Family Members Who Served in the Iowa Legislature:Brother: Nathan Baker; GA 3
Thomas Baker
Washington County
Born in Muskingum County, Ohio, in 1810, and was appointed colonel of a regiment militia when but nineteen years of age. He studied law and was admitted to the bar. In 1836 he came to the Black Hawk Purchase and made claim many miles beyond the nearest settlement in Slaughter County but was driven out by the Indians and his cabin burned. He returned to the claim in 1838. In August 1841, he was elected to the House of Fourth Legislative Assembly and reelected to the Sixth serving one extra and two regular sessions. He moved to Polk County in 1845 the following year and was elected to the Senate of the First General Assembly of the State from the district composed of the counties of Polk, Dallas, Jasper, and Marion. Upon the organization of the Senate Mr. Baker was chosen President becoming the first presiding officer of that body. He was a stanch Democrat and his party had a majority in the Senate, while the Whigs controlled the House. Party feeling was intense as the United States Senators were to be chosen. Neither party had a clear majority on joint ballot as there were several independent members. After one ballot without a choice the Senate refused to meet the House in convention and the session ended without electing Senators. During all of the bitter contest, Mr. Baker presided with such fairness as to win respect and confidence of every member of the Senate which gave him unanimous vote of approval just before adjournment. He was a Democratic candidate for judge of the Fifth District in 1849 but was defeated. In 1850, Mr. Baker removed to California where he served in the legislature and was for many years Receiver of the United States Lend Office. He died in November 1872.
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