Baker.James.1826.BIOS JAMES M. BAKER was born in Orange County, Indiana, in 1826, a son of REV. WILLIAM and HARRIET (COWARD) BAKER, both of whom were natives of KENTUCKY. Rev. William Baker was born on Independence Day, 1804; came with his people to Orange County, Ind., in 1811; became a Missionary Baptist minister and was ordained in 1840. While visiting friends in Kansas in 1881, and while reading his text from the pulpit, he dropped dead, passing away while advocating the cause of Christ. James M. Baker was raised on a farm to manhood, secured a fair education in youth and for fifteen terms taught school, and for over thirteen years served his township as Trustee with credit. His marriage with Miss LOUISA, daughter of WILLIAM and OBEDIENCE (REEVES) BURTON, of Lawrence County, was solemnized March 18, 1852, and these children have been born to them: HARRIET O. (MRS. RALSTON), MARIA E. (MRS. COOK), WILLIAM E., JOHN W., CHARLES W. and DELANA. Mr. Baker has belonged to the Missionary Baptist Church for a number of years and is possessor of 560 acres of good land. In politics he was first a Whig, then a Republican, and is now a Grenbacker. "HISTORY OF LAWRENCE, ORANGE & WASHINGTON COUNTIES INDIANA" GOODSPEED BROS. 1884 Submitted by: Diana Flynn Date: Tue, 01 Jul 1997