NATHAN BAKER. – Mr. Baker is a native of Indiana, having been born in that state in 1837. When but a child of three years he accompanied his parents to Missouri. In 1849, he suffered the loss of his father, who died that year in California, whither he had gone to dig gold. In 1858, the young man went to Kansas, and, entering a tract of land, made that state his home for fourteen years. During this time he had been two years in the army, serving in the Fifth Kansas Cavalry, and a year in the Tenth Kansas Infantry. His term was during the latter part of the war.
In 1872 he came to Polk county, Oregon, and a year later selected a home in the beautiful Indian valley in Union county, Near Elgin. There he has thrived in his operations, and owns at present a farm of 560 acres inclosed with a fence, with a nice house and pleasant surroundings. The fertility of the soil may be inferred from the fact that fifty-two bushels of wheat per acre have been raised on this place. In 1863 Mr. Baker married Miss Aletha Hoffman of Kansas. Their seven children are all living except one; and they have also five grandchildren.