James Baker

James Baker was born in 1819. He was born on a farm in Kentucky. When he was small, his family moved to Indiana. He went to college in Indiana. He went to Iowa to become a lawyer. He was a lawyer there for many years. He did many important jobs in Iowa. In 1856 he was elected a District Attorney. He fought in the Civil War with the soldiers from Iowa. He fought in many battles. He became very sick and had to leave the army.

In December, 1863, he moved to Springfield, Missouri. He was an important lawyer here, too. He also was an important judge in the State of Missouri. The people in Springfield trusted him. They sent him to New York City to get money to help the railroad. He got the money. The railroad was started in1858. It finally came through Springfield in 1870. He was the lawyer, vice-president and president of the railroad. He even bought one! He is the only man in Missouri to actually own his own railroad! He made sure that people from Springfield could ride the railroad into Kansas.

Judge Baker built many buildings in Springfield. His most famous building was on the Square. It was called The Baker Block.

The Baker Block building had electricity and steam heat. It was the first building in Springfield with an elevator. The Baker Block was destroyed in a large fire in 1913.

Judge Baker was married three times. His first two wives died. He was the father of five children. He was a man known for his fairness. He died in Springfield in October 1910.

Author: Karen Girdler
Source: The Pictorial and Genealogical Record of Greene County, Missouri
Images, Courtesy of The Library Center, Springfield-Greene County Library
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