, 1876-09-16
OBITUARY..


ADJ. .-GEN. 4. D. BAKER, OF IOWA.
EpectaI Correspondence ef Th4 Tribune.
DEs MONIES, Ia, Sept. 14,-Tlo State Ias
men, In tho death OF Nathaniel B. Baker, who
died about o'clock Monday morning. For
two ycars his constitution has been brea1sing-
down from oycrworli,-not fubor OF llis official
duties, but solf4mposcd for the good Of others.
When the gsasshoppcr-scourgc passed over tho
northwestern part Of this State, 1t involved tic
homcs Of 1owa soldiers, who were the
special pride Of Gen. Baker. The State
donated $4,000 to their aid, and
tho people furnished immense quanti-
tics Of supplies. A commission was appointed
to dispense these charities; but 50 strong was
tho attachment Of Gen. Baker for his " buys"
That be personally took the matter in his own
hands, except tho disbursement Of tho slate
funds. Day md night for months, without rest
or removal, he worked, receiving. packing, and
sending away donations. a year ago last spring
lie visited tho grasshoppcs-region to distribute
supplies which had accumulated At various
points, and acquaint himself with tho condition
OF tho people. IIo was exposed to
severe Storm Of slect and wind,
and, already nearly , c1hansted, his
down; md iron, tlat tima he gradually fIlcd
until, about ak weeks ago, he WIS confined to
h1a house, only to lcayc It concd for tho grave.
Ile was bosi, in lIillsborough {now HcnnikcrA
stf N H. seR s H. Fss ss nsissy Sd a
Phillips Academy, Exeter. lie then entered
HarYard College, and graduated with honor In
18J5. lie thcn entered tho laW-ofllco Ut Frnnk.
In psrc9 aod W. W. admitted limited 70 The prastce, , Of
profession Of laS, ho purchased hali.intercst
IN tho NtpIidn!pshfrs Patriot, with which
ho WIS connected as editor for thrco. years,
when he retired. During this tins l1o was
tain Of = company, Adjntant Of arcglmcnt. aid
Aid to tho Governor. In 1916 ho was appointed
Clerk Of thc Court Of Common Pleas; and, in
1916, Clerk Of tho Superior Court Of Jndtcature
tho Assistant Clerks Of tue Houso OF Roprcscut-
atiycs. 1u 1HlU lle assumed the editorial harness
agai.,, "a publisher Of tho Dattu LegAlattrs lio-
p0rttr iii 1851 he was elected Representative to
was closcn Speaker OF tho House, mud served
two tGrms,-thus showing Ills marked
popularItp. In 1859 he was elected Presidential
Elector; and Ia 1854 Wns clcCtul Governor OF
scarcely expected, as tina! party had become IN
popular, and thcrc were thrcc candidates In tho
lc1d. But his grept popularity gayc him ma
1orlty over nl. As I'LL executive officer, he gave
gEsat @ sattstsetlen to al: Ill., term sxpEei n
law, acrving Tho Chicago & Northwestern Rail-
road Company as its attorney. In l6b0 hc Was
elected Representative to tlc Leglsiature from
Clinton County, md served In tho susston OF
1850, aud tho extra 'war-session Of 1901, acting
With tho Republicans. July, 1851, he was up
pointcl BY toy. Mrkwood Aljutaut General
Of Iowa, and las filed TINT office, BY rcappoint~
mctt by each successive Governor, to the pres
cut time, and llia commission Was tho first Of
tictal act done by each new Governor Oh taking
Ills office.
Ills Official career Al the head Of tho military
depa5,tns,nt ot ths & stats .'s Won ter l1m tasR
Ill the statcs' AdIutasi -General, aud tho
highest cnco.l[ums trom tho Uuited States War
Department for tho alruratc, systcmatic, anl
clalorato III, nan'er tn which everything c9.l.
voted his whole, cncrgics to tae vol;
their families at home 80 familiar did ho he-
coule with tllun, and 80 remarkable WIS his
you promptly what regiment cacf man belonged
worsh!pel "Pap Bakcr," aud to nono III tllto
State VIII the tidngs Ut his 1eath comc with
I" ti,cn'. lii was thelr friend and counselor,
wlls,sc word was their ubdng faith.
lion. Baker was u remarkable mau. no WIS
build, yet discreet; plain anl undtsguised IN bis
tIco % Till bis great, whols-soulci natare sioils
out In all ho said or did. Act!ye
and energetic as ho WAS durng tho
days when this lcrcest passions of men we're
aroused, l,o commanded tho esteem Of all: and
ho goea to his grave without IN enemy IN tho
world. Onu OF tho nnblest fruits Of Ills cfarac-
ter was Ills regard for the poor, and for children.
lie gave INCREASINGLY alld u4stlltetlly, eyctl
tAkIng that which la htuself needed. 1}o could
not Witness poverty or want without anc!lort to
street, n.any halt-staryetl widow at hoR1c, hare
hcen blessed With h!s eharity. List wlnt:E hu
met one OF Ills sollirr-boys IN thu street, hungry
aud nearly frozcn. lie tt'ok oil his lne oYcrcoat,
PLACED It On the soilleE. gayu him Bonae money
anl food, aud sent him 0n Ills way. Last suIa-
luer, when tho Iowa suldicrs who had been driven
frolu their Kansas TURNS by the graashoppeE4.
wcro passlng through the city, nearly famls6cd,tt
was ~ uncommon thing for t3en. baker to take 90
or 70 pcEsonY to hotel, aud provide for thema
good incal, AID otherwise a!d them. These are
hut few instances OF daily occurrence, wllcl
Will ncycr be known except by tho ullnoncra VI
Ills generous heart.
TIC Geucral lgaycs wife and four children.
the youugvst Guild teing about 10 ycara old-to
mourn hk loss. HY proclamation Of tho Goy-
efpor le will be- buried OIL EridAy with military
honors, In which tho various tlflo 6oclotlea ot
| tho cIty, and tht Bar, Will join. ~.
n