Item Detail
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Selk, Mildred Baker
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1903-1983
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MSS SC 1140
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a journal of essays on the Baker family
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Mildred Baker Selk was born 28 February 1903 in Richfield, Sevier, Utah, the fifth of seven children born to Frank Arnold and Kate Hawley Baker. When Mildred was six years old, her mother died of Bright's Disease, contracted after giving birth to Mildred's youngest sister, Nellie. Because Mildred and her sister were so young, Nellie was sent to live with a neighbor and Mildred went to live with her Grandmother Baker, a 70 year old widow, while her father and brothers farmed in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. Although she longed to live with her father and brothers, Mildred enjoyed living with her grandmother. They traveled often together, visiting Oregon and attending L.D.S. Conferences. Mildred learned how to play her grandmother's organ when she was eight years old and her father bought her a piano when she was thirteen. In 1918, her grandmother died. Unwilling to let Mildred live on the farm, Mildred's father sent her to live with the daughter of his first wife, Nettie Spencer, who had died giving birth to their second child. When Mildred was twenty years old she was finally able to live with her father in Canada. Mildred met Owen Christian Selk in Canada and they were married on 3 May 1927. They had nine children: Gordon, Helen, Lila, Frank, Viola, Owen, Roy, Elaine, and Melvin. Gordon and Frank died in infancy. In 1949, Owen died of a heart attack and Mildred was left to raise the children on her own. As she grew older, she loved spending time with her children. In 1977, doctors discovered that Mildred had Meniere's Disease. She suffered with this disease until her death on 18 August 1983.
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This collection is a combination of various letters, genealogical materials, biographies, and autobiographies of the Baker family. The section with information about Mildred Baker Selk contains a family group record, poetry about the family, an article about her 80th birthday celebration, and a thirteen page autobiography. Mildred's memories give the reader a deeper understanding of her life. When her mother died, Mildred recalls the confusion and loneliness she felt. She records that her father bought a new black hat to wear to the funeral and as she sat on his lap, she asked him why he bought it. He simply put his head down and cried. It was also very difficult to be separated from her siblings. Her baby sister, Nellie, lived with a neighbor while her brother's lived on the farm with Mildred's father. Mildred never knew her sister until she was fifteen. Music provided Mildred with peace in difficult times. She gives many details about her experiences with playing the piano. Mildred had many friends and happy experiences in Canada. Her daughter tells of the time Mildred was awarded the prize of being the prettiest girl at a dance, she was allowed to choose any dancing partner. Mildred chose Owen, her future husband. Mildred didn't want to include this story in her autobiography because it sounded too braggy. Although the ink on this autobiography is fading, it is very enjoyable to read.