The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-29
EX-GOVERNOR BAKER DEAD.
His Protracted Illness Terminated Fa-
tally at 8 P. NJ. Yesterday.
A Sketch Of His Public and Private Life
His Remains TO Be Taken to Ey-
ansyille for Burial.

Hon. Conrad Baker, Ex-Governor of Indiana,
died yesterday afternoon, at o'clock, at his resi-
dence in this city. No. 5ss North Alabama street,
after an illness of several months. He was first
afflicted with pneumonia but partly recovered
from that trouble, and the attending physicians.
Drs. Jameson and Thompson, entertained
sanguine hopes of his convalescence Last
Thursday, however, relapse set in, and the
disease took the form of paralysis of
the pneumogastric nerve, and Governor Baker
was seized with violent hemorrhages, which
greatly accelerated his death. 1t was known
several days ago by the family that he could not
recover and messages of that import were
dispatched to all his friends within and without
the city. Of the family, a widow and three
children survive. One daughter, Alice, is
married and living in Kansas City, and
of the two sons, Albert and Walter, the
former is in business in this city.
Vicepresident Hendricks has been telegraphed
the news OF his death, and will possibly be in
the city to attend the funeral services. This af-
ternoon, at 3 o'clock, the members of the Indian
apolis bar will meet in the United States Court
room, and pay tribute to the memory Of Gov.
Baker. The remains will be taken to Evans
vile, the former home of the Governor, where
they will be buried on Friday. Services will be
held at the residence in this city before leaving
Conrad Baker was born in Franklin county,
Pa, on Feb II, 1917 His education was
obtained at the Pennsylvania College. at
Gettysburg He afterwards began the study
of law under Thaddeus Stevens and
Judge Daniel NJ. Smyser In the spring of
1889 he was admitted to tho bar, and began
practicing in Gettysburg. In 1841, however he
came West and located at Evansville, where he
lived until after he was elected Governor of the
State. Four years after settling at Evansville
he was elected a member of the Legislatures In
1852 he was elected judge of the Common
Pleas Court for the district comprising Wander
burg and Warrick counties. He held the office,
however, only eighteen months, and at the end
of that time resigned. Without any effort on
his part, in 1856, he was nominated by the Re-
publicans for Lieutenant governor, at the time
when Oliver p. Morton headed the ticket as
candidate for Governor. The ticket was de-
feated.
In the beginning of the civil war he was
commissioned colonel of the First Cavalry,
Twenty-eighth Regiment, Indiana Volunteers.
For three years he was in the field, in command
While at Helena. Ark, in April, 1863,
he was ordered by the Secretary of
War to proceed forthwith to indianapolis and re-
port to the provost marshal When he arrived
II
assistant provost marshal general for Indiana.
Until August, 1864, his time was occupied with
the duties of provost marshal general, superin-
tendent of volunteer recruiting and chief mus
tering officer.
In 1864 the Republicans again nominated
Oliver 2. Morton for Governor and Col. Baker
for Lieutenant governor. They We're elected,
and in 1865, when the General Assembly con-
vened in special session, Governor Morton, i'm
mediately after delivering his inaugural address,
1oft fnp fn-t hayn ne Sc orl
leaving Acknowledgement Baker to discharge
the duties Of chief executive Of the State during
the FIVE months that he was absent from the
country.
When the General Assembly elected Governor
Morton to the United States Senate, in Feb
ruary, 1861 Lieutenant governor Baker became
the executive of the State. He was unani
mously nominated for Governor in 1868
by the Republicans. Thomas A. Hendricks
was his opponent on the Democratic
one, resulting in the election of Governor Baker
by majority of 961. At the expiration of his
term of Office he succeeded Thomas A. Hen
bricks in the practice of law in this city. in part
nershp with @. B. Hord and A. w. Hendricks
Mr. Hendricks succeeding him as Governor. the
firm being known as Baker, Hord & Hendricks
He has since quietly pursued the practice of his
profession, taking no active interest in political
matters, and aside from his business his time
has been devoted to his family, his intimate
friends and his church.
He was man of sterling integrity and one of
the solid, substantial men of the city and State
BY his neighbors, his party and the general pub
lie he was universally esteemed for his worth
and ability, and news of his death will be re-
ceived with general regret In his profession
he was regarded as one Of the ablest if not the
ablest constitutional lawyer and adviser in the
State, and his Judgment in legal matters was sell
dom, if ever. questioned. He was for many
years prominent member of the Third, or Tab
ernacle, Presbyterian Church, and took an
active rart in matters pertaining to the organi-
cation.