A new year, a new country, a new life together - 1887, was important to Conrad and
  Barbara Roth Baier.
     On August 8, 1887, they left their German homeland, spent 21 days on the water, and
  came to pioneer in Barber County. Conrad was 28, Barbara 24.
     Most of the remaining year was spent working in various homes and for different
  families, learning ways and a new language. On December 5, 1887, Conrad and Barbara
  were married in Medicine Lodge.
     The Baier homestead was in Eagle Township, sixteen miles southwest of Medicine
  Lodge. Conrad eventually acquired considerable acreage, so that each daughter received
  a farm, and the son was given life estate to the homeplace.
     The Baier children were Lena Magnison (Dec. 23, 1891-Aug. 18, 1976); Lenoard
  (Nov. 10, 1893-Dec. 20, 1958); Anna Bloser (Oct. 8, 1895); Eva Weidner (Dec 4, 1900);
  and 3 infants.
     In making provision for his family, for that time and in the future, Conrad gained
  a reputation of hard work and thrift. Closing remarks on his obituary read "He was
  admired, respected, and never idle, believing in the doctrine of honest and consistant
  labor, and found great pleasure and satisfaction in doing a good day's work.
     Conrad also loved good company and welcomed any excuse to host a barbecue or ice
  cream party. Walnut Springs, located on his homestead and an early-day watering spot
  for travelers, was a favorite picnic site.
     They were active in their church and among the families who founded the local
  Seventh Day Adventist Church in 1900. First meetings of this church were held in
  Eagle School. Conrad served as an elder from 1920 until his death.
     Conrad and Barbara were granted their Certificate of Naturalization, May 17, 1907.
  Conrad's physical description was given: 5'6", gray eyes and gray hair.
     The family name is spelled Baier on this Certificate. However, Conrad's discharge
  from the German Army has the spelling as Bayer, as does their marriage certificate.
  The spelling change is thought to have come after the children entered into school.
     Because of 2 years' German Army training, Conrad received a letter from the Kaiser
  at the onset of WWI asking him to return and join in the German cause. Conrad secured
  a lawyer to reply to the Kaiser, stating that he was a naturalized citizen and the war
  was not of his making.
     Mr. and Mrs. Baier moved into Medicine Lodge in 1920. Their property encompassed 
  the 200 block of West Robie. They had lived 31 years on their homestead.
     John Conrad was born February 3, 1858, Fensterlohr, Wittenburg, Germany; Eva
  Barbara Roth, January 20, 1863, Oberinbach, Germany. Conrad died February 21, 1934; 
  Barbara, Mary 7, 1943. Both are buried in Lodi Cemetery, Eagle Township.
     Conrad once remarked to his eldest grandson, John Baier Magnison, had it not been
  for the ocean, he would have begun walking home to Germany the day after his arrival
  in this county - he was so homesick, couldn't speak the language, and questioned if
  he'd done the right thing.
     He came, like most immigrants, seeking something better. With time the doubts faded;
  honest work took care of the rest
               
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 95 
     Submitted by: Janet Magnison Roland