John G. Baker

As printed in 1909

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 History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio (1909). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.