agnes, Alexander Jr., Mary, John, Archibald Newell and Elizabeth Hill.
In June 1821, the Hill family left their home in Scotland and set out in a small sailing vessel for North America. After tossing about on the Atlantic Ocean for six weeks, they disembarked at Montreal, Canada. Later that year they settled in Bathurst District, Township of Lanark, Canada.
John Kenny Richards, father of Agnes Richards Baker, was born in Quebec, Canada, 16 May 1805. He was the son of General John Wilson Richards and Marie Angelique Kenny Richards. When quite young his parents took him to Glasgow, Scotland, where he attended school. Later as a young man he returned to Canada with his mother and located at Lanark near the Hill family. John became very friendly with the Hill boys and fell in love with their sister, Agnes. Late in the year of 1830, Agnes and John were married.
The Hill and Richards families were industrious, high-minded, religious people who later became some of the stalwart men and women of our western civilization. In 1840 they were converted to the Latter-day Saints Church, through the teachings of Parley P. Pratt. In 1842 they decided to leave their homes in Canada to join the Saints in Nauvoo, arriving in that city 30 September 1842. At first John and Agnes rented a house, then later built a nice brick home for themselves and family. They had four children when they left Canada and the following year, 1 November 1843 they became the parents of a daughter whom they named Agnes. She inherited her black hair and dark eyes from her father and her gentle, patient nature from her mother. Here in Nauvoo, John and Agnes and their children suffered great persecution in common with the Mormon people living there. Following the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith, little Agnes was carried in her mother's arms to view the remains of her beloved church leader.
In 1846 John K. Richards was unmercifully beaten by a mob of lawless men, while he was attempting to harvest grain. After this, he sold his home to a German family for a wagon and some small equipment, with the provisions that the family was to remain in possession for a specified time. While John was away, the wife of the man who bought the place, drove Agnes and her five small children out, threatening to use an axe on them. Agnes hurriedly crossed the Mississippi River with her band of little children. Near Montrose, Iowa, the same day, under the blistering sun she gave birth to a baby girl whom they named Rachel. John Richards joined them three days later and the family started on a tedious journey through the woods and swamps and prairies of Iowa, arriving at Winter Quarters late in the fall of 1846. The family remained here until the spring of 1848, when they were requested by the United States Government to abandon their homes and land for the benefit of the Nebraska Indians. They moved back to the western boarders of Iowa and settled at Honey Creek, Pottawatomie County, and started farming anew. Here the family enjoyed a peaceful life. Agnes often told how the children romped through the fields with their dog Ring, of gathering hazel nuts and picking wild berries and currants that grew along the banks of Honey Creek. One unhappy incident occurred when her little sister Rachel, fell into this rapidly flowing stream. As she floated down the stream her brother, John rescued her by catching hold of her long hair. She was restored to consciousness by placing her across a pile of cornstalks.
On 22 April 1851, the John Kenny Richards family consisting of Agnes, her parents, her brothers, John and Joseph, her sisters, Elizabeth, Mary and Rachel started on the journey to the Rocky Mountains. Captain of the whole wagon train was John G. Smith, captain of the fifty wagon teams to which they were assigned, was Lyman A. Shurtliff. They were five months making the journey, arriving in Great Salt Lake City settlement, 22 September 1851. Thought less then eight years old, Agnes walked most of the way across the plains by the side of the wagon. She and her brothers and sisters did this to lighten the load which was drawn by ox-teams. On arriving they went to Mill Creek where grandfather, Alexander Hill, had gone upon his arrival. Here they found a small fresh-water lake, teeming with fish. They always referred to this event as an act of providence. John and Agnes Richards now set about making a home once again. They acquired forty acres of land and made preparations for farming.
There was little opportunity for education in these early pioneer days, but grandfather John Kenny Richards was a well-educated man and taught his children along many lines and his wife, Agnes was well versed in the scriptures and could expound them with the eloquence of a pastor. Young Agnes was anxious to learn and did attend school for a short time. During harvest time she and her sister, Rachel went into the fields and gleaned wheat, thus enabling them to buy their first books, readers and spellers. Agnes was baptized and confirmed a member of the Later-day Saints Church, in September, 1851.
When only thirteen years old, she went to help her sister Mary, now Mrs. James P. Terry, at the time of the birth of her first child. Here she remained to assist in the varied duties of the home, until the spring of 1858, at the time of the Move South when she went with the Terry family to Mountainville, near Draper and later in the season to Santaquin, where her family had gone. In the fall of 1858, Agnes returned to Mill Creek with her parents. Again she was called to the assistance of her sister, Mary. There was much to be done in the Terry home, cooking over the fireplace, washing by hand, washing new wool, carding, spinning, sewing by hand, curing meat and tending babies, even helping with the grain.
In the spring of 1859, Agnes' brothers, John and Hyrum had gone to Cache Valley to take up farming land and make preparations for the family future home. John was twenty years old and Hyrum ten. They were soon joined by their brother Joseph, then eighteen who gave them ample help in getting out logs and building a house. A nice log cabin was soon built and the family moved into their new home the evening of 25 December 1859. Grandfather, grandmother and the remainder of the family, except for Agnes came from Mill Creek and celebrated Christmas night in their new home.
On 10 April 1860, Agnes arrived in Mendon to join her family. Desiring to be with her parents, brothers and sisters, she left her sister's home in Draper. Her sister Elizabeth R. Rowe and husband, brought her to Mendon. She immediately fitted into the patterns of pioneer life. With her mother and sister Rachel, she picked, washed, and carded wool, spun and dyed yarn for weaving into cloth from which they made clothing for themselves, father and brothers. Many evenings were spent around the fire-place knitting and sewing. Education in the early days was limited, but Agnes was always anxious to take advantage of her opportunities. She attended school for a short time which was taught by Amenzo W. Baker, the first school teacher of Mendon.
An inspiring thing in the Richards' home was the visits of the grandfather, Alexander Hill, Sr. He was a first mate on a ship of the British Navy who told many stories of adventure. He had taken part in the Battle of the Nile in 1798, under command of Lord Admiral Nelson, also the Battle of Trafalgar fought off the coast of Spain in 1805. This was a closely-knit family, bound together in happy home life. Recreation in this small town consisted of spelling-matches, dramatics, square-dancing, wool-pickings, quilting-bees and horseback riding.
In April 1860, George Washington Baker, now twenty-three years old, left Great Salt Lake City and came to Cache Valley with his brothers, Amenzo, Albert and Joseph Baker, to locate homes for themselves. After looking about the valley for a suitable location, they decided to settle in Mendon. The Baker family had come to Utah with the second group of pioneers, 2 October 1847. By industry and wise planning they built up a large herd of cattle and horses and established a dairy farm on the Jordan River, Salt Lake County. When George was thirteen years old his father gave him two heifer calves and from this beginning he built up a herd of his own. When he arrived in Mendon he owned thirty head of cattle, a fine team of horses, a wagon and good farm implements. He secured forty acres of land from Bishop Andrew P. Shumway. George became acquainted with the members of the Richards family and formed an attachment for the daughter, Agnes. He had already started a house for himself and soon decided whom he would like to occupy it. After a courtship of several months, Agnes and George were married, the ceremony being performed by William Findley, 18 January 1861. They were later sealed in the Endowment House, 9 October 1866 in Great Salt Lake City. Their first home was a log cabin and their two oldest children were born there. Later George built a large stone house with ample room for their growing family. The house is standing today (1960) in an excellent state of preservation and is still occupied. In 1862 George was called to go to Bear Lake to help colonize the region and sold his home to John K. Whitney of Great Salt Lake City who was moving with his family to Mendon.
In the fall of 1862, George and his family returned to Mendon and started plans for a new home. This was a large, commodious house with spacious grounds. It was what would be called today, a split-level house with front and back porches. Set well back from the street in its broad lawns and tall trees it made an imposing appearance.
Here in this home George and Agnes reared to manhood and womanhood a family of eleven children which was a credit to the example and training of their parents and an asset to the community. Their children were devoted to them and to their welfare throughout their lives. The men entered the fields of engineering, business, medicine and music, the women of the family into the profession of teaching and home-making. Agnes' life covered a great many years— from 1 November 1843 to 10 November 1929. It included a variety of activities and experiences. From the rigors of pioneer life, (as both a child and as an adult) from the spinning wheel and tallow candle, to running water and electric lights, she met life with fortitude and faith. She was a real pioneer who helped to build up her community by her work and ideals, a faithful wife, devoted mother and honorable citizen. She was five feet and six inches tall, of rather slight build, had dark eyes and black hair which in later years turned gray but not white.
In 1924 George and Agnes closed their home and went to stay with their daughter, Olive B. Hatch, in Logan, Utah. Father passed away at Olive's home, 28 October 1924 and his remains were taken to Mendon where his funeral was held in the ward chapel.
Shortly after this event, mother went with her son Seth, to Los Angeles, California where she resided until her death, 10 November 1929. Her death was brought on by her accidentally breaking a hip. She was brought back to Mendon and lay in state at the home of Mary B. Jensen and her funeral was held in the Mendon Ward chapel. Her many friends paid tribute to her good life. She was buried beside her husband in the Mendon Cemetery.
Life Sketch
Agnes Richards Baker, daughter of John Kenny Richards and Agnes Hill Richards was born 1 November 1843, at Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois. She left Nauvoo with her parents crossing the Mississippi River into Lee County, Iowa, 27 July 1846; wended her way westward to Winter Quarters, (now Florence) Douglas County, Nebraska, where she wintered. Spring of 1848 she crossed the Missouri River into Pottawatomie County, Iowa, and settled at Honey Creek. She started for Utah about 22 April 1851, with parents, in Lyman A. Shurtliff's Company of fifty wagons and teams and arrived at Great Salt Lake City, 22 September 1851; went with parents to live at Mill Creek, Utah and later went to live with her sister Mary Richards Terry at Draper, Utah. At the time of the Move South, spring of 1858, went with her sister Mary to Mountainville, near Draper, to live. Later in the season, she went to Santaquin, Utah, where her father's family was sojourning. Returned to Mill Creek, autumn of same year. Spring of 1859, went to live with her sister Mary at Draper. 10 April 1860, came with her sister Elizabeth Richards Rowe to Mendon, Cache County, Utah.
18 January 1861, she married George W. Baker, born at Pomfort, New York, 9 September 1837. Summer of 1862 she went to Paris, Idaho, to live, and returned to Mendon, October of same year. Of this marriage eleven children were born at Mendon, Utah, viz.: George W. Baker, Jr., born 9 October 1862, who married Oralie M. Atwood; Mary Emma, born 30 July 1864 and married Jens Jensen; Julia, born 3 August 1866, married Franklin R. Christiansen; Joseph Albert, born 30 March 1869, married Alice H. Hinkle, who died 16 September 1914 and was buried at Mendon, Utah, 12 January 1919 he married Agnes Cowan; Lucy Agnes, born 2 June 1871, married Charles Augusta Johnson; John Simon, born 9 June 1873 and died 10 August 1908, at Whitehall, Montana, buried at Mendon, Utah; Willard, born 26 June 1876, married Lena Elizabeth Foster; Lyman, born 17 May 1878, married Edith Lant; Celestia, born 1 September 1881, married William M. Howell; Olive, born 18 July 1885, married Hezekiah Summer Hatch, who died 15 April 1919, and was buried at Logan, Utah; Seth Baker, born 11 August 1887, musician.
Despite much sickness in the family Agnes Richards Baker reared her eleven children to manhood and womanhood without a death. Her industry and painstaking care of her household and of her children are worthy of emulation. As a housekeeper, she is considered a model of perfection among her relatives, friends and acquaintances. Her retiring nature her courteous manners and her due consideration of the rights of others, have endeared her to the whole neighborhood.