was the wife of Elias Straw.

After the death of Elias, Catherine married Hiram Brown on September 5, 1897 in East Gilcad, Branch County, Michigan, USA.

The stone of Elias Straw is actually part of a monument that has broken off and is now laying on the ground instead of being upright.

MRS. HIRAM BROWN

Catherine Baker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Baker, was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, May 27, 1838 and died October 22, 1925 at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Harver (sic) Straw, in Pleasant Lake Indiana, aged eighty-seven, four months and twenty-five days.

She grew to womanhood in her native county, cared for by her father and older sister, her mother having died during her infancy. In 1855, she became the wife of Elias Straw and in the spring of 1856 full of youthful ambition and good will they moved to Steuben county, Indiana, and located in Fremont then a hamlet with two general stores. Soon after their arrival they bought a tract of land south of the village, which they improved and lived on until 1864 when they sold their farm and bought another farm southeast of Fremont where her husband died in November 1892. When the Evangelical church was organized they became members and remained faithful until death.

Into this home were born seven sons and one daughter; the daughter and one son dying in childhood and another son, Granville, dying two years ago.

In September, 1897 she was again married to Hiram Brown and they lived for a few years in Halls Corners, Michigan, later moving to Fremont where he died and where Mrs. Brown has since made her home.

She was known in her neighborhood as “Aunt Katie” and was ever ready to help in times of sickness and need.

After a long, busy and useful life she died as she lived – honored, trusted, loved. She reared her monument in the hearts of all who knew her. Her life work was completed if work all done and well done constitutes completion. During her last years she was faithfully cared for in the home of her son, Harvey, and wife.

Surviving her are five sons, William, of Coldwater, Michigan, Albert, of Fremont, George, of Clear Lake, Harvey, of Pleasant Lake, and Herman, of Dundee, Michigan. Seventeen grandchildren and twenty seven great grandchildren.

“Mourn not the lost” in realms of changing gladness,
Where friendship’s ties are never crushed and broken, we still may meet: He who beholds our sadness
Hath to the trusting heart assurance spoken of that best land, where free from care and pain,
Fond friends unite again.
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