Background
Baker was born April 14, 1795 in Minden, Montgomery County, New York, the son of Thomas and Mary Baker.
Baker was born April 14, 1795 in Minden, Montgomery County, New York, the son of Thomas and Mary Baker.
At the age of 22, he moved to Springfield, Otsego County, New York, to study law. On May 25, 1836, he was appointed a Canal Commissioner, and served until the removal of all Democratic commissioners by the newly elected Whig majority in the State Legislature in February 1840. After his time in politics, he moved to Utica, where in 1845 he was chosen the first Recorder of the City (ie Deputy Mayor and City Judge).
He was well known for his expertise in patent law.
Baker died on November 6, 1871, at his home in Utica, Oneida County, New York, and was interred in Forest Hill Cemetery in Utica.
Baker was a member of the New York State Assembly (Otsego Company) in 1830, 1833 and 1834, and was Speaker in 1834.
