Hester Henry BAKER

HAIRSTON.org ID#612, b. 15 August 1860, d. 30 September 1928
Father*John Coffman BAKER1 b. 6 Nov 1826, d. 29 Sep 1878
Mother*Louisa Ann WEBBER b. 14 Oct 1835, d. 1 Jan 1885
Birth*Hester Henry BAKER was born on 15 August 1860 in 1088 Volentine Street, Memphis, Shelby, Tennessee.2,3 
She was the daughter of John Coffman BAKER and Louisa Ann WEBBER.1 
Census 1870Hester Henry BAKER appeared on the 1870 census of John Coffman BAKER on 12 February 1870 in District 15, Shelby, Tennessee.1


 
Graduation*Hester Henry Baker graduated in June of 1877 from the Presbyterian High School, Memphis, Tennessee. 
Census 1880Hester Henry BAKER appeared on the 1880 census of Louisa Ann WEBBER on 17 June 1880 in 291 Crockett Avenue, District 15, Shelby, Tennessee; Louisa W Baker 44 (widowed gardner), Mattie W 24 (teacher), Bettie 22 (teacher), Hester 19, Louisa 18, and an orphan from Italy named Lawrence Lazzarini 11.4

 
Marriage*Hester Henry BAKER married Charles S. SHELBY, son of John Milton SHELBY and Amanda F. RUDISILL, on 17 May 1883 in Linden Avenue Christian Church, Memphis, Shelby, Tennessee. From "The Daily Memphis Avalanche", 18 May 1883, Friday, page 4. - " Mr. Charles Shelby, of Bartlett, and Miss Hester Baker, of this city, were married in the Linden street Christian church at 4 o'clock p.m. by Rev. G. W. Sweeny. The church was beautifully decorated. Mrs. Fitts furnished the music for the occasion."5,3


PhotoHester Henry BAKER was photographed

after 17 May 1883. 
Census 1900She appeared on the 1900 census of Charles S. SHELBY on 1 June 1900 in Civil District 15, Dist 51, image 3, Shelby, Tennessee; Charles 46, Hester B 30, Charles Jr. 14, Louis C 12, John B 10, Hester B 6, Mattie A 4, Allie M 1.6

Death Spouse*Her husband, Charles S. Shelby, died on 22 November 1900. 
Photo*


Seated: Hester Baker Shelby, dau. Hester Cassandra, John, Martha, Louis, front row: Miriam - Photo taken about 1901. 
Census 1910*Hester Henry BAKER appeared on the census of 21 April 1910 in 1088 Vollentine Street, Ward 21, District 250, Memphis, Shelby, Tennessee.7

Census 1920*She appeared on the census of 7 January 1920 in 1088 Vollentine Avenue, Ward 21, District 181, Image 7, Memphis, Shelby, Tennessee, Hester Shelby 59, Hester 25, Miriam 21.8

Death Certficate*Death Certficate filed on 30 September 1928 in Memphis, Shelby, Tennessee.2
Death*She died on 30 September 1928 in 1088 Vollentine Street, Memphis, Shelby, Tennessee, at age 68.3 
Obituary*Obituary October 1, 1928:

MRS. HESTER B. SHELBY

Pioneer Memphian Dies in Home in Which She Was Born.

Mrs. Hester Baker Shelby, wife of the late Charles Shelby, died in her residence, 1088 Valentine Avenue, early yesterday morning following an illness of several weeks. She was in her sixty-eight year.

Mrs. Shelby was a descendant of pioneer Memphians and spent her life in this city. She was the daughter of John C. Baker of Virginia, a prominent merchant in Memphis after his removal here. Her mother was Miss Lou Webber whose father was the first minister of the Christian faith in Shelby County.

Early in life she married Charles Shelby, member of another pioneer family, Shelby County having been named for his grandfather. He and Mrs. Shelby made their home where she was born and there, after her husband's death, she reared her six children and gave them away in marriage. Her death occurred in this home.

Mrs. Shelby was a graduate of Higbee School and was a woman of fine mental attainments and an active and devote church woman. She is survived by a sister, Mrs. Lou B. Mitchell; three daughters; Mrs. Albert Austin of Charlottesville, Va., Mrs. Gentry Carroll of Memphis, Mrs. Edward A. Niel of New York; two sons, Louis C. Shelby and John B. Shelby of Memphis.

Funeral services, conducted by the Rev. Walter M. White, will be held from the residence tomorrow afternoon at 2 o’clock with internment in Elmwood Cemetery. J. Hinton & Son are in charge. The following will serve as pallbearers, H. P. Woodson, Battle M. Brown, M. L. Covington, Milton Sway…., Sidney Morrison and Lawrence Shelby.
-. 
Burial*She was buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Lot #81 - 7, Memphis, Shelby, Tennessee.9

 
NOTENOTE: HTML:] HESTER HERRY BAKER PHOTO ALBUM I have a late 1800's photo album that belonged to Hester Henry Baker with photos of her friends and family. Many of the photos were taken in photo studios in cities other than Memphis. Only a few photos are labeled with the individual's names: Charles Baker Shelby, Louis Coffman Shelby, Charles S. Shelby, Thomas Shields Vaden, Sallie Belle Griffing, Gamble Shields, Kate L. Rishardson, Charlie Shelby, Florence Monaghan, and Lizzie Bateman. 

Family

Charles S. SHELBY b. 5 Apr 1854, d. 22 Nov 1900
Children

Sources (www.HAIRSTON.org)

  1. [S1870] 1870 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  2. [S51] Death Certificate.
  3. [S164] Shelby. Bible - Shelby Family 1826-1970. N.p.: n.pub., unknown publish date. Martha Carroll, unknown location.
  4. [S1880] 1880 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  5. [S52] Marriage Certificate or Register.
  6. [S1900] 1900 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  7. [S1910] 1910 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  8. [S1920] 1920 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  9. [S256] Elmwood Cemetery, Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee.
Last Edited17 Jun 2024