The Baker Families of Montgomery County, Ohio

JACOB BAKER, farmer, P. O. Brookville. His father, Jacob Baker, is the son of Michael Baker, whose sketch appears with the biography of Levi Baker. Jacob obtained a very limited education, and assisted his father in clearing the land of timber.

He was united in marriage with Sarah Michael in 1854. Had fourteen children, of whom nine are living. Jacob, the subject of our sketch, was born in 1836, and reared on the farm. He celebrated his marriage with Sarah Shank in 1 854. They are the parents of three children, viz., Permelia, Almira and Lawrence L. Mr. Baker has followed the occupation of tilling the soil to the present time, with good success. He cast his first vote for “father Abraham,” and has since been identified with the Republican party.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

LEVI BAKER, one of the most prominent business men of Brookville, Clay township, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born here June 11, 1836, on his father’s farm, and is a descendant of one of the oldest pioneers in the county, Michael Baker, and of one of the wealthiest ante-Revolutionary families of Pennsylvania, whose genealogy will be given at the close of this memoir.

Michael Baker, grandfather of Levi, and his wife, Elizabeth (Smucker) Baker, came from Somerset county, Pa., to Clay township in 1805, and settled on a tract of 200 acres of land in the wilderness, on which there was a camp of 200 Indians, who were friendly and proved to be good neighbors. He cleared up this farm and added to his possessions until he was the owner of about 2,000 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Baker had a family of ten children, viz: John, Samuel, Jacob, Michael, Benjamin, Catherine, Elizabeth, Susannah, Annie and Mary. The father lived to be over eighty-two years of age, and his wife expired at the age of eighty, both devoted members of the Dunkard or German Baptist church, and the large property was distributed among the various children.

Benjamin Baker, son of Michael, and father of Levi, was born on the original Baker homestead in Clay township, March 24, 1810, and was reared to agricultural pursuits. He received as good an education as the schools of the neighborhood afforded at that early day, and in 1830 married Miss Frances Niswanger, the union resulting in the birth of twelve children, viz: Sadie, Malinda, Noah, Levi, Cyrus

(who died at the age of five years), Mary, Simon, Amanda, Sarah H., Sylvester, Jonathan and Minerva..

About 1850, Benjamin Baker engaged in the grain trade in Brookville, being the first to enter into that business in the village. He built a warehouse, and hauled his grain by wagon to Dayton until 1853, when the railroad was constructed and a track or switch extended to his warehouse. For a few years he was associated in this trade with Richard Reily, but in 1860 Levi, his son, bought Mr. Reily’s interest, and the business was continued by father and son until 1866, when the father retired. Benjamin Baker was a most energetic and enterprising business man. He was one of the founders of Brookville, opened its first general store, and was its first station and express agent. He at one time owned about 500 acres in different farms — one of 1 50 acres one-half mile east of Brookville — and in connection with his grain trade was a large buyer and shipper of tobacco.

Benjamin Baker was at first a whig in politics, was one of the original republicans of Montgomery county, and during the Civil war was a pronounced Union man. In religion he was a member of the German Baptist church, in which faith he died, and was highly esteemed for his Christian benevolence and unswerving integrity.

Levi Baker was reared on his father’s farm and received an excellent common-school education. January 10, 1856, he married, near Brookville, Miss Catherine Ganger, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Richard) Ganger, and to this union was born one child, Mary A., who married Louis Cotterman, and died at the age of twenty-two years. Mrs. Catherine (Ganger) Baker died in 1876, a member of the United Brethren church. The second marriage of Mr. Baker took place October 17, 1878, at Chambersville, Va., with Miss Rebecca Koontz, who was born January 3, 1861, a daughter of Abraham and Susannah (Floro) Koontz. Abraham Koontz was from Pennsylvania, was of German descent, was married in Rockingham county, Va., and was a resident of that state at the outbreak of the Rebellion, when he was drafted into the Confederate service, but escaped and brought his family to Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1861 or 1862, and settled near Harrisburg. Here he worked at his trade as carpenter until his death, at the age of about forty-nine years, a member of the German Baptist church and the father of the following children: Sarah, Catherine

(who died when thirty-seven years old), Minerva, Rebecca, Mary and Alice.

Levi Baker began his business life as a farmer, which vocation occupied his time for four years; he then joined his father in the grain trade at Brookville, and in 1867 built a residence in that town, but had the previous year bought his present farm of 114 acres. For several years he was in partnership, in the grain trade, with Daniel Litter, but for the past nine years has been associated with Daniel C. Williamson. This firm bought their brick warehouse in 1885, Mr. Baker being also a buyer and shipper of tobacco on a large scale. The firm of Baker & Williamson do an extensive business in grain, and are also the station and express agents in Brookville.

In politics Mr. Baker is a republican and served as assessor in Clay township for thirteen years; he is postmaster of Brookville, having been appointed under the Harrison administration; he has been land appraiser two terms, a member of the school board and of the town council, for three years county infirmary director, and is the present town treasurer. He is president of the Citizens’ Bank of Brookville, and is in every way energetic and progressive as a business man and citizen. To Mr. and Mrs. Baker have been born two children, named Edith Lillor and Arlie Levi.

It may be proper here to trace the Baker family of Ohio to its origin in America. George Peter Baker, who was born and who lived and died in Strasbourg, Germany, had four sons who came to America in 1727, viz: George, Jacob, Henry and Peter. Of these, George died a youth; Jacob married, but died without issue; Henry died a bachelor; Peter inherited property from his father, and the accumulated property of his brothers through long leases and also by will. Part of this estate is now covered by Fairmount park, in Philadelphia, and by the zoological gardens in the same city. To this valuable estate the Baker family of to-day still lay claim, as the original deed granted it “To Peter Baker, his children and grandchildren forever;” and, being thus entailed, the claim is considered to be valid. Peter had born to him two children — Jacob and Elizabeth. Jacob married Hannah Lemon, and Elizabeth married Leonard Ellmsker. Jacob had born to him ten children, of whom one, Lemon Baker, is the great-grandfather of Isaac Baker, of Lawrence, Kans. Peter, to whom the above mentioned estate was granted or devised, was the great-great-grandfather of Levi, the subject; Jacob was the great-grandfather; Michael, who settled in Montgomery county, Ohio, was the grandfather, and Benjamin the father, as has already been shown. Many members of the Baker family went to Canada about the beginning of the present century, and in that country have been found the bibles containing the old family records, establishing the identity of the many heirs there and in the United States without a missing link. One of these ancient volumes is 165 years old and another is 135, but the records are all legible and convincing.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

LEVI BAKER.

Levi Baker is a representative of one of the oldest families in Montgomery county and was born on the 9th of June, 1836, in Clay township within the corporation limits of Brookville, where he has always lived. He is a son of Benjamin and Frances (Niswonger) Baker, who came from Virginia in 1810 when the entire country was a wilderness. Large bands of Indians camped on the place which he took up and every evidence of pioneer life was to be seen. Not only did red men roam through the forests but the woods were also the haunts of many wild animals and through the forests in places there were only Indian trails. The father, however, turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits and for many years was well known as a successful farmer and grain merchant.

Levi Baker was reared on the old homestead and his memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present. He can relate many interesting incidents of the early days. His education was acquired in the public schools and at the age of twenty-six years he entered into active business relations with his father. They not only carried on farming and purchased grain but also had charge of the postoffice and had the agency of the Panhandle and Pennsylvania Railroad at this point, being the first agents of those lines. They likewise conducted a general store and were thus closely associated with diversified lines of activity that contributed to the improvement and general progress of the community. The business was conducted under the firm style of Baker & Son. After six years Levi Baker sold his interest, purchased a farm and in connection with the cultivation of his fields also carried on the grain business on his own account. His worth as a citizen and business man led to his selection for various positions of honor and trust. For thirteen years he was township assessor and for two terms was land appraiser. In 1883 he entered into business relations with D. C. Williamson as railroad and express agent under the firm style of Baker & Williamson and this connection was continued for about twenty years. Again Mr. Baker was called to public office, acting as county infirmary director for three years, as township treasurer for four years and as city treasurer for twenty-five years. Fie was also assistant postmaster and for six years filled the position of postmaster. In all of these offices he proved loyal, competent and faithful and his public record is one over which there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.

Mr. Baker was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Gauger and unto them was born a daughter, Mary Ann, now deceased. For his second wife he those Rebecca Koontz, and they had two children: Arlie L. and Edith L., who is now the wife of Ira B. Miller, a butcher of Brookville. They have one child, Donald B.

As a further expression of the confidence reposed in Mr. Baker it may be cited that he has settled as assignee and administrator many of the states in this part of the county and never with a loss of a single dollar to any. His name is associated with many events and business projects of the community. He put up the first tobacco warehouse in Brookville and for many years has bought tobacco for others averaging about one hundred thousand pounds annually for the last twelve years. He may well be termed the father of the tobacco industry in Brookville, which has been such an important source of revenue to the town. The village of Brookville has been built upon part of the old Baker farm and Mr. Baker has laid out two additions thereto. He enjoys the highest esteem of his neighbors and his friends are legion. He is often consulted upon matters relative to the history of this section of the state and seldom is his memory at fault concerning any matter that has left its impress upon the public life.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

NOAH BAKER, one of the best known citizens of Brookville, Ohio, is a descendant of an early pioneer family of Montgomery county, his ancestors having been among the first settlers in Clay township. Michael Baker, his grandfather, was a native of Somerset county, Pa., a farmer by occupation and married Catherine Smucker, a native of the same county. The children of Michael and Catherine Baker were Susan, Jacob, Ann, Mary, Elizabeth, Catherine, John, Michael, Benjamin and Samuel, the first two born in Pennsylvania, and the others in Montgomery county, Ohio.

It was in 1805 that Michael Baker with his wife and two children, Susan and Jacob, came from Somerset county, Pa., to Montgomery county, Ohio, shipping all their goods at Pittsburg on a boat to be thus taken down the Ohio river, and on the way down the river they were all spoiled by water. Mr. Baker settled in the woods one mile northeast from the present site of Brookville, near a good spring of water, and also near the camp of a tribe of Miami Indians. These Indians he found very peaceable and friendly, and on one occasion when he heard a rumor of war he took his family to Weaver Mills on Beaver creek for the winter, leaving his corn in rail pens in charge of the Indians, who cared for it, and expressed much delight at his return in the spring. Mr. Baker found these Indians honest and good neighbors.

When Mr. Baker settled in the locality described above it was in the midst of the primeval forest, and two and a half miles to the Rohrer settlement to the northward and eight miles to the Hay farm. He entered a section of land, and immediately set himself to work to clear it. For a time, however, the prospects were extremely discouraging, and he would have returned to Pennsylvania but for the fact that his horses died from some unknown cause. Thus he was compelled to remain in this new country, and endure all the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life, but by industry and pertinacity he at last overcame all obstacles, erected a good log cabin, and cleared up 160 acres of his land. His nearest market and depot of supplies was Cincinnati, sixty miles away. At that time there were but a few log houses in Dayton, and no stores. Mr. Baker was a man of exceedingly strong constitution, and, notwithstanding the severities of frontier life, he lived to be nearly ninety years old, dying on his farm August 21, 1854. His wife reached nearly the same age. They were devout members of the Dunkard church, and were among the earliest members of this denomination to settle in Montgomery county.

Benjamin Baker, one of the sons of Michael, and the father of Noah Baker, was born in 1810, on the old Baker homestead in Clay township. Having received the ordinary education given to country boys at that time, he married Frances Neiswonger, who was born in 1812, in Clay township, and who was a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Circle) Neiswonger, the former of whom, though of German ancestry, was a native of Virginia. To Mr. and Mrs. Baker there were born eleven children, as follows: Saty, Melinda, Noah, Levi, Mary, Cyrus, Simon, Amanda, Sarah A., Sylvester and Minerva. Benjamia Baker settled on the Salem road one and a half miles from Brookville on land given him by his father, 104 acres, all in the woods. This land he cleared, improved and made into a good farm and home, thriftily adding thereto until at last he owned about 700 acres. An excellent farmer, a good business man and a progressive citizen, he became not only popular but also prosperous. He was the first grain buyer in Brookville, carrying on that business for many years, and when the Pan Handle railroad was constructed through the place the company built a side track to his warehouse. As the first postmaster in Brookville he held the office for many years. He and his wife were members of the German Baptist or Dunkard church.

Noah Baker was born April n, 1834, on his father’s farm, and attended common school until he was nineteen years of age. While he was sufficiently well educated to teach school, yet he preferred labor and business, and became a saw-mill proprietor. August 31, 1854, he married Catherine Litten, who was born September 11, 1834, and was a daughter of James and Sarah A. (Blair) Litten, the former of whom was an old citizen of Montgomery county, living near Dayton. While Mr. Litten was a native of Maryland, he moved early to this county with his wife. His children were named as follows: John. Samuel, David, Frances, Elizabeth, Grace, Delilah, Prudence and Catherine.

Mr. and Mrs. Baker, shortly after their marriage, settled on a farm of eighty acres. He soon engaged in the saw-mill business on the same spot where his mill now stands. He prospered in this enterprise and now owns valuable property in Brookville, and is still engaged in milling. Mr. Baker is a trustee in the Methodist church, of which both himself and wife are members. Politically he is a republican, and has served as a member of the corporation council. To Mr. and Mrs. Baker there have been born eleven children, two of whom died young; Arthur was killed at the age of twenty-three in an accident on the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad, near Carrollton, Ohio, and the remaining children are as follows: Cornelia, Fidelia, Ambrose,

Frances, Granville, Carrie, Orville and Emerson. Mr. Baker’s sterling character and personal worth have made him one of the most widely-esteemed citizens of Brookville and that vicinity.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Abraham Baker, a farmer of Jefferson township, living on the outskirts of Dayton, which is his post-office via rural route, No. 6, was born August 8, 1854, at the county infirmary, of which his father, Aaron Baker, was superintendent at the time. The latter came to this state from Maryland, but his mother, who in her maidenhood was Miss Nancy Simpson, came to Ohio from Pennsylvania. Soon after settling in this county Aaron Baker became identified with local politics, and as he exhibited an aptitude for that kind of work was appointed superintendent of the county infirmary, holding the office first in 1850 and for several terms thereafter. Seven children were born to him and his wife: Abraham, David, Charles, Webster, John, Alice and Marilda. Abraham Baker, the eldest of this family, grew to manhood under the wise guidance of his parents. His early years were not marked by anything of great importance, though in their course he decided that he should like to learn the carpenter’s trade, which he did, and in it acquired not a little skill, for he pursued it steadily for some time, but of late years he has been able to give less and less time to it as he has devoted himself with greater zest to the cultivation of his farm. Not only does he look to improving his own place and conditions, he also works eagerly in the councils of the Agricultural Board of Montgomery county, in which he sits as a representative of Jefferson township, for the advancement of farming and the betterment of farm life throughout the county. His unselfish devotion to this worthy cause and his many and untiring efforts in its behalf should obtain for him the gratitude of his fellow-citizens.

On the 22d of November, 1878, Mr. Baker wedded the woman of his choice, Miss Mary Caylor, who was born on the 9th of October, 1853, a daughter of Uriah and Sarah Caylor, who live in this county. Mrs. Baker is a member of the Mount Carmel Reformed Church, to which, both in its work and social affairs she gives generously of her time and energy. Mr. Baker is not a member of any church though the life he leads is exemplary and evidences those qualities which we customarily denominate Christian. Mr. and Mrs. Baker live in a cozy little home, where they are always most cordial in their reception of their friends.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN FREDERICK BAKER.

John Frederick Baker has been connected with the hardware trade throughout his entire life, embarking in this line as a young tradesman at the outset of his business career. His close application through all of the passing years has developed his latent powers and capacities and his keen sagacity and sound judgment bring a ready solution to complex commercial problems.

Born in Dayton on the loth of October, 1851, his youthful days were spent in the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John G. Baker. The father was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1808 and came to America in 1848, ‘locating first in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was married to Miss Dorothea S. Schreiver. In 1850 they removed to Dayton and Mr. Baker opened a retail grocery store on East Fifth street near the canal, the first store of the kind to be established on that thoroughfare. For about eleven years he successfully conducted the business and then sold out that he might give his undivided attention to his investments, for from time to time he had purchased property and was the owner of considerable real estate. His death occurred, however, in 1862. He was long survived by his widow, who died in 1890 at the advanced age of eighty-two years. A daughter and three sons survived her death: Mary A., now the wife of Charles Sholz, of St. Louis, Missouri; the Rev. William J. Baker, of Amelia, Ohio; John F. Baker, of this review; and Charles A. Baker, who makes his home in St. Louis.

At five years of age John F. Baker entered the public schools, wherein he continued his studies until he had completed the first year’s work in the high school. Then, when in his fourteenth year, he entered the hardware business, becoming an employe of A. C. Marshall in the same room which he now occupies. He started in a humble capacity but gradually worked his way upward by successive promotions until in 1874 he was admitted to a partnership under the firm style of Marshall & Baker. This relation was maintained until May, 1884, when Mr. Baker purchased his partner’s interests and has since conducted the business under his own name. Thus for forty-four years he has been a factor in the hardware trade of the city, business being carried on at the same location all of that time, and his establishment has largely set the standard for activity in this line. The business has been conducted in accordance with the most modern commercial ideas and with such strict regard for commercial integrity that the house sustains an unsullied reputation in all of its trade relations. Mr. Baker is also a stockholder and one of the directors in the Merchants National Bank and is regarded as one of the safe and sound business men of his native city.

In 1882 in Dayton occurred the marriage of Mr. Baker and Miss Ella B. Marshall, a daughter of Samuel Marshall, a prominent citizen of Dayton, whose death occurred in 1875. There were two children of that marriage: Frederick Marshall and Dorothea Margaret. Mr. Baker has ever been devoted to the welfare of his family, considering no effort or sacrifice on his part too great if it would enhance the happiness of the members of his household.

His political support is given to the democracy but he does not seek nor desire office. He has never relegated his religious duties to a secondary place in his life but on the contrary has for many years been a faithful and devoted member of the Third Street Presbyterian church and gives generous cooperation to many good works done in the name of charity and religion. He is one of the directors of the Young Men’s Christian Association and also of the Associated Charities. In his life business ability, humanitarianism and public-spirited citizenship are well balanced factors.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN L. BAKER, member of the board of city affairs, of Dayton, was born in New Carlisle, Clarke county, Ohio, December 10, 1848. His father, William Baker, was born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1821, and was a son of John Baker, one of the earliest settlers of the city of Dayton, and one of the first carpenters and contractors to locate there. John Baker assisted in building the old Third street bridge. William Baker was reared in Dayton, where he learned the trade of carriagemaking. In 1840 he removed to New Carlisle, Clarke county, where he was married to Mary McNeal, who was born in Pennsylvania and who died about 1850. Mr. Baker died in 1870. Until the beginning of the war he carried on the manufacture of carriages at New Carlisle. He and his wife were the parents of two sons, John L., and William A., his elder brother, who is now a resident of Muncie, Ind.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

New Carlisle, continuing until January 2, 1872, when he moved to Dayton and entered upon the same business there, having been thus engaged ever since. His present factory is situated at Nos. 22, 24 and 26 West Fifth street. In March, 1889, Mr. Baker also embarked in the livery business with a stable on Ludlow street, between Third and Fourth streets, and has now one of the largest establishments in the city. On January 29, 1894, he purchased the Dayton Transfer company’s property and business, and now operates that as well as his carriage manufactory and livery stable. In April, 1895, he was appointed by Mayor Mc- Miilen to a position on the board of city affairs, of which office he took possession on the 19th of that month. Mr. Baker has always been a democrat, and as such holds his present office. He was married in 1875 to Miss Josie Brower, of New Carlisle, and to their marriage there has been born one daughter, Blanche Louise.

Brederick d. barker, m. d., physician and surgeon of Dayton, Ohio, with office at No. 29 North Perry street, was born at McConnelsville, July 13, 1860. He is a son of Charles L. and Rachael (Maxwell) Barker, both of whom are of Scotch descent and now living at McConnelsville. The family were among the earliest settlers of Morgan county, Ohio, and experienced all the trials, hardships and dangers of pioneer days. They have been for years prominent in their part of the state in political and religious matters as well as in philanthropic movements, and there are many of the name in southeastern Ohio.

The grandfather of Dr. Barker was Luther D. Barker, who, in company with two of his brothers, located early in the Muskingum valley. They were interested in flatboating down the river, and were otherwise employed in business of various kinds, and also in farming. Some members of the family became ministers of the gospel, while Frederick D. is the only one who has turned his attention to medicine. The family are mostly republicans, and with few exceptions are members of the Baptist church.

Frederick D. Barker is one of a family of five children, and is the only son. He was reared in his native town, received his education in the public schools, from which he was graduated in 1878, having, however, previously taken a course of study in the Southeastern Ohio Normal school. After graduating from the public schools of McConnelsville, he entered Denison university at Granville, Ohio, graduating from this institution in 1882, with the degree of bachelor of philosophy. In 1891 he was honored with the degree of master of philosophy.

After graduating from Denison university he engaged in business with his father in Mc- Connelsville, dealing in provisions and wool, and continued thus engaged until 1888. In 1884 he made a trip to Europe, visiting the British Isles and the entire continent, with the double purpose of pleasure and study, and in 1888 began the study of medicine with R. Harvey Reed, surgeon-in-chief of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, and took his first course of lectures at the Ohio Medical college in Cincinnati. The second course of lectures he took at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was graduated in the class of 1890. In a competitive examination among twenty-five applicants, for the position of house physician and surgeon in the Presbyterian hospital in Philadelphia, Dr. Barker took first place, and as a consequence served as resident physician for one year, leaving there in 1891, and coming direct to his present location in Dayton,

Ohio. Here he has been engaged in the active practice of medicine ever since.

Dr. Barker is a member of the Beta Theta Pi college fraternity, of the Stille Medical society, of Philadelphia, and of the American Academy of Railway Surgeons. He is the physician to the Widows’ home in Dayton, is the city police surgeon, is head surgeon of the Dayton district of the D. & M. railway, and of the C., D. & I. and C., H. & D. railways. He is also surgeon on the staff of the Deaconess hospital, and teaches anatomy and physiology in the Dayton Summer school for teachers. He lectures on medical subjects before the Young Men’s Christian association in Dayton, and also in Xenia, and is active in the general work of that association.

In 1894 Dr. Barker made a second trip abroad, spending most of his time in the hospitals of London and Vienna. In the following spring he made a trip through Italy and down into Egypt, through Palestine, to Athens and Constantinople, returning through Bulgaria, Syria and Hungary to Vienna. Throughout his entire career he has been self-reliant, and an independent student and investigator. He paid his own way through the medical schools, met without assistance his expenses upon the three trips to Europe, and, in short, what he has thus far accomplished has been wholly through his own unaided efforts.

Dr. Barker was married in Boston, June 3, 1896, to Helen R. Rice, a native of Boston and a daughter of Marshall O. Rice, manufacturer of that city.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

DWIN RUTHVEN BAKER, M. D., practicing physician and surgeon of Dayton, with office at No. 221 East Third street, was born in Phillipsburg, Montgomery county, Ohio, June 6, 1851. He is a son of Andrew H. and Hannah C. (Thomas) Baker, both of whom are living at Phillipsburg.

Edwin Ruthven Baker was reared in Montgomery county, and educated in the public schools until he was fifteen years of age, when he began to learn the trade of mason, at which he worked for some eight or ten years during the summer season, at the same time pursuing the study of medicine with Dr. J. W. Tedrow, now deceased. After completing his studies in the public schools of Dayton, he attended the Ohio Medical college at Cincinnati, and graduated as a member of the class of 1876. After this he formed a partnership with Dr. Hawkins at Union, Montgomery county, with whom he was associated for two years. He then located at West Milton, Miami county, and was there engaged in an active and successful practice for twelve years. At the end of this time he came to Dayton, where he has since been engaged successfully in the general practice of his profession and in surgery. He is a member of Gem City lodge, No. 795, I. O. O. F., and has belonged to this order for twenty-four years. In politics he is a republican, and has been elected to the office of township treasurer.

Dr. Baker was married at Union, Montgomery county, November 23, 1876, to Miss Fannie E. Hawthorne, a daughter of George and Nancy Hawthorne, who came from Pennsylvania to Ohio. Mrs. Baker was born in Lancaster, Pa., and is of German and Irish ancestry. Dr. Baker is one of the progressive citizens of Dayton, is public spirited, and takes an interest in every movement calculated to promote the property of his chosen home.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ALLEN M. BAKER, of the National Military Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, near Dayton, Ohio, was born in Aroostook county, Me., August 9, 1833, and is a son of George and Mary (Lawrence) Baker, natives of New Brunswick, where their marriage took place. George Baker was a mechanic, but died when his son Allen was but a child. Of his five sons three were soldiers in the late Civil war, and one was for seven months a prisoner at Andersonville, S. C.

Allen M. Baker was quite well educated in the public schools of his native state of Maine; learned the blacksmith’s trade, and later became a steamboatman, and in this latter employment he was engaged when he enlisted, December 20, 1863, in Company I, Thirtyninth New York volunteer infantry. He served until the close of the war in the army of the Potomac, Second army corps, under Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock; and in the battle of the Wilderness, Va., under Gen. U. S. Grant, was wounded, May 6, 1864, and sent to hospital. There he was confined until August 1 5 following, when he rejoined his regiment at City Point, Va., and took part in all its marches, skirmishes and engagements until the war closed. Among the battles of note in which he participated were those of Deep Bottom, Reams Station, Petersburg, and Hatcher’s Run, and all engagements of his company; he was in the grand review in Washington, D. C., in May, 1865, and was finally mustered out of the service, in that city, July 1, of the same year. He returned to his native state for a brief visit, then came west and for a number of years was employed in farming and lumbering in Wisconsin and Minnesota, but at last succumbed to the effects of disease contracted in the army, and in October, 1884, sought a refuge in the soldiers’ home near Dayton. For a long time after entering this institution he was unable to perform any active labor, and was, until the five years last past, constantly under medical treatment, but was then appointed captain of company Eleven, his barracks affording accommodation for 217 men.

Capt. Baker has never been married and has lived apart from his family relatives since the close of the Civil war. He has never been a member of any secret society and in religious matters he thinks for himself. In politics he is bound by no party ties, but exercises his franchise in favor of the candidate he considers to be a friend of the soldiers. His military titles were awarded him for marked bravery on the battle field and meritorious conduct in face of the enemy and in the performance of duty on all occasions. He was first promoted to be sergeant of his company, then commissioned second lieutenant, and then captain, with which rank he was mustered out.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.