Jacob "Jake" Baughman (1829-1917)

Found Dead in Bed

Our people were greatly shocked last Saturday morning when the news came that Jacob Baughman, one of our oldest and most highly respected citizens had been found dead in bed at Valparaiso that morning. He was living in Valparaiso temporarily, and the night before had walked up town and was apparently in his usual health and it was indeed a great shock when he was found dead in bed the next morning. The cause of death was probably heart failure. Funeral services were held at the home of his son, Henry L. Baughman, Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock. Obituary next week.

Jacob Baughman, son of Jacob and Sarah (Ritter) Baughman, was born in New Philadelphia, Ohio, October 21, 1829, and died at Valparaiso, Ind., June 2, 1917, aged 87 years, 9 months and 19 days. He was united in marriage to Emma Hodge*, of Webster, New Hampshire, in 1866*. To this union was born one child, Henry L., of Lowell.

At the age of 19 he left Ohio with his parents for Valparaiso. After residing there for a few years they moved to West Creek township, where both of his parents are buried. In 1852 he went to California in search of gold, later prospecting also in Idaho and Montana. In 1870 he returned to Lowell, living here until 1909, when he and his wife went to California for his health. There in March 1912, Mrs. Baughman died. Mr. Baughman returned to the home of his son, living with him during the summer months and wintering in Florida.

He leaves to mourn him his son, Henry L., one sister, Katherine Plummer, one grand-daughter, Henrietta Baughman, and many relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at the home of his son, Henry L. Baughman, on Tuesday afternoon, June 5. Rev. V.B. Servies preached the funeral sermon. Mrs. J.W. Belshaw and Mrs. George Foster furnished the music. Interment was made in the Lake Prairie cemetery. Undertaker Weaver had charge of the burial service. The following nephews acted as pall bearers: Cyrus Hayden, Leroy Hayden, Grant Hayden, Fred Hayden, S.F. Hayden and Arthur Baughman.

He leaves to mourn him one son, Henry L., of Lowell; one sister, Mrs. A.G. Plummer, of Lowell; one grand-daughter and a host of other relatives and friends to whom we extend sympathy in their hour of sorrow.

* NOTE -- This article misspelled his wife's maiden name as "Hodge." (It was "Dodge.") This article also lists the year of their marriage as 1866, although a "Pioneer History" column by Lowell Town Historian Richard Schmal put their marriage date as May 28, 1868.