The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-03-02
IN MEMORIAM.


Joseph II. Baker, M. D., Tarboro.
Dr. Baker, the son of Dr.. VIM. s.
Baker, was born in Edgecombe county
on December 25th, 1881 and died at his
home in Tarboro on February 18th, 1902.
He was prepared to enter the Univer-
sity of North Carolina by teachers in
Tarboro. He remained two or three
years at the University, where he was
very popular and highly esteemed by all
the students, who knew him.
After leaving the University he be-
gan the study of medicine and after at
tending two courses of lectures in the
Medical Department of the University,
Of Pennsylvania he graduated in the
spring of 1854.
Immediately after graduating he set
tied in Tarboro and began the practice
of medicine, succeeding DR.. Joseph Law
renee, an old and honored physician of
that place. He has ever since, up to his
last Illness, been actively engaged in the
practice of his profession. He had q
large and extensive practice, including
many notable cases Of surgery and OBJ
stctrics.
He was the first surgeon in this coun-
try to diagnose and advocate an opera
ton upon, if not the removal of the kid
ney. He took his patient to some dis
tinguished surgeons in New York and
Philadelphia and each refused to oper-
ate and the patient died after very great
suffering.
In April, 1861, at the beginning of the
late Confederate war. he volunteered in
the Edgecombe Guards, afterwards Com
pany A, First North Carolina regiment
Of volunteers. (the Bethel regiment).
When the regiment was organized he
was appointed First Assistant Surgeon
of the regiment and commissioned on the
10th day of May, 1861.
The late DR.. ]. G. Hardy of AsheviLle,
was appointed. Second Assistant Surgeon
and commissioned on the same date. DR..
F. F.. Hines, of Craven county, was APP
pointed and commissioned Surgeon OF
the regiment on the same date. This
regiment left Raleigh on May 2lst. and
after two days in Richmond, Va, was
sent 10 Yorktown. In a few days after
arrival there, Surgeon Hines was de-
tached from the regiment and assigned
to duty in charge of the General Hos
geno in charge of the regiment with DR.
Hardy assistant. They discharged their
duty faithfully, skillfully and kindly.
, He returned home when the regiment
was dishanded in November, 1861, upon
the expiration of their time of enlist
ment. DR.. Baker suffered very much in
health while on duty below Yorktown
and it took him years to recover. There
was no truer Confederate soldier than
DR.. Baker. He was a member of the
Medical Society of North Carolina and
was elected president Of the society
twice.
He held many offices of trust and hon
or He was president or the County
Beard of Health. He had served as al
derman and was twice elected mayor of
his town. He was elected member of
the State Legislature in 1866 and in
1863 he was elected under the recon
struction acts a ielesate to the con-
| vcntion to form a constitution for the
State
soon after his majority he joined the
order of Odd Fellows He was elected
to various offices in the subordinate and
Grand Lodge and in 1870 was elected
Grand Master of the Grand Lodge in
North Carolina and afterwards Repre-
sentative to the Grand Lodge of the
| United States.
He has held the offices of director
and vice president of Banking and IN
surance, Of Building and Loan, and Agri-
cultural and Mechanical Associations
RE was a member of the American
Legion of Honor.
The various positions of honor which
nave been conferred upon DR.. Baker
serve TO show the esteem in which he
was held by those who knew him best
He had a kind, affectionate, loving
ana charitable heart; genial, attractive,
kindly disposition, which drew people to
him and made them like and respect
him.
tIe was very able and successful
physician and business man, doing good
and being useful to his fellow men dur
Ing all the days of his life
DrBaEer had been twice married: first
to Miss Susan A. daughter of VIM.
Foxhall, by whom he has four sons Iiv
ing; second time to Miss Ida Manly.
daughter of Governor Charles Manly oe
Raleigh, from which marriage he had a
daughter and son. He was a devoted
loving husband and father.
One who knew him all of his life SAYS
he never heard him indulge in profan
ity, nor has anyone been found who has
ever heard him use 3 profane or bias
phemous word or epithet."
He was laid to rest from Calvary
church, in its beautiful cemetery on
Thursday, February the 18th. where he
Will ever rest in peace.
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