Remember When: Feb. 4, 2009

David Baker, grandfather of Genevieve Mitchell Stowell, came west in approximately 1884 from Iowa. David Baker owned stores, a bank and Dorothy Dainty Dinning Room, which later became Mitchell's store. His first businesses were located along the Pacific Highway, (later known as old Highway 99) approximately the location of T.J.'s.

Everett Baker, uncle of Genevieve, was born Nov. 12, 1866, and died March 17, 1930. The first home he built was the two-story house on the corner of Church and Howard Street. He had purchased two lots in the Pliesh addition from John E. and Sabrina B. Keeler in 1895 for $180.00. Then he proceeded to build his own home. (The original house is being restored at this time.) Following construction of his own home he proceeded to build three more homes in the same area.

Genevieve's father, Glenn Guy Mitchell was also born in Iowa and his mother was the sister to Everett Baker. Glenn never went back to Iowa. He sent for Mary Daisy who came by train and they were married in Sacramento. Glenn accepted a job in the Bay Area and then returned to Anderson when his Uncle became very ill. Glenn took over the operation of the store, a large brick building, on the corner if Howard and the Pacific Highway.

Upon their return to Anderson they moved into the large two-story home on Church Street that Everett had constructed. Genevieve was born in the living room of the old Baker house. Genevieve continued to live in the house caring for her mother until her mother's death and Genevieve's marriage to Jess Stowell.

Everett Baker, Glenn Mitchell, Charlie Blackburn and Carl Ritz, all neighbors, constructed the Howard Street pipeline from the A.C.I.D. main canal to irrigate their yards and gardens. It was still being used for irrigation of yards in the area the last I heard.