The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-07-03
Death Of Judge Baker.

Hon. Henry X. Baker Of Hallowell
died at his home, Saturday morning,
June Is, aged % years, months aud 26
days. His funeral took place in the
Hallowell Methodist Church, Monday
afternoon.
Henry Knox Baker was born IN Canaan
(now SkowhegAn) Dec. 2, 1906. His
father, Amos Baker, was a man who had
somewhat varied career. The Revolu-
tionary War broke out in his boyhood,
and he enlisted In the war when ne was
but IL years old and served seven years.
When the war ended ne was one of
Washington's Life Guards. His home
during the early years OF his life was in
New Hampshire, but after the death of
his first wife, he came TO Maine, where
he taught district schools and singing
schools. Here he married Betsey, daugh-
ter Of Samuel Weston, sister Of the wife
of Eleizer Coburn, and thus Judge Ba.
ker was cousin TO the brothers, Abner,
stephen, Philander, Samuel and Alopzo
Coburn and relative Of the great Yves
ton family, whose branches extend
through Somerset and part of Kenne-
bee counties. Henry X. Baker was the
first child born Of this marriage. When
he was boy of 10 years, his father,
who had re-enlisted in the army during
the War Of 1912, died suddenly in camp
near Buffalo, leaving his wife a widow
with four young children to support and
care for.
The family had to struggle hard for
support and were helped by his mother
brothers and by kind neighbors. When
| no w Oh 4 nj ha
to Hallowell to learn the printers trade
in the office Of Col. Masters. Here the
shy, quiet, country boy made few ac-
quaiDtances, but spent his leisure in bis
tavorite occupation of reading. At Il
years old, Mr.. Baker began to write for
the newspapers, contributing both prose
and verse. Before he was q years old
he had been employed for two years a;
editor Of the Hallowell Gszette. Wher
he came of age the Gazette was discon
tinued and he became editor Of the Amer
lean Advocate. AT the same time he
entered the law Office of Mr.. John Otii
as assistant. He continued his connec
ton with the Advocate for several years
In the meantime he had been prosecu
ting his law studies, and not finding the
printing business especially Jemunera
tive, he sold his interest in the Free
Press and in 1910 was admitted to the
bar, Two years later he was elected II
the Legislature, where he served for l:
years. In 1855 he was appointed Judge
of Probate for Kennebec county and act
ed in that capacity for more than quar-
ter of century. During his whole life
Judge Baker occupied prominent plac,
in financial and political circles in Hal
lowell.
For more than As years he was treas
urer of the Hallowell savings bank anC
for like period WAS leading spirit II
the management of the Hubbard Free
Library. He was connected with thu
city government for Is years. During
his life he wrote several books, dealing
for the most part with local history.
In 1885 Judge Baker married Sarah M
Lord of Hallowell. This marriage wal
one of the most fortunate events of hi
life. Mrs. Baker was woman of rart
social and intellectual gifts. Her mint
was full of vivacitv and stimulous. ShC
became the mother of eleven children
seven Of whom, two sons and fiv,
daughters, are still living, but her dutie
were never so arduous as to prevent he
from keeping herself informed on cur
rent topics ana entering fully and intel
ligently into all the interests of her hus
band and children. In April, 1898, afte
CD years Of happy married life, Mrs
Baker died, at the age of SO years.