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BAKER, RICHARD, a veteran of the Civil War and for the past five years custodian in charge of the Chautauqua Society grounds at Mechanicsburg , Ill., is a native of Lincoln County, Ky., born April 9, 1833, a son of Henry and Sallie (Martin) Baker, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Georgia. The former was a farmer by occupation and in an early day moved from Tennessee to Kentucky. There he carried on farming many years, then removed to Vermillion County, Ill., where he again took up farming, and later located in Sangamon County. He died on a farm near Auburn. His father, John Baker, was a soldier of the War of 1812. Seven sons and three daughters were born to Henry Baker and wife, of whom four sons and one daughter now survive; namely: Richard; Thomas, a retired farmer residing at Buffalo, Ill.; John, living in the West; Perry, living near Jacksonville, and Mrs. Susan Marion, living on a farm near Jacksonville.

Richard Baker was a small child when the family came to Illinois and he received most of his education in Sangamon County. He worked for his father until he enlisted, from Mechanicsburg, in Company A, Seventy-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Smith, later serving under Captain Cross, now of Mechanicsburg. He was mustered out at Nashville, Tenn., June 12, 1865, having served nearly three years and taken part in twenty-three battles. At the battle of Chickamauga where several thousand men were slain in seven hours, Mr. Baker was wounded. He bore himself with credit to himself and company, and at the close of his service returned to Mechanicsburg and engaged in farming, which occupation he has since followed successfully, in connection with his duties at the Chautauqua grounds.

Mr. Baker was married, at Arcola, Ill., January 28, 1856, to Lucina Sanders, a native of Vigo County, Ind., her parents being early settlers of Coles County, Ill., and farmers by occupation. Mr. Baker and his wife had two children, both of whom died in infancy, and Mrs. Baker died in 1857. In October, 1866, Mr. Baker married (second) Mrs. Jane Sargent Rulliford, who was born in London, England, and to his union three children were born, all of whom are deceased, and the mother of these children died in 1870. In November, 1893, Mr. Baker married (third) Mary Bullock, born near Greencastle, Ind., whose parents are deceased, and no children were born of this union.

Mr. Baker is a substantial and much respected citizen of Mechanicsburg, where he owns some property. He is a member of the Christian Church and in politics is a Republican. He belongs to the G.A.R. Post at Buffalo. He is well known in his part of the county and has many friends. He well remembers the days when Lincoln lived in Springfield and often saw him before his election to the Presidency.