Lewis Baker (politician)

Lewis Baker (November 11, 1832 – April 30, 1899) was the Democratic President of the West Virginia Senate from Ohio County and served from 1871 to 1872.

For the New York policeman and "slugger" employed by Tammany Hall, see Lew Baker.
Lewis Baker
4th President of the
West Virginia Senate
In office
1871–1872
Preceded byDaniel D. T. Farnsworth
Succeeded byCarlos A. Sperry
United States Minister to Costa Rica
In office
May 20, 1893 – December 9, 1897
PresidentGrover Cleveland
Preceded byRichard Cutts Shannon
Succeeded byWilliam L. Merry
United States Minister to El Salvador
In office
May 20, 1893 – December 9, 1897
PresidentGrover Cleveland
Preceded byRichard Cutts Shannon
Succeeded byWilliam L. Merry
United States Minister to Nicaragua
In office
May 13, 1893 – December 9, 1897
PresidentGrover Cleveland
Preceded byRichard Cutts Shannon
Succeeded byWilliam L. Merry
Personal details
Born(1832-11-11)November 11, 1832
Belmont County, Ohio
DiedApril 30, 1899(1899-04-30) (aged 66)
Washington, D. C.
Resting placeGreenwood Cemetery
Wheeling, West Virginia
40.0617°N 80.6794°W / 40.0617; -80.6794
NationalityAmerican
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Ruth Amanda Fordyce
OccupationJournalist

Lewis Baker was born in Belmont County, Ohio, in 1832.[1] In the 1850 US Federal Census, he is listed as an apprentice printer in Perry Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio. He was admitted to practice law in Ohio.[1] He declined the Democratic Party nomination to congress in his twenty fifth year.[1]

Just before the 1860 census, he married Ruth Amanda Fordyce, daughter of John Fordyce and Ruth Greg. Ruth was born August 12, 1842 in Ohio. In 1860, Lewis and Ruth were living in Cambridge in Guernsey County, Ohio. Lewis' occupation was listed as editor and publisher.

By 1870, Lewis and Ruth were living in Ohio County, West Virginia with their children John, Mary, Harry, Anna, and Jennie. Harry was born in West Virginia in 1865, dating the family's move. Lewis' occupation was listed as journalist.

On June 20, 1863, West Virginia became the 35th state in the Union. The Wheeling Custom House served as the first state house. Lewis Baker served as a state senator from 1871 to 1872. He was elected president of the Senate on January 17, 1871.

On February 1, 1885 Lewis purchased the St. Paul Globe and moved his family to Minnesota.

In 1893 Baker was appointed as the United States Minister to Nicaragua, Costa Rica and El Salvador. He sailed from New York aboard the ship Costa Rico on April 29, 1893 with his daughters Anne and Virginia. They arrived in Managua on May 12, 1893 in the midst of a revolution.

Baker died in 1899 of anemia[2] and was buried with his wife in Greenwood Cemetery in Wheeling, West Virginia.

References
  1. Herringshaw, Thomas William, ed. (1901). Herringshaw's encyclopedia of American biography of the nineteenth century. Chicago: American Publisher's Association. p. 70.
  2. "Lewis Baker is Dead", Racine Daily Journal, Monday, May 01, 1899, Racine, Wisconsin, United States Of America
West Virginia Senate
Preceded by
Daniel D. T. Farnsworth		 President
1871–1872		 Succeeded by
Carlos A. Sperry
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by
Richard Cutts Shannon		 United States Minister to Nicaragua
May 13, 1893–December 9, 1897		 Succeeded by
William L. Merry
United States Minister to El Salvador
May 20, 1893–December 9, 1897
United States Minister to Costa Rica
May 20, 1893–December 9, 1897
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