The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1921-09-08

was connected with the practice Of the
profession in Kenosha for more than
half century died at the home of
his son Normal L. Baker, a293 Summit
avenue, Milwaukee, just before nine
o'clock Monday evening. Death came
as result of an attack of heart dis
ease. Just a little while before the
final summons came Mr.. Baker had
been moving about his room and while
his condition had been feeble for some
time no warming had been given that
death was so near. Mr.. Baker was
the father of Judge Robert Verne Bak-
CIR of Kenosha. He was best known to
the members Of the bench and bar in
Kenosha county on account of his long
practice in the county but he had
reputation as an attorney which was
state wide. He retired from the ac-
tive practice of the profession in
1902 and since that time he had been
living a retired life with his children.
Was a Native of New York
Few men were more closely connect
ed with the development of Kenosha
county than Myron A. Baker. He was
a son Of Elisha Baker one of the first
settlers of Kenosha county. Mr.. Bak-
err was born in Owasco, Cayouga
county, New York August 26, 1887. The
father of Mr.. Baker came to Kenosha
in 1889 and settled on farm in the
town of Paris. He was man who
had a distinguished connection with
the military organizations of New York
state and he had been the Captain of
the famous New York Militia Com
pany known as the "New York Silver
Grays" The Baker family is one of
the oldest in the United States mem
bers of the family having served with
distinction in the war of the Ameri-
can revolution.
Educated in Kenosha.
Myron A. Baker was educated in the
District Schools of Kenosha county and
was one of the first students at the old
Kenosha High School. Later he emit
cred the University Of Wisconsin and
spent some time there preparing him
self for the practice of law He be-
gan reading law when he left the uni
versity giving a part of his time to
teaching. He was connected with
number of the best known of the pio-
neer attorneys of this section of Wis
consin in his early studies.
Distinguished as a Soldier.
Mr.. Baker had the distinction of be-
ing the first or one of the first of
the men of Kenosha county to offer
his services to the nation with the
breaking out of the Civil War. On
the same day that Fort Sumpter was
fired on Mr. Baker offered his ser
vices to the nation. 1t is declared in
historical references that Mr.. Baker
was the first man from Wisconsin to
volunteer his service for the army.
On the day Fort Sumpter was fired
on Mr., Baker in company with Levi
Rowland, another of Kenosha's most
distinguished soldiers started on horse
back to arouse the people of this sec
ton to the danger of secession and
civil war. He had enlisted for the
service and his personal appeal to his
friends brought many into the ranks
Of volunteers.
One of Mr.. Bakers eyes were defec-
sive and he had trouble securing a
place in the ranks of the volunteers
but he finally managed to have glass
eye made which permitted the recruit
lg official to overlook the defect
Wounded at Falling Waters.
He served for three months as
member of Company G First Wiscon-
sin Volunteer Infantry and received
gun shot wound at Falling Waters and
he was sent back to Kenosha as ane
of the first casualties of the Civil
War. He later sought to re-enter the
service and although barred from ac-
tual military service he gave all of his
time to patriotic work. He was adj
mitted to the bar in Kenosha county
in 1862 and for more than fifty years
was actively connected with the legal
profession in Kenosha. He was as
sociated with many of the attorneys
who had made the city famous in
legal circles, For twelve years he
served as District Attorney of Kenosha
County. He was named as a Court
Commissioner by Judge Lyon who af-
terward became Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court and he had the dis
tinction of serving as a Court Com
missioner under every sitting Circuit
Judge until the time off his retirement
in 1902. He heard many famous cases
as commissioner and as an Attorney
he was connected with many cases in
the courts of the state.
Leader of Republican Party.
For many years Mr.. Baker was one
e the leaders of the Republican party
Wisconsin. He was closely allied
III the organization of the progress
ye wing of the party and for the last
uty years of his life he had been
Of the most ardent supporters of
t wing of the party.
He was a man who took a great in
est in educational movements and
was prominent in the work of school
yelopment in Kenosha and in the
Ute.
He was married to Miss Rachel F.
crgess on July 2, 1868. Mrs. Baker
I'd October 2S, 1911.
Surviving are two sons Normal L.
aker, formerly superintendent of the
chools of Kenosha but now promin-
mt attorney in Milwaukee and Judge
robert Verne Baker Of the Kenosha
.ounty court, and four daughters Leone
Baker. talented musician of Mil