THOMAS BAKER. – Mr. Baker was born in Bullitt county, Kentucky, in 1832, being the son of George C. and Elizabeth Miller Baker. When he was eighteen months old his parents moved to Hancock county, Illinois. He remained in that country until the spring of 1852, being employed on his father’s farm. In the spring of this year, he started with his older brother across the plains to California, and arrived in the Golden State in August, 1852. For ten years he was actively engaged in mining, and was among the number who made the stampede to the Florence mines of Idaho. For one season he dug gold there, and for the succeeding two years in the Boise basin. Changing his business to that of packing from Umatilla Landing to the mines in Idaho, and afterwards on the route from Lewiston, he spent six years to good profit.
Coming to the more civilized portions of our state, he selected a home at Waitsburg, and for three years was engaged in the livery business. Subsequently he took the mail contract from Walla Walla to Pen d’Oreille Lake, a distance of 175 miles. His means of locomotion were ponies exclusively. The following year he leased the old Brown ferry on Snake river, and conducted this business until 1875, when he purchased an interest in the livery business of C.B. King, of Colfax’ and this is at present his business and means of livelihood. He also owns a farm of 240 acres adjoining the town of Colfax, and a fine property in the city. Mr. Baker is married and has two children. He is one of our citizens who adorns any society and business, and the record of whose life in these pages will always be referred to with interest.
