ORLISTUS R. BAKER was born in Prebble county, Ohio, June 30, 1832, and is the son of John Baker, native of Rockingham county, Virginia, born June 23, 1810. He moved with his parents to Prebble county, Ohio, in 1818, when but seven years of age. He married Mary A. Freemen, who was also a native of that county and daughter of Henry and Polly (Campbell) Freeman. The Bakers sprang from German ancestors, and were farmers, John Baker removed from Ohio to Sangamon county, November 22, 1837, where he remained until 1871. He then moved to Bates county, Missouri, where he died, September 12, 1880. His first wife's death occurred in Prebble county, Ohio. Orlistus R. Baker is the eldest of eight children; was reared on a farm, and educated in the schools of Sangamon county. He followed farming until 1869, when he was elected to the office of County Treasurer of Sangamon county, which office he held for two successive terms, and previous to that, being a member of the Board of Supervisors for eight years. May 29, 1854, Mr. Baker married Polly Ann Duncan, a native of this county, born August 1, 1835. She is the daughter of William T. H. Duncan, of Salisbury township, who was one of Sangamon county's early pioneers. Her mother's name was Eve Miller Duncan. Their family consists of eight children, Ann Louise, Charles B., Harriet M., John W., Carrie N., Minnie A., Eva B. and Orlistus R., who are living at the present time. In 1874, after retiring from the office of County Treasurer, he returned to his farm, where he remained until January, 1881, when he removed to the city of Springfield, where he engaged in the grocery business with his son-in-law, H. W. Sheiry, on the corner of Fifth and Wright streets, where they are doing a prosperous business.