U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: --------------------------------------------------------------------- Baker, John Nelson (1850-1909) --------------------------------------------------------------------- A History of Preston County West Virginia Biographical Department, Supplied by J. R. Cole Kingwood, W. Va., The Journal Publishing Company, 1914 by H. S. Whetsell Pages 715-716, HON. JOHN NELSON BAKER Among men of great usefulness and who stood ever ready to extend help and encouragement to others, and for every worthy enterprise in Preston county, was the well known and highly public spirited citizen of the state, as well as our county, the Honorable John Nelson Baker of Independence. He was born April 26, 1850, on a farm near Marquess this county, was reared a farmer, taught school six terms, elected a member of the Legislature two terms, and before his death became a great business man in that larger sense, which distinguishes enterprises of that higher order. He was a son of Joseph G., and Sarah A. Baker, and died Tuesday, March 16, 1909. At the time of his decease, papers of both the state and county commented at length on the moral and business qualities of Mr. Baker, voicing the sentiments of the community in which he lived, and in terms of the strongest kind. From all sources he is spoken of as one of the best citizens of the county and state, and held during his lifetime many positions of honor and trust. Mr. Baker was educated in the common schools of the county, and at West Virginia College at Flemington, and thereafter gave up farming, for a time, to become an educator. He was twice married. His first wife, Ellen Waker, died April 21, 1884. They were married April 27, 1873. The children by this union were: (1) Guy W., born February 8, 1874. He married Margaret J. Mason, December 24, 1896. Their children were Kate and Hugh. They live in Grafton. (2) Ada Grace Baker, born October 10, 1876, married H. D. Forman, October 14, 1896. One child. Nelson, became the fruit of this union. They live in Fairmont. The second marriage of Mr. Baker occurred October 22, 1885, to Miss Laura, daughter of John W. and Martha E. Graham. The wedding ceremony took place at Grafton, West Virginia. John Lewis was a native of Loudoun county, Virginia. He was a blacksmith, and lived for a time at Memphis, Missouri, but came back to Grafton where he died in 1904, at the age of seventy-five years. After marriage, the young couple took up their residence on the farm now owned by Frank Bucklew, and lived there until 1901, when they moved to Evansville, the place of his death, and where Mrs. Baker still lives. Mr. Baker owned a mill and store in Evansville, and operated both from 1901 to 1906, when a flood on July 17th, that same year, destroyed both. Three children were born to this second union, namely, Ray B., who first saw the light of day on January 7, 1889; and Olive was born June 12, 1902. A child who died in infancy, born November 28, 1886, and died April 4, 1890. Mr. John Nelson Baker distinguished his career in life, not only as a member of the House of Delegates to which he was elected, first in 1898, then again in 1900, and where he served with much credit to himself and constituents in that position; but as an agent for many years of B. F. Young Company, who owned 20,000 acres of valuable coal, mineral and timber lands in the state of West Virginia. These lands were practically in one body, but extended over portions of Preston, Tucker and Barbour counties. This syndicate, belonging in England, put their possessions into the hands of Mr. Baker, who being trusted absolutely as to their sale and disposition, sold every foot of them. Of those splendid properties we have now the Austen Coal & Coke Company, and many timber tracts that have been and are now being cut. Fraternally Mr. Baker was quite prominent in Masonic circles, having received all the honors of the order as far as the Shriners' degree. He was a member of the Aurora Lodge. No. 43, Newburg; DeMolay Commandary No. 11, of Grafton, and Copestone, Chapter No. 12; Royal Arch Masons, also of Grafton. Two sisters and one brother survive Mr. Baker. They are Mrs. Sarah Bonafield and Mrs. William Walter of Grafton, and Dr. N. H. Baker of Gellette, Wyoming. The wife of M. M. Jeffreys, now dead, was another sister. --------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other biographies for Preston County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/preston/bios.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------