John Bakes, Sr., retired farmer, Jefferson Township, a native of Ulster County, N.Y., was born March 15, 1808. He married Elizabeth Ogle November 26, 1835. She was born September 5, 1814, and by this union were born eight children: Almira, born September 13, 1836; Albert, born December 15, 1838; John Jr., born February 14, 1841; Hiram, born April 25, 1843; Robert, born October 23, 1845, died July 8. 1879; Eliza Jane, born August 10, 1848, died March 10, 1884; Robert O., born Febrary 15, 1851; Frederick, born December 18, 1853. The mother died June 27, 1876. The parents came to Switzerland County in the fall of 1813; the father being a manufacturer and started the first carding machine in Vevay, which was soon after his arrival. He made his own machinery and followed the business about four years. Then went to Long Run and erected a saw-mill and grist-mill which he sold in 1832 and moved to Mount Sterling, where he erected a carding machine. About 1840 he moved up on Long Run, where he died in the spring of 1847. At the age of fifteen Mr. John Bakes left the arm and engaged in milling with his father, continuing up to 1832, at which time he purchased a little boat ('Harry Myers.') and bought produce and shipped it South up to 1839. During these seven years he purchased 154 acres of land and went on the same after 1839 and cleared it up, and has been a farmer ever since. During his days of toil he made over 1,700 acres of land and laid up considerable money besides to defray necessary expenses while going down the hill of life. Religiously, he is an infidel and believes in honesty and morality. His son Albert was married September 22, 1874, to Miss Mary L. Minor, born in Edgar County, Ill., July 30, 1842. They have five children: Lizzie L, born July 15, 1875; Jenny M., born April 23, 1877; Almira B., born May 20, 1879; John G., born September 7, 1881; Minor, born October 31, 1883. Albert and his estimable wife are endeavoring to make their father comfortable and happy during his old days.
Source: History of Switzerland County, Indiana 1885. Chicago, Illinois: Weakley, Harraman & Co., 1885
Transcribed by: Sheila Kell