For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 651
ELIJAH BAKER....Among the successful citizens of Muscatine is Elijah Baker, a man whose career is a remarkable exemplification of the effect of courage based on good judgment and executive ability. He was born in Rockingham, Virginia, June 8, 1842, and is a son of Elijah and Lucinda ( McCloud ) Baker. The father who was also a native of Rockingham, came to Muscatine, Iowa, in the spring of 1866 and lived upon a farm until his death, which occurred in 1872. The grandfather of our subject was of English descent. He had a brother who was in the Revolutionary war and in battle was scalped by an Indian. When found he was lying with his face to the ground, having with great prescence of mind kept perfectly still, and thus escaped with his life. The great grandfather was an English sailor. The mother of our subject was of Scotch descent. She was born in Virginia and died in Muscatine county in 1872, the same year in which her husband passed away. They were both buried in Greenwood cemetery. There were seven children in their family : Joseph, John and Samuel, all deceased ; R. M., a resident of California ; Margaret, who became the wife of John Dougherty and is now deceased ; William, deceased ; and Elijah, our subject.Elijah Baker was educated in Virginia and at nineteen years of age enlisted April 18, 1861, in a volunteer company. He first served under General Stonewall Jackson, being a member of the Tenth Virginia Regiment of Volunteers, which he joined for one year. During this period he became convinced that the Union should be preserved and that it was his duty to assist in upholding the stars and stripes. Accordingly he came north and assisted in raising Company M, Twelfth Ohio Volunteers, of which he was appointed drill master. Later he was made first duty sergeant and after he had still further demonstrated his capacity as a soldier he was commissioned as second lieutenant of his company. His regiment assisted in terminating guerilla warfare in Kentucky and in driving Morgan out of the field. He participated in the battles of King Salt Works, or Abingdon, Virginia, Mount Sterling and Leesburg, Kentucky, being wounded in the leg at the latter place. Upon recovering from his wound he went east to Tennessee and to Virginia, engaging for three months in almost continuous fighting. He continued in the service until after the war was over and was mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee, November 14, 1865. In 1866 Mr. Baker came to Muscatine and devoted his attention for a time to farming but later engaged as contractor in building and in brick paving. In this work he has been highly successful and is the owner of four farms in Muscatine county, a section of land in Kansas and thirty-five houses in Muscatine.
On the 19th of November, 1872, Mr.Baker was united in marriage to Miss Carrie H. Sumner, a native of Virginia. Five children came to bless their home, three of whom are living, Eva, Guy, and Cora. Guy lives near Nichols, Iowa. The mother of these children having departed this life July 6, 1908, Mr. Baker was married September 30, 1900, the lady of his choice being Miss Lydia Ditmars, of New York.
Mr. Baker voted for Abraham Lincoln for president in 1864 and for General U. S. Grant in 1872, but many years ago he changed his political allegiance and gave his support to the democratic party, to which he now adheres. He has never sought public office but he served with great acceptance as city marshal of Muscatine for three years. Socially he is connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is one of the few men living who participated on both sides in the Civil war and, notwithstanding frequent exposure in battle, came out of the conflict without serious injury. No man is better convinced of the justice of the result of that great event then he and none is a better friend of peace. He knows the horrors of war and he has tasted of the blessings of peace. Whether as soldier or citizen Mr. Baker has always attempted to perform his duty. He has a host of friends who have been attracted to him on account of his manly qualities.
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