Baker, Edward Amasa (1852-1919)

Edward Amasa Baker was a grocer. (There is some uncertainty about the spelling of his middle name. It appears in some sources as “Amasa”; in others it is “Amass.”) He lived at 1821 Haro Street from 1900 to 1903.

He was born on August 9, 1852, in Cornwall, Ontario. His father was James Edward Baker (1829-1897); his mother was Elizabeth Anne Mattice (1831-1876).

On January 1, 1879, in Cornwall, he married Elizabeth Palmer. She was born in Ontario on December 9, 1846. Her father was Robert Palmer; her mother was Caroline Weagant.

Edward initially moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, and then operated a general store and grain elevator in Douglas, near Brandon, Manitoba. His associate in the general store was Mr. Leeson, who was probably the same Ernest Whitfield Leeson who was later Edward’s business partner in Vancouver. Ernest’s son, Lavell Hall Leeson, was born in Douglas.

Edward sold his business in Douglas, and in 1892 he moved to British Columbia, where he started a wholesale fruit, produce and candy business in Vancouver with Ernest Whitfield Leeson (1858-1937). About 1894, he sold that business and worked for Oppenheimer Brothers as a traveller for six years.

In 1894, Edward was one of the incorporators of the Pacific Lodge of the I.O.O.F. (Independent Order of Odd Fellows), along with Harold Morton Henderson and George William Rowland.

Pacific Lodge, No. 26, I.O.O.F., application to incorporate society; The British Columbia Gazette, September 27, 1894, page 886; https://archive.org/stream/governmentgazett34nogove_d9z2#page/886/mode/1up. [selected portions]

In 1902, Edward started the Baker Leeson Company, which he left in 1904 to become the British Columbia manager for J.C. Wilson and Company, which manufactured paper and stationery.

He was active in the Mount Hermon Lodge of the Masons, as well as the Kitsilano Presbyterian Church. He also belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows

Edward died in Vancouver on March 25, 1919. He was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver.

Elizabeth died in Vancouver on May 12, 1924. She was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver.

It appears that Edward and Elizabeth did not have any children.

 

Sources

Edward Amasa Baker

“Ontario Marriages, 1869-1927,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FMNG-VBF : accessed 26 Mar 2014), Edward Baker and Elizabeth Palmer, 01 Jan 1879; citing registration 010121, Cornwall, Stormont, Ontario, Canada, Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1869505.

Ontario Marriage, Stormont, Glengarry & Dundas Co., 1879 , part 2, http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~maryc/sdg79p2.htm: “010121-79 Edward BAKER, 26, Book Keeper, Cornwall, Cornwall, s/o James & Janet BAKER, married Elizabeth PALMER, 31, Cornwall, Cornwall, d/o Robert & Caroline PALMER; witn Hattie PALMER & P.E. CAMPBELL, both Cornwall, 1 Jan 1879, Cornwall.”

Captain Lavell Hall Leeson, http://canadiangreatwarproject.com/searches/soldierDetail.asp?ID=117994: “Place of Birth: Douglas, Manitoba.”

The Brandon Mail – Aug 25, 1892, page 4, http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LAMHAAAAIBAJ&sjid=HDUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3477%2C229738: “Douglas: This town on the C.P.R. 12 miles east of Brandon is forging ahead quite rapidly at at the same time substantially. . . . Mahon & Ross have bought out the Baker & Leeson general store, and are carrying a fine and well assorted stock.”

1898 BC Voters List; http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~canbc/vote1898/voteb.htm: Baker, Edward Amosa, 538 Georgia St, Merchant, Van.

1901 Census of Canada, British Columbia, Burrard (#1), Subdistrict: Vancouver (City), D-2, page 4, family 40, lines 35-39, http://automatedgenealogy.com/census/View.jsp?id=36129&highlight=35&desc=1901+Census+of+Canada+page+containing+Edward+Baker

1911 Census of Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver, 1 Vancouver City, page 2, family 28, lines 36-39, http://automatedgenealogy.com/census11/View.jsp?id=63660&highlight=36&desc=1911+Census+of+Canada+page+containing+Edward+Baker.

James Crockett Wilson, 1841-1899, http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~qcmtl-w/WilsonJC.html.

“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FL23-HZR : accessed 26 Mar 2014), Edward Amasa Baker, 25 Mar 1919; citing Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; British Columbia Archives film number B13115, Division of Vital Statistics, Victoria; FHL microfilm 1927143.

“Mr. E.A. Baker Dies Suddenly,” Vancouver Province , March 25, 1919, page 4.

“Death’s Call Comes Suddenly to E.A. Baker, Pioneer Merchant,” Vancouver Sun, March 26, 1919, page 11.

Esward Amasa Baker, death notice, Vancouver Sun, March 26, 1919, page 12.

Mountain View Burials: http://former.vancouver.ca/commsvcs/NONMARKETOPERATIONS/MOUNTAINVIEW/burials/ba.htm

BAKER, Edward A. Masa	Mar-24-1919	Mar-27-1919	MASONIC/*/*/172/0007
BAKER, Elizabeth Anne	May-12-1924	May-14-1924	MASONIC/*/*/172/0006
BAKER, Sarah	Apr-03-1916	Apr-05-1916	MASONIC/*/*/172/0008

 

 

Elizabeth Ann Palmer (wife of Edward Amasa Baker)

“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FLGS-15C : accessed 26 Mar 2014), Elizabeth Anne Baker, 12 May 1924; citing Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; British Columbia Archives film number B13124, Division of Vital Statistics, Victoria; FHL microfilm 1927301.

Elizabeth Anne Baker, death notice, Vancouver Province, May 13, 1928, page 13.