The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1899-05-03
A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.

from which he did not rally.
A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE
Lewis Baker was born November I,
1882, in Belmont county, Ohio. His
early education was such as could be
acquired in the country school OF the
period, and at the age of twelve he be-
gan work in country newspaper
office and learned the trade of COM
position. Incident to this he also ac-
quired general and practical knowl-
edge of all departments of printing,
and at intervals, later on, he tried his
hand at reporting and in editorial
work, with marked success. He was
industrious and ambitious, and made
his way rapidly to the front. Before
the outbreak of the war he owned and
edited various Ohio newspapers,
among them the Woodstield Demo-
crat, Cambridge Jeffersonian and the
Ohio State Jotunal, atColumbus, be-
ing associated with the late Hon. S.
S. Cox in the conduct of the last
named journal. He was active in
Ohio politics, serving as member of
the State Democratic committee for
several years.
La the first part OF 1868, in looking
about for IN enlarged field for enter
prise and usefulness, he fixed upon
Wheeling and arrived there in the
early summer of 1863, with limited
amount of capital, but with determ-
nation to embark in the business of
publishing Democratic newspaper in
city where Democrats were few and
far between. and where those few
could scarcely say their souls were
their own. The war was at its
height, public feeling ran strong, and
the city was virtually under martial
law, although the forms of civil gov
eminent were observed 1t was a
most unpromising field, and particu-
larly for stranger. Thenceforth for
more than twenty years his home and
work were in Wheeling
After consultation with Democratic
| leaders and number of prominent
citizens, Mr.. Baker determined to go
ahead with his enterprise, and the
| l.
chased from Col. Henry Moore, such
arrangements and additions were
made as slender capital permitted,
and on the 9th day OF July, 1863. the
first number of the Register was
issued by Nj. Baker, the office being
! located on the east side of Market
street, three doors south of the corner
of Eleventh.
| Under Mr.. Bakers direction the pa
per took vigorous stand for Demo-
cratic principles and policies, and this
early led to trouble. On the 9th of
July, 1864, Mr.. Bakers paper contain
ed some severe comments upon the
failure of General Hunters Lynch
burg raid, and by command of the
General named, Mr. Baker and his
editor, Mr.. o. S. Long, who had six
months before become connected with
the paper, were arrested and consign-
ed to the Athenaum military prison,
at Market and Sixteenth streets,
where they remained for two months,
and were afterwards Joined by num-
Der of prominent Democratic citizens.
Messrs. Baker and Long were finally
released by command of General Sher-
idan, only to find the Register Office a
virtual wreck, and it was not until
late in September that the issue OF
the paper could be resumed.
Necessarily largely and actively inter.
ested in politics, not only locally, but
throughout the State, Mr. Baker from
the combined effects of his editorial
position aud his energy, became one
of the leaders of the West Virginia
Democracy, and exercised wide in.
fluence, through his party, upon State
affairs. He was delegate to nearly
every National Democratic convention
from 1860 to 1892. He was chairman
of the Democratic State Committee in
West Virginia for twelve or flfteer
years, and member of the Nationa
Committee for four years. In 1871 he
was the Senatorial candidate of the
Democracy in the First district and
was elected, and when the Legislature
met he was chosen to the Presidency
of the Senate. Subsequently he was
re elected. His vast experience il
political matters made his advice
widely sought, and his activity an6
tenacity of purpose made him botf
friends and enemies.
When he disposed of his interest il
the Register, Mr.. Baker looked over 9
number of newspaper fields largel
than that afforded here In Wheeling
and finally after considerable hesita
tion, elected to go to ST. Paul in 1885
4 where he took charge of the Daily
Globe, became it's controlling influence
and made it power in the politica
and commercial development of thu
i Northwest until 1898, when he wa.
appointed minister to Nicaragua
Costa Rica and Salvador by President
Cleveland. Mr.. Baker was chairman
of the Minnesota State Democratic
Committee in the campaign of 1892
and in 1896 he was the unanimous
choice of the Democratic member o.
the Legislature for the United State.
Senate. He served his country faith
fully as minister in the troublesome
countries of Central America from
1893 to 1898. Upon being relieved
he went to Washington City, and moi
many months ago took editorial charge
of the Charleston Daily Gazette, IL
his old State. Failing health, how
ever compelled an early relinQuish-
ment of these duties and Mr.. Baker
returned to Washington a very sick
man. Later having recovered some
what he went to Old Point Comfort
IL L. n. T.. - q