Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-12-01


This community vas startled on Thanks
giving morning 70 learn Of the decease Of
Hon. Joseph Baker, one of its Oldest and
most honofed citizens. He returned from
hockiand. where be had been engaged in the
thai Of cases. on Thursday Of last week,
suffering from . severe cold and uervou,
prossration. DR.. Hill, the family physi
clan. was 1t once summoned and pronounced
il case Of catarrhal pneumonia, but the
best medical aid proved unavailing aRains,
the dread disease, and after week's- illues,
he passed away.
The deceased was born At Bloomfield (uou
Skowhegan) Maine. June 23rd, 1872.
His ancestors were . strong and hardy race
both physically and intellectually and Mr..
Baker inherited these characteristics in
marked degree. He fitted for college
partly At China Academy. but chiefly
without an instructor; entered Bowdoin
College in 1882 and graduated from that
institution in the class of 1885, In his
struggle for an education he was Obliged
to rely wholly upon himself, for there Was no
one to render him pecuniary aid.
After graduating be came to Augusta, and
for two years vas assistant teacher in the
High School, under Prof. VIM. H. Allen,
afterward President Of Girard College Dur
ing this time he began the study Of Law.
completed his studies in the Office Of Viii
liams & McCobb, and finally in that of vose
Lancaster, and was admitted to the Kenne-
bee bar 10 August. 1889. He Immediately
opened an Office in this city and in 1913. en-
tered into partnership with Sewall Lancas-
ter. ESQ.,, under the firm name OF
Lancaster & Baker During these
years he took an active part in politics. being
himself Wing and in May 1854, he became
editor of the Kennebec Journal. VIM. H.
Simpson. Esq. being proprietor. In No.
vember 1854, Hon. James G. Blaine pur-
chased an interest in the paper and it was
published by Baker { Blaine from that time
his interest to Hon. John L. Stevens and re-
sumed the practice Of law from which he
never after turned aside. In 1872, his son,
Orville d. Baker became . partner, and the
firm of Baker & Baker continued till 1892,
when the firm of Baker, Baker & Cornish.
was formed with Mr.: Leslie C. Cornish as
junior partner.
Mr.. Baker has often been honored by the
city, has served in both branches Of the city
government, was city solicitor in 1858 SO go
and '6S, a member of the House of Represen-
tatives in 1870 and of the Senate in lS47,
= Politics however was not his forte nor were
political honors the object of his ambition
His profession was his pride and to hold high
rank as a member of the bar was ample honor
for him, and it Was an honor which he lived to
enjoy, for not only did he become the leader
of the bar in this county but he was often
called to conduct important and diff cult cases
ton of the single year of journalism, MI. Baker
has been in the constant and active practice
of the law for more than forty years and
his name appears in nearly every Maine Re-
port since l84l. Admitted, when the bar
embraced such giants as Wells, Evans, Allen,
Paine, Boutelle, Reuel Williams, and such
younger lights as Bradbury and Morrill,, it
required no small degree of ability and integ-
ritv to secure and maintain position among
them, hut Mr.. Baker was soon accorded
leading place.
As lawyer he combined clear perception.
sound judgment, AMI powerful, and times
eloquent advocacy. With . vigorous con.
stitution he was enabled to work with aston
ishing application, and TO his untiring indus
try supplemented by sound common sense,
more than to his natural brilliancy, is to be
attributed his great success: and these
hsbits OF industry and Of close appli-
ta,ion continued to his very death. His
last arc un cDt was III the somewhat celebr ated
case Of Noyes VS.. Gilman. two weeks age,
but he did not live to learn the favorable de-
cision. He died with his armor on, and it
i, probable that could he have had his wish,
il would not have been otherwise for he was
one to whom rect was positively irksoms and
work an absolute necessity.
The members of the bar throughout the
State will ever remember him as a
strong but courteous adversary. as q
fearless but kindly opponent.
As man, Mr. Baker was upright and
honest, kindly and generous; ~ . citizen, he
was progressive and public spirited, and Is a
friend he was true and faithful. His con
alone survives him, and to him in this hour
Of bereavement called within less than a
wear to mourn the loss of both mother and
father. the community extend their ten
derest sympathy.