Annie Baker, formally known as Annie Coffey, was born in North Carolina on August 1, 1869. She was a part of a pioneer family that migrated west, in the 1870s-1880s. Her father was a Confederate soldier, Isaac Boone Coffey, the great nephew of Daniel Boone. Local newspapers celebrated this family’s pioneer spirit in Annie’s husband’s obituary: “In this manner we record the history of the life and family of one of the pioneers of Manhattan.” 

Annie’s book was filled with loving inscriptions from friends and family in the Manhattan area. She married James Baker and had one child, who resided in Manhattan. Of their two grandchildren, one stayed in Manhattan while the other ventured off to Los Angeles, California. It was found in local census data that Annie attended school. She could read and write fluently. Annie lived most of her life in Manhattan as a homemaker on the Baker family farm. Yet, her life was not all idyllic. Toward the end of her father’s life he was declared mentally insane by a court ruling, and was taken to a mental asylum. Annie demonstrated the fortitude of a pioneer woman, raising children and caring for her ailing father.

Here's a look at some pages inside her autograph book: