In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1843
From History of Johnson County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, and its townships, cities and villages from 1836 to 1882. Together with biographical sketches .. (1883)
CHARLES BAKER, a resident of Iowa City, and engaged in the practice of law as senior member of the firm of Baker & Ball, office on Washington street; was born January IS, 1843, in Saratoga county. New Jersey. He was married in 1867, to Miss Caroline Blackwell. He began the practice of the law in Marengo, Iowa, in 1866, and came to Iowa City that year, at the May term. He was a soldier in Co. I, 4th regiment, Wisconsin volunteer infantry, enlisting April 15, 1861, and was discharged in 1865. He was in the secret service in command of a company of scouts the last year of the war; was taken prisoner and sent to Fort Tyler, Texas, where he was when he was discharged. He is a democrat in politics,
As printed in History of Johnson County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, and its townships, cities and villages from 1836 to 1882. Together with biographical sketches .. (1883). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1883. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.