Pike County  Georgia Obits  Col. J.H. Baker

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Pike County Times-Journal
Zebulon, GA, Friday April 14, 1905

Burial of Col. J.H. Baker

A Brief Sketch of his Life

Col. John Harris Baker died at his home near Zebulon last
Friday after an illness of two months. He was taken sick
of pneumonia and partially recovered but the disease got
hold of him more strongly on the second attack and his
physicians and family had despaired of hope for his
recovery for some time previous to his death. All that
could be doe was done for him.

He was surrounded by his eight living children at his
death, their seniority being as follows: Mrs. M.V. Allen
of Zebulon; J.T. Baker of Zebulon; W.H. Baker of Griffin;
E.H. Baker of Zebulon; (Mrs. Lura Carreker of
Hollonville, being next in age, but dead) Mrs. C.P. Jones
of Hapeville; Mrs. D.M. Willis, of Molena; Mrs E.E.
Beckham of Jonesboro; and Mrs J.L. Wells of Atlanta.

His wife who was Miss Louise Trice, daughter of Rev.
Thos. C. Trice of this county, died in 1885.

Col. Baker was born in Warren County in 1824, being
nearly 81 years old at the time of his death. His parents
moved to this county when he was an infant and settled at
the place where I.W. Williamson now resides at
Williamson. After he grew to manhood, he settled near
Zebulon which was his home until his death.

Col. Baker was a veteran of two wars, having served with
distinction in the Mexican as well as the civil war. When
the civil war broke out he raised Co. A of the
Confederate Guards in Zebulon and was made its captain.
He soon became a major of the 18th Georgia Regiment, then
lieutenant colonel and later colonel of that famous
regiment. For the last nine months of the war, he was in
command of Gen. Evans old brigade, when Evans was
promoted to be a major general, and he had been chosen as
a brigadier general, but as no commissions were sent out
for several months previous to the close of the war, he
never received his as a general though he had been
selected as a brigadier and had been serving in that
capacity for several months.

He served several terms in the general assembly of
Georgia both as representative and senator, being
nominated each time without his solicitation and elected
without opposition. He made an able and conscientious
legislator.

The funeral services occurred at Zebulon Baptist church
Sunday morning at 10 o’clock. A large number of old
friends and comrades assembled to pay their last respects
to the memory of their old friend and brother. The church
building was more than full. Members of his old Co. and
Reg. from adjoining towns and counties came.

The services were conducted by Rev. C.M. Brittain, the
pastor of his church, assisted by Gen Clemant A. Evans.
After the funeral sermon by Rev. Mr. Brittain, a memorial
service was held and Gen. Evans in eloquent and touching
words attested to the courage and character of his old
friend. He paid a beautiful tribute to his record as a
soldier and a citizen, relating how kind, thoughtful and
considerate he was of his men, how respectful he was to
his superior officers in obeying orders and that while he
was on duty he was Col. Baker but when not he was John
Baker. Short talks were made by Judge E.F. Dupree, Dr.
J.B. Matthews and Mr. Reeves of Upson County.

His body was interred in the Baptist cemetery by the side
of his wife.

The numerous friends of his and his family extend sincere
sympathy.