Background
Baker was born in East Haddam, Connecticut and moved with his parents to Ontario County, New York as a child.
judge lawyer politician United States senator
Baker was born in East Haddam, Connecticut and moved with his parents to Ontario County, New York as a child.
He attended the common schools and in 1816 he graduated from Hamilton College in Clinton, New New York He studied law and was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1819.
He briefly served as a United States. Senator in 1830. The first place he practiced law was Kaskaskia, Illinois. He served in various political positions in Illinois, and was probate judge of Randolph County from August 1827 to December 6, 1830 when he resigned to become a Senator.
Baker was appointed as a Democrat to the United States. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of John McLean and served from November 12, 1830 to December 11, 1830, when a successor was elected and qualified.
He thus is one of only a few people who have served in congress for less than a month. Baker was not a candidate for election in 1830 to fill the vacancy, and was appointed United States Attorney for the district of Illinois in 1833 and served until 1841.
He resumed the practice of law, and died in Alton, and was interred in City Cemetery.