History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century/4/James Baker

by Benjamin F. Gue

JAMES BAKER was born in Gallatin County, Kentucky, December 25, 1823. His father removed to Shelbyville, Indiana, where the son received his education. In 1852 he came to Iowa, locating at Bloomfield in Davis County, where he studied law and entered into partnership with his brother-in-law, H. H. Trimble. At the beginning of the Civil War Mr. Baker entered the volunteer service and received a commission as captain of Company G, Second Infantry. In November he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel and eight months later became colonel of that famous regiment. He was mortally wounded while gallantly leading his regiment at the Battle of Corinth on the 3d of October, 1862. He lived until the 7th of October, when death ended his sufferings.