Baer, Jacob W.

JACOB W. BAER, one of the progressive agriculturists of Hempfield township, is a native of Otter Creek township. Mercer county, born May 1, 1846, a son of Daniel Baer, who was born June 12, 1814, in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. He emigrated to Delaware township, Mercer county, and purchased land on which he remained until the time of his death, March 21, 1882. He married Elizabeth Snyder, born September 12, 1827, daughter of Jacob Snyder, a farmer in Otter Creek township, who deeded the present farm to his daughter. She died May 6. 1867. Daniel Baer was a member of the Reformed church. The children born to this worthy couple were as follows: David, a farmer of Delaware township; Levi, of Otter Creek township; James, of Delaware township; Sarah, deceased; Mary, wife of John Buntell, a farmer of Hempfield township; Hattie, wife of Edward Houser, a farmer in Mercer county; Caroline, wife of A. Ball, a farmer of Fredonia township; Melinda, wife of William Heeker, of Hempfield township; Jacob W.

Jacob W. Baer attended the common schools until he was seventeen years of age and assisted his father on the farm until twenty-six years of age, then purchased a farm adjoining the old homestead, which twelve years later he sold and then took possession of his present homestead, known as the "Pleasant Hill" farm, consisting of one hundred and seven acres that formerly belonged to his wife and was given by her grandfather, who cleared and settled on the same in 1830. The old original house is still standing on the premises. Mr. Baer erected one of the largest and best residences within Hempfield township, the same having all the modern conveniences and improvements.

Mr. Baer was married October 1, 1867, to Anna, daughter of Joseph Aldendorfer, a blacksmith who was born in 1816 and died October 7, 1883. Her mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Mover, was born 1818 and died 1883. The date of Mrs. Baer's birth was January 17, 1841. The children which blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Baer were as follows : George, a musician; Lila, wife of William Hauser, a merchant; John, a barber of Warren, Ohio; Harvey, a machinist of Elwood City, Pennsylvania; Mary, wife of H. Fry, of Pittsburg, auditor of the American Tin Plate Company; Elizabeth, at home.

Mr. Baer is a Democrat in his political views and is now serving his second term as a school director and was elected to the office of supervisor of Hempfield township. He is a devout member of the Reformed church, of which he has been an elder for many years.