Andrew Hart Baker

1. Burial: AUG 1903 Minnich Cemetery, Union, Montgomery Co., Ohio
2. Event: Politics Republican, Abolitionist
3. Occupation: Mercantile business
4. Religion: Liberal
5. Note:

   Andrew H. Baker , one of the early merchants of Phillipsburg and now among the most respected citizens of Clay township, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born on his father's farm in Randolph township, same county, March 25, 1821.

   Grandfather Backer, as the name was originally spelled, came from Pennsylvania about the year 1800 and entered a section of land in Randolph township, settling near the saw mill now owned by Henry Baker. The tract of that time was a dense forest, but Mr. Backer cleared up a fine farm from the wood. His wife bore the maiden name of Echelman and bore her husband five children, who were named Joh, Samuel, David, Henry and Andrew. The father of these children, however, did not live many years after reaching Ohio, and at his death divided his property equally among his children.

   David Baker, father of Andrew H. Baker, was a youth when brought to Ohio by his parents, and here attained his majority on the home farm. He married Salome Hart, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1797, and whose parents came to Ohio the same time with the Bakers--the Hart children being named William, Elizabeth, Rebecca and Salome, of whom Elizabeth and Rebecca were respectively married, in Ohio, to a Mr. Kessler and a Mr. Hazen. After his marriage, David Baker settled on his own farm of ? acres near the old homestead in Randolph Twp. , close to the county line. He died, however, at a comparatively early age, the father of three children-Lavina, Andrew H. and David. Mrs. Baker afterward married John Turner, to which union was born one child, Rebecca, who married James Ross.

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   Andrew H. Baker was educated in the pioneer schools of his early day and at the age of sixteen years began learning the cabinetmaker's trade in Salem, served three years, and then worked one year in Dayton, with R. J. Wagoner. But he did no long continue at his trade, as in 1842, at the age of twenty-one years, he engaged in mercantile business in Phillipsburg, which he found to be more to his taste and profit, and which he pursued for the long period of nearly fifty years, selling out in 1890, when he retired with a competency. In his career as a merchant, Mr. Baker formed several co-partnerships, viz: First, with John Fry, who was the earliest responsible merchant of Phillipsburg, the partnership lasting six years; next, with David Swank, four years; then with his own brother, Davide Baker, for several years. At one time the firm was composed of four members--Andrew H. and David Baker, Peter Smith and David Swank. These partners carried on a store in Phillipsburg and one at West Alexandria in Preble county, and did a large country trade until the dissolution of the firm. Andrew H. continued alone for some years in Phillipsburg, then admitted his son, Charles W., into partnership, but for the last few years of his mercantile life he was again alone. Although practically retired, Mr. Baker still owns a sawmill, over which he keeps a supervision.

   Andrew H. Baker was united in marriage March 29, 1842, in Phillipsburg, with Miss Hannah Thomas, who was born in that village January 3, 1825, a daughter of Dr. William and Mary (Cox) Thomas. Dr. William Thomas was a son of John Thomas, who came from South Carolina in the early part of the present century and settled in Clay township, where he entered a farm, on which he died at an advanced age, the father of four children--Isaiah, George, William and Nancy. Dr. William Thomas, father of Mrs. Baker, was a physician of note in Phillipsburg, but removed to and died in Indiana, the father of seven children--Hugh M., Micajah, Priscilla, Asenath, Nancy, Hannah and Sarah. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Baker has been blessed with the following children: Charles W., Granville, (died September 5, 1860), Dr. Edson R., David, William and Ella.

   In politics Andrew H. Baker was originally a democrat, but was a strong prohibitionist, and became one of the organizers of the republican party in his township. His was the only house in Phillipsburg, in the early days, that would give shelter to an abolitionist, but he adhered tenaciously to the cause until it at last became triumphant. He never sought public office, but as a matter of duty served nine years as justice of the peace. He was a strong Union man during the Civil war, and furnished two sons to the army--Charles and Granville--both of whom were in the three-years' service, were in the Atlanta campaign and followed Sherman to the sea. Mrs. Baker is a member of the Christian church, and Mr. Baker, a man of broad intelligence, is liberal in his religious views. He occupies a high position in the esteem of his fellow-citizens, and his influence is felt throughout the county in every movement designed to promote the public good.

   The above was taken from the Centennial Portrait and Biographical Record of The City of Dayton and of Montgomery County, Ohio, edited by Frank Conover and published by A. W. Bowen & Co., 1897, pages 1110-1112.