Senator Henry A. Baker View All Years

Compiled Historical Information
Date of Death: 10/22/1908
Birth Place: Crown Point, New York
Party Affiliation: Republican
Assemblies Served:
Senate: 19 (1882) - 20 (1884)
House: 17 (1878) - 18 (1880)
Home County: Winneshiek
Family Members Who Served in the Iowa Legislature: Father: William H. Baker; GA 9
Henry A. Baker
Winneshiek County

HON. HENRY A. BAKER

MR. SPEAKER—Your committee appointed to prepare and present suitable resolutions in commemoration of the life, character and public services of the Honorable Henry A. Baker, late a member of this House in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth, and of the Senate in the Nineteenth and Twentieth General Assemblies, respectfully submits the following:

Henry A. Baker, the eldest of six sons of Honorable William H. Baker, late a member of this House in the Ninth and Ninth Extra sessions of the General Assemblies of Iowa, was born in Crown Point, Essex county, New York, June 10, 1842, and died October 22, 1908, at his home in Sioux City, Iowa.

He came west with his father’s family in 1859, and with them settled on a farm, two miles south of Castalia, Winneshiek county, Iowa. In 1862, he entered college at Upper Iowa University, where he remained for two years, and in 1864 attended the Eastman Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York, and was duly graduated therefrom.

In March 1886, he was married to Eliza J. Webster of West Union, Iowa, and in the same year in connection with his brother, engaged in a general mercantile business in Ossian, Iowa, where he remained until 1887, when the firm sold out and he spent the next two years in Southern California. In 1892 he settled in Sioux City, Iowa, and established the manufacturing firm of H. A. Baker Co., with which he was actively identified up to the time of this death.

Such, in brief, is the record of his private life.

It takes no note, however, of the kindly, genial, companionable, lovable man as he appeared to his intimate friends or of his interest in and influence upon the larger affairs of public concern.

Always an ardent Republican, he was called to represent his county in the House of Representatives in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth General Assemblies, and immediately following, he represented his district in the Senate in the Nineteenth and Twentieth General Assemblies. In both of these positions, he discharged the duties imposed thereby faithfully, honorably and well. Those who knew him best, knew him to be the soul of honor and as a prince among his fellows.

His hand and heart were ever open to the plaint of the unfortunate, the weary and heavy laden, and the weight of his influence was always exerted in the uplift of society and its benefactions. He was ever prominently identified with every enterprise which promised to promote the welfare or to enlarge the happiness of his people. He was a man of ripe judgment and his mind was stored with the fruits of wide and varied study and this he brought into happy use in his daily walk and conversation and in connection with his work as a legislator.

His physical and mental stature were of large proportions and being endowed by inheritance with a rugged constitution, he gave promise of passing the three score and ten milestone of life by many years. But the arbiter of fate willed otherwise and we can but say “Thy will be done.” Now, therefore, be it

Resolved: That this House has learned with deep sorrow and regret of the death of the Honorable Henry A. Baker, and takes this occasion to testify to its appreciation of his unsullied character and moral worth, both as a citizen and legislator and hereby extends to his family its sincere sympathy in this their hour of sorrow and bereavement. Be it further

Resolved: That these resolutions be spread upon the Journal of the House, and that an engrossed copy duly authenticated be presented to the members of his family.

P. M. JEWELL,

W. S. HARDING,

W. LARRABEE JR.,

Committee.

Adopted February 16, 1909.

Sources:
Senate District 42
Committees
20th GA (1884)
Legislation Sponsored
20th GA (1884)