Bio of Baker, Benjamin Franklin (b.1842) Wabasha Co., MN
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Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Barbara Timm and Carol Judge
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This bio comes from "HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY" 1884.
Check out Barbara's site for more great information on this book:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~mnwabbio/wab1.htm
There are also some pictures and information from descendents for some 
of the bios on her pages.

Baker, Benjamin Franklin, (page 1334), veterinary surgeon, Elgin, was born 
in Kirkland, Oneida county, New York, November 5, 1842. His parents - 
James and Anna Baker- were natives of England, County Kent, and emigrated 
to America in 1820. For many years the elder Baker engaged in mercantile 
business in Philadelphia, and during the War of the Rebellion was occupied 
in supplying horses to the government for cavalry and artillery purposes. 
In 1859 he settled in Walworth, Wisconsin, and in Elgin in 1869. The 
subject of this sketch was educated in an academy at Whitesborough, Oneida 
county. In August, 1861, he entered Company F, First Wisconsin Cavalry, 
and served one year. He re-enlisted as a veteran in 1862, in Company C, 
Twenty-eighth Wisconsin Volunteers. His service was in the western 
department of the Union army, and he was an actor in the battles of 
Helena, Arkansas, Columbus, Kentucky, Vicksburg, Mobile Bay, Capture of 
Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Little Rock, Red River Expedition and battle at 
Shreveport, Fort Donelson, Pensacola, Forts Morgan and Gaines, besides 
numerous smaller engagements. He was mustered out at Brownsville, Texas, 
in October, 1865. For three years he served under detail as veterinary 
surgeon, and has since made that profession his chief occupation. He 
settled at Elgin in 1869, and has since permanently dwelt here. February 
22, 1871, he was united in marriage with Miss Jeannette Featherstone, who 
was born in Walworth, Wis., and is nine years her husband's junior. Two 
children have been given to this couple, born and christened as follows: 
July 29, 1872, Nora; May 20, 1876, Merton. In religious views Mr. Baker is 
quite liberal. He is a thorough Republican in political opinion. In the 
spring of 1884 he was elected assessor over the caucus nominee. He is now 
doing a lucrative and successful business in the practice of his 
profession and is among the progressive citizens of the tornado-scourged 
town.