Polk Co. IAGenWeb

BAKER, N. B. - (Deceased.) Adjutant-General of Iowa from July 25, 1861, to September 13, 1876. Was born September 29; 1818, in Henniker, Merrimac county (then Hillsborough), New Hampsbire. He was prepared for college by Dr. Abbott, of Phillips Academy, and was graduated at Cambridge, in class of 1839. After leaving college he studied law with Franklin Pierce, Judge Fowler, an Gen. Peaslee. He was admitted to the bar in 1842, but soon connected himself with the secular press. In 1845 he was appointed clerk of the court of common pleas, and in 1846 clerk of the Supreme Court of Judicature for Merrimac county. In 1852 he resigned his clerkship and went into the practice of law. In 1850 and 1851 he was representative from Concord, and Speaker of the House both years. In 1854 he was elected Governor of New Hampshire, and his administration was characterized with his usual promptness and endrgy. In 1856 he removed to Iowa, and settled at Clinton, where he followed his profession until 1860. He was elected to the State Lesgislature in 1859, and served as representative of Clinton county in 1860 and the extra session of 1861. On the 25th of July, 1861, he was appointed by Governor Kirkwood Adjutant-General of Iowa, and retained his place until his death, which occurred on the 13th of September, 1876. Among the multitude of things good and noble performed by Gen. Baker, none are more worthy of notice than the following: In 1872 the northwestern portion of Iowa was devastated by immense swarms of grasshoppers, completely destroying the crops, and bringing a great majority of the settlers to a sad degree of impoverishment and want. The want of the people became known, and General Baker at once and by common and universal consent took charge of the relief movement. He made known the wants of "his people" and public confidence in him being thoroughly hearty, were all more than met. To his prompt and efficient labors thousands of worthy men, women and children owe much, for he originated the charity that brought to many of them not only the necessaries of life, but saved them from actual starvation.