Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-06-30

pointment Ot the State superintendent of
schools and the Inauguration of the pres
ent school system. This bill passed and
with some amendment is still in opera
ton. In 1885, without any candidacy on
the House, in spite of the fact that the
Know Nothings" were then in power,
| and he was not a "Know Nothing This
| was done because the Speaker elected
| had no Legislative experience and Mr..
| Baker had served in the house either as
member or reporter for number of
years.
In 1856 without any solicitation on his
part, Mr.. Baker was appointed judge of
| probate by Gov. a. =. Morrill,. The same
! year the law was changed and the office
made elective. This Office he held and
| faithfully administered for 20 years, dur
! ing which time he revised the whole pro-
| bate laws. He was especially noted for
his Hberality in the matter of widows
Judge Bakers interests were so wide
and so unsellish, and he held so many
offices Of honor and trust, that it is diff
cult to speak Of him in all his relations
as a man and a citizen. He was inter-
ested in every movement to benefit either
the city or the State. ,HalloweH was
made city in 1852, and he was a mem
Der 81 the city government in some ca
paclty during IS years, after which ne de
clined further service. He audited the ac-
counts for town and city u wears with
out pay. He also held the office of city
solicitor for several years, and as such
represented the city in several important
l. In 1884, Judge Baker was elected a men,
Der of the HallOwen school committee
an office which he continued to hold for
"a years, during ali which time he was
actively identified with the educational
life of the town. Under his supervision
the schools were graded new schools
houses built. and the number of teachers
INCREASED. When the Statutes We're re-
Vlsed he prepared the revision of the
whole school law, which was adopted by
the commissioners without change He
attended many State and county conven-
lions and was an earnest advocate of all
measures to improve schools. In 1919 he
was member of the State board Of edu-
cation.
In 1854 Judge Baker procured a char
ter for the Hallowell Savings Institution
and was CHOSEN a treasurer an office
which he retained during his life. This
was one of the first savings banks estab-i
lished in. the State. and under his wise
and conservative management has al
ways sustained a high reputation. In adj
dition to other avocations, he held cons
mission as notary public for more than
30 years, was for time agent of the
Mutual INSURANCE. Co. and held a real
estate agency. He prepared an index for
the ''Federalist," when it was repub-
lished, revised several law books ana did
other work Of that kind.
Mr.. H1ker was one of the original in
corporators of the Hallowell Social
Library, and was constantly identified
With its interests. He presented the
bookcase and gave at different times
books to the amount of $500 or $500.
He was one of the founders Of the In
dustrial School and was for many years
a trustee of that Institution. One of the
buildings. Baker Hall, bears his name.
Judge Baker had never been a drinking
man, but in 1888, when the local temper
ance society in Hallowell was revived, he
became interested in the movement. and
continued to use his influence in favor of
abstinence from strong drinks as long as
he lived. In 1919 he was applied to by
citizens of Augusta to sit as Justice in
cases they wished to bring for illegal sale
of liquor. Out of 100 cases brought before
him he secured 70 convictions All these
cases were appealed, but when tried in
the higher court only one out Of % failed
ion at that time made the prosecution of
rumsellers extremely unpopular, and
Judge Baker was attacked by a man who
had been hired for that purpose, and pub
licly horsewhipped in the streets of Au-
gusta. Notwithstanding this attempt at
intimidation he continued to act in liquor
cases.
1t is difficult to speak of Judge Bakers
religious life as constituting any separate
element of his character. because MS re-
ligion entered into everything ne did. IN
early life he for several years attended
the Unitarian church, but he afterwards
changed his views, and in 1874 joined the
Methodist church. of which he remained
a useful and devoted member during the
rest Of his life. soon after joining the
church he was made class-leader, an
Office which he held for more than Az
years For the same length of time also
he conducted a Bible class in connection
with the Sunday School He was con-
slant attendant upon both Sunuay anu nv
whose Christian character and support
every pastor might unfailinEly rely, lib
eral giver. whose charities were many
and transformations. He emphatcally
obeyed the command to visit the widow
and fatherless in their affiiCtiOn, and to
keep himself unspotted from the world"
Withal he was no narrOW-mtnded- bigot,
but carried his clear common sense INTO
his religious belief as he did into every
department Of life.
In 1885. Judge Baker married Sarah NJ.
Lord of Hallowell. This marriage was
one of the most fortunate events of his
social and intellectual gifts. Her mind
was full Of vivacity and stimulus. She
| became the mother of IL children, seven
of whom, two sons and five daughters,
| are sin living. but her duties were never
so arduous as to prevent her from Keep
1 ing herself informed on current topics,
and entering fully and intielligentiy mt INTO
ldren. Although always modesf-''e<ppbllc
I her influence in the. moral aDS Ia
i life of the community WIS., 81 49, II
that of her husband M 1Kss1s III
Years of her married lifeJ " r.
self mainly to the csTx - ~ ~
llber children. but in Si1z ~ - 4ld
Mr. Baker made ma - II pr,
Joining Raymond ExctN%F = - fnt
localities and making S fys
through parts Of Mainyp I'M, a,s i .,,.,,. $w
trips to Europe after he was 70 years, OF
age
deafh.. Judge Baker slipped on the ice,
his a''hh ip. He had all his life been a man
i Of wonderful Eealth and vitality. Previ-
4 Gus to this accident he still remained hale
d and vigorous, notwithstanding his "
i years, going to his office every day to at
l Col