Springfield-Greene
County LibraryEarly and Recent History and Genealogical Records
of Many of the Representative Citizens
S. A. BAKER. It will always be a mark of distinction to have served the Union during the great Civil war between the states. The old soldier will receive attention no matter where he goes if he will but make himself known. And when he passes away, as so many of them are now doing, friends will pay him a suitable eulogy for the sacrifices he made a half century ago on the sanguinary fields of battle in the Southland or in the no less dreaded prison, fever camp or hospital. And ever afterward his descendants will revere his memory and take pride in recounting his services for his country in its hour of peril. One of the eligible citizens for special mention in the present volume is S. A. Baker, formerly a successful bricklayer and plasterer, but now engaged in the grocery business in Springfield, partly because he is one of the old soldiers who went forth in that great crisis in the sixties to assist in saving the union of states, and partly because he has led an honorable life. He is a plain, unassuming gentleman who has sought to do his duty in all the relations of life as he has seen and understood the right.
Mr. Baker was born in Washington county, Arkansas, June 10, 1844. He is a son of S. A. and Terice (Looper) Baker. The father was born in Massachusetts, in 1806, and was reared on historic Bunker Hill, Boston. His death occurred in Springfield, Missouri, December 24, 1863. The mother was born in North Carolina, December 9, 1823, and her death occurred on January 19, 1904. These parents received a limited education, came West when young and were married in Arkansas in 1843. S. A. Baker, grandfather of our subject, was born in Massachusetts, being of an old family of New England. His father was also S. A. Baker, and he was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, which fact made our subject eligible for membership in the organization of Sons of the American Revolution.
The father of our subject was a bricklayer by trade, also a plasterer. For some time he owned a farm in Arkansas, having been an early settler in Washington county. From there he removed with his family to Springfield, Missouri, during war times, 1863, and his death occurred soon thereafter. His son our subject, had come here the year previous. He was the only child.
The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch grew to manhood in Arkansas and there attended the common schools, receiving a fairly good education, for those times. He was compelled to leave school when the war broke out. In vacations he worked at surveying and in learning the bricklayer's and plasterer's trades under his father. He came to Springfield and enlisted, on September 4, 1862, in the First Arkansas Cavalry, Company L, under Capt. John Bonine, and he saw considerable hard service. He was in the battle of Fayetteville, in April, 1863, and three other engagements also the battle of Prairie Grove and numerous skirmishes, being in eight regular engagements in all. He proved to be a faithful soldier and was honorably discharged in Fayetteville on August 23, 1865. Remaining in Arkansas until the following January, he came to Springfield and worked at the bricklayer's trade, which he continued until nearly twelve years ago, having become quite proficient. He spent a number of years in the employ of the Ash Grove Lime Kiln works, building and repairing lime kilns. Owing to an accident which injured his eye, he was compelled to give up his trade, so he engaged in the grocery business at 635 West Chestnut street, and has remained in this stand since February 23, 1903. He has built up a very satisfactory trade, and carries an excellent line of staple and fancy groceries. He owns his place of business, as well as a fine brick borne adjoining.
Mr. Baker was married on February 26, 1900, in Greenfield, Missouri, to Myrtle Henry. She is the daughter of David and Martha Jane (Morris) Henry. She was born in Danville, Illinois, December 25, 1875. When she was a small child her parents moved with her to Kansas, where she received her education. They later moved to Greenfield, Missouri. Mrs. Baker is a member of the First Christian church here, and is also a member of the Ladies' Circle.
Politically, Mr. Baker is a Republican. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, also the Sons of the American Revolution as before indicated. He belongs to the First Christian church.
[1664-1666]
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