The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-05-27
A PIONEER PASSES AWAY
Col. r. s. Bakers Peaceful
Death Yesterday.
He Had Been in Feeble Health for a
Year.
His Active Business Carssr-A Quiets
Careful Man of Affsirs-Some In
cidents in His Life-The
Funeral

At 2:S0 o'clock yesterday afternoon
Col. r. S. Baker, one of the pioneers.
died at his residence in the Baker block
on North Main street.
He had been sinking quite rapidly for
10 days past, and his physician, DR..
Cole, was in almost constant attendance,
DR.. Bicknell being called in for consulta-
tion day or two since.
Colonel Baker had been troubled with
affection OF the heart for over year,
and for the Last six months his condition
grew constantly worse.
He made a wonderful rally on Friday,
but it seemed to be his last recup erstiye
effort. Yesterday he did not seem to
be conscious; finally the sands of life
were run, and he passed away withou
pain, his devoted wife and his sister-in-
law, Mrs. Cave j. Couts OF Gusjome ;,
being present at the bedside.
Colonel Baker filed very pr1minen
place In the history OF Los Angeles in
the early mining days of the state. His
was we'll known figure in the city, al
though he lived very quiet life for
several years past.
The Baker block, in which he expired,
is a monument to his enterprise. 1t was
built in 1878, when many thought he
was very foolish to erect such magnifi-
cent block. 1t was the fret large bust.
ness block erected in the city, and even
now, when the city has many fine build
iDgs, is still handsome structure.
The later years of his life were spent
in compianonship with his wife, and al
though he did not take an active part in
the management of their large es tate,
stil his old business habits chung to
him, and he kept a general supervision
over his affairs.
Colonel Baker left no children and no
blood relations in Los Angeles. There
is one nephew, Mr.. William Baker of
San Francisco.
The life of the deceased, like that of
nearly all of the pioneers, was check.
cred one, and lie had many ups and
downs before the peaceful days OF his
old age were upon him.
He WAS born in Warren, r. I. HIS
father, Rev. Luther Baker, was for 40
years pastor of the First Baptist church
OF Providence.
The Baker homestead was the first
house built in Warren, and his ances-
tors we're among the earliest settlers of
Rhode leland
The Baker wharf, built at the foot OF
Baker street, Warren, included the Mas
sasoit s7ring and the site of the former
residence Of the famous Indian chief,
Massssoit
Colonel Baker left New York city on
the ship Oregon. and landed in San
Diego March 20. 1919. proceeding thence
overland to San Francisco, where he en-
gagged in business with Joseph and
George Lewis Cooke, under the firm
lame of Cooke, Baker & Co.
He then engaged in sacramento river
transportation with general store and
warehouse in Msrysyiie. In 1852 he
sold out his business and engaged in
mining in Sierra unity. A few years
later ne went to Fort Tel IN in company
with Gen. E. f. Beale and engaged in
the cattle and sheep business. This en-
terprise was the foundation of his for
tuna. In 1874 he married the widow
OF Don Abel Stearns, daughter of Juan
Bandini, who was half owner at one
time of nearly the whole OF Southern
California.
The fret building erected by Colonel
Baker in San Francisco in 1849 was
6nlppeu IN eeCtlnEe Dy sailing vessel,
and cost in New York city $3.50, from
which he realized rental of $4,000 per
aunum.
Colonel Baker at one time time owned
the San Vicente ranch, which includes
the site of Santa Monica, and his inter.
ests there at present are verv large.
One OF the most public spirited acts o
his later years was the donation, in
connection with Senator Jones, of 800
acres of land to secure the location of
the Santa Monica branch soldiers home
in this part Of the state.
Colonel Baker was Republican in
politics, but never took an active part in
political life, although he had deep
interest in all public questions. His
life WAS that of business man, and he
was known as careful and capable man
of affairs all over the state.
The funeral has been arranged to take
place Tuesday morning at 10 O'Clock
from the Catholic cathedral he having
embraced the Catholic faith few years
since.
Angosture Bit'ers cures collie, fever and ague
and Indigestion. The genuine manufA Lured