From the Garland Local History & Genealogical Society, Volume 3-Number 3, Spring 1992

AUGUSTS MARVIN BAKER

Author:                  Charles Ovid Baker

The owner of Baker's Furniture Store in Garland began his retail sales in Wylie in the Fall of 1929, when he established a hardware and leather goods store in partnership with Buster Scott.  After the bank failure in 1929 greatly reduced sales, Baker purchased a furniture store in Garland and added merchandise from his Wylie hardware store.  In 1978 the hardware section was discontinued, but Baker, born August 25, 1893, still works six days per week in the furniture business.

Baker was born in Prairie View, Arkansas about 12 miles east of Paris to William Barton Baker and his wife, nee Serepts Rotella Gray, both of Chattanooga, Tennessee.  At the age of three years Augustus Baker's father died.  He continued to live with his half brother until his sixteenth year.  There he rented a small acreage which he farmed, as well as worth others.

In 1912, Augustus moved to Wylie to pick cotton for Charley Anderhub.  The following year he rented a farm from Henrietta Housewright.  Henrietta's granddaughters, who were daughters of Charley and Panola Housewright Anderhub, were real beauties.  On March 16, 1916, Baker wed on (ONE) of them, Henrietta Susie "Nick" Anderhub (11/30/1892-3/26/1971).  To them two sons were born who were:

1.  CHARLES OVID BAKER was born June 10, 1917, At Deval, Oklahoma.  He married Mary Maxine Mitchell at Murphy June 20, 1943.

2.  KENNETH FARREL BAKER was born November 16, 1920, at Deval and married Betty Gowan January 29, 1949, at Dallas.

Jick Housewright became his friend when August came to Wylie in 1912.  Jick the local mail carrier, delivered mail via horseback, but he had progressive ideas.  He purchased a motorcycle to speed deliveries.  One rainy day he returned to the horse, but asked friend August to meet him halfway with the rest of the mail on the cycle. He had never ridden one of these contraptions before, but he hopped on at the request of Jick.  All went well until August came to FM 544 at Muddy Creek.  The bike went one way, and he went the other into the mud hole.  When Jick arrived, August was pushing the bike, all covered with mud.  Emphatically, August determined this was his first and last motorcycle ride.

The year 1916 brought many changes into the life of Mr. Baker.  Not only did he marry "Nick" Anderhub, but they moved to Oklahoma.  Her uncle, Walter Housewright, told them of a farm, owned by an Indian, which was available to lease.  They lived there until 1923.  This is where both sons were born.  During this time the Burburnett oil boom (known as Boom Town) occurred.  August helped build a refinery, oil tanks and pipelines in Burkburnett and Oklahoma.

The Baker family returned to Wyllie in 1923.  Due to a November snow storm, the cloth top of his Overland touring car split.  While getting it repaired, he talked to Buster Scott about business opportunities here.  They began a partnership which lasted until Scott moved to Wolfe City in 1926 to open a business there.  Jeff Hamilton was one of their first employees.  He worked for Baker until 1942.

August was an avid fisherman who took his harmonica to lure the fish.  Naturally, it was necessary to carry fishing and hunting equipment in the store.  Other important items which they carried were canning supplies, farming hardware, leather harness, horse collars, toys, custom made auto tops, builder hardware and baseball uniforms.

On March 26, 1971, Henrietta "Nick" passed away at Garland where she is buried.  August continued to come to the home of her maiden sister, Lillian Beatrice "Fiddle" Anderhub for the Sunday dinner following church services at the First Christian Church.  On August 24, 1972, they were wed.  At this writing both are in their nineties and are still active.

This by article was printed in the book Wylie Area Heritage by Bob Fulkerson (@1990) and was submitted CHARLES OVID BAKER of Garland, Texas.