kids encyclopedia robot

James H. Baker facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
James Heaton Baker
James H. Baker.png
James H. Baker, circa 1908
11th Ohio Secretary of State
In office
January 14, 1856 – January 11, 1858
Governor Salmon P. Chase
Preceded by William Trevitt
Succeeded by Addison P. Russell
2nd Minnesota Secretary of State
In office
1860–1862
Governor Alexander Ramsey
Preceded by Francis Baasen
Succeeded by David Blakeley
Personal details
Born (1829-05-06)May 6, 1829
Monroe, Ohio
Died May 25, 1913(1913-05-25) (aged 84)
Mankato, Minnesota
Resting place Glenwood Cemetery, Mankato
Political party Republican
Alma mater Ohio Wesleyan University
Military service
Allegiance Union Army
Years of service 1862-1864
Rank Colonel
Brevet Brigadier General
Unit 10th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment

James Heaton Baker was a Republican politician who was Ohio Secretary of State from 1856 to 1858, Minnesota Secretary of State, 1860–1862, and served in the American Civil War.

Life

James H. Baker was born May 6, 1829, in Monroe, Butler County, Ohio. He was educated in common schools, and graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University. He became a teacher, and had charge of the Female Seminary at Richmond, Indiana. In 1853 he purchased the Scioto Gazette in Chillicothe, Ohio. In 1855 he was elected to a single term as Ohio Secretary of State. Later in life, he would be Minnesota Secretary of State 1860–1862.

During the American Civil War, Baker served as colonel of the 10th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry in the Union Army in 1862–1863. He was appointed Provost Marshal for the Department of Missouri, and served till the close of the war. He was mustered out of the volunteers on October 21, 1865. In recognition of Baker's service, on January 13, 1866, President Andrew Johnson nominated Baker for appointment to the grade of brevet brigadier general to rank from March 13, 1865, and the U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment on March 12, 1866.

After the war, Baker was appointed Register of Public Lands at the Boonville, Missouri Federal Land Office, which he performed for two years. He then retired to a farm in Minnesota, and was appointed Commissioner of Pensions by President Grant from 1871 to 1875.

Baker died at Mankato, Minnesota, May 25, 1913. He is buried at Glenwood Cemetery in Mankato.

kids search engine
James H. Baker Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.