In Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery, 1853-1997: A listing of burials in Fulkerson, Moke, Rural, and Stanley Cemeteries now known collectively as Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery (Heritage Books Inc. / Sonoma County Genealogical Society, Inc., Santa Rosa, CA: June 1997, revised and expanded edition of 1987 listing), page 8:

BAKER, William; Rural MC 43; b. Weden, Prussia; 64 yrs.

Birth year inferred from age at death.

A William Baker shows up in the 1860 Census having no real or personal estate, and living in the same dwelling as a Wm. O. Riley, a 27 year old painter from Missouri. He does not show up in the 1852 Census so he probably arrived in Sonoma County between that time. There is no listing of marriage between him and Dorothy -- it is possible that they had been married in New Jersey (or even Germany) and he arrived in Santa Rosa before the rest of the family. This appears to be more or less the case when compared to the "vanity" biography of his son, Henry. According to the 1870 Census, William Baker had $3000 in Real Estate and $800 of personal property.

From Sonoma County Deeds, Book 87 Page 213:

This Indenture, made the 11th day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand, Eight hundred and eighty three Between William Baker of the county of Sonoma, state of California the party of the first part and Dorthy Baker, his wife of the same place the party of the second part. Witnesseth, that the said party of the first part for and in consideration of love and affection has granted given conveyed and confirmed and by these present does grant give convey and confirm unto the said party of the second part and to her heirs and assigns forever all that certain lot piece or parcel of land situate laying and being in the City of Santa Rosa County of Sonoma state of California and were particularly described as lot number seventy one in Block No. three (3) in Clarks addition to the said town of Santa Rosa as the same appears and the map of said Clarks additon made by C. G. Ames and now of record in the office of the Recorder of Sonoma County also all that certain piece or lot of land situate lying and being in the city of Santa Rosa Sonoma County in the state of California and more particularly described as follows. Being lot No. 109 in Block No. 11 (Eleven) in Hewetts addition to the city of Santa Rosa aforesaid.

Together with all and singular the tenements hereditments and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining and the reversion and reversions remainder and remainders rents issues and profits thereof and also all the estate right title interest property possession claim and demand whatever as well in law as in equity of the said party of the first part of in or to the said promise on and every part and parcel thereof with the appurtenances unto the said party of the second part her heirs and assigns forever. In witness wereof the said party of the first part has hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year first above written.

William Baker

State of California s.s.

County of Sonoma on this 11th day of October A.D. eighteen hundred and Eighty three before me James H. McGee Notary Public in and for Sonoma County California personally appeared William Baker Known to me to be the person whose name subscribed to the wittnessed instrument and he acknowledged to me that he executed the same In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal at my office in the County of Sonoma the day and year in this Certificate first above written.

James H. McGee Notary Public

Recorded at the request of Fred Wendt Oct. 31 A.D. 1883 at 31 minutes past 10 o'ck am.

A. C. Merueano Co. Recorder

By D. H. Wunderlich Dept. Recorder

Other Sonoma County Deeds: Grantee -- William Baker:

Mead, Wm.

Bond Mar 25 1862

B

7

Baker, Eliza T. + Joseph A.

Deed Jan 13 1875

69

536

Miles, Myron

Deed Mar 6 1880

70

272

Grantee -- Wm. Baker Jr., et al & E. S. Benson, et al:

Gager, Jus H.

Deed Apr 12 1854

N

37