Biography of James H. P. Baker - Chariton County, Missouri JAMES H. P. BAKER, M. D. one of Chariton's most prominent and talented physicians and surgeons and a cultured and courteous gentleman, was born in Johnson Co., Mo., Feb. 18, 1837. W. C. Baker, his father, a native of Virginia and of English descent, was among the pioneer settlers of the state locating in Johnson County in l 831, where he engaged in agriculture until his death in June, 1861. Peter Baker, grandfather of our subject, was a Virginian by birth, and an active participant in the Indian wars and later in the war of 1812 He was an early settler of Tennessee, but after his son came to this state, he emigrated here and lived to be nearly one hundred years old. Nancy (McGinnis) Baker, mother of our subject and a native of Tennessee, was the daughter of John McGinnis, Protestant Orangeman of Ireland, who upon coming to America, located in Tennessee where he resided until his death. Mrs. Baker was the mother of six children, three boys and three girls, four of whom are now living. Her death occurred in 1863. Though his boyhood days were spent upon the farm, our subject enjoyed excellent school advantages, finishing his literary education at William Jewel College, Liberty, Mo., in 1860. Having, chosen the practice of medicine as his life's occupation, our subject began its study, reading under Drs. Dobbins & Goodwin, of Columbus, Johnson county, for several months, when he entered the St. Louis Medical College. In brief time he left college to join the Missouri State Militia under Jackson, in the late war. At the close he located in Salt Springs township, Randolph county, now known as Clifton Hill. Being unable financially, to continue his medical studies, he practiced until '67, when he entered the Rush Medical College at Chicago, from which he graduated in '68 with his degree of Doctor of Medicine. Returning to Clifton Hill, he resumed his practice, which rapidly increased until 1891, when he removed to Salisbury, Mo., since which time he has enjoyed a large and lucrative clientage. During his residence in Clifton Hill, Dr. Baker for eight years conducted a drug store, enjoying a satisfactory patronage, and also acquired and improved a fine farm of 250 acres near that town, which he operated with good results. On July 25, 1865, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Henderson, a worthy and exemplary lady and daughter of J. H. Henderson, a native of Virginia and an early settler of Missouri. This union was blessed with four children, namely, Arthur G., Jennie B., (now Mrs. Dr. H. D. Broaddus, of Gallatin, Mo.,) Wilfred L. and .Mary W. Socially, Dr. Baker is a member of the A. 0. U. W., of which he is Past Master Workman; also, a Past Master of the A. F. & A. M., and a Select Knight. Professionally, he is a member and ex-President of the Chariton Co. Med. Society, ex-President and Corresponding Secretary of the Moberly District Medical Society, Chairman of Executive committee of the North Missouri Medical Association, ex-President of the Randolph Medical Association, Visiting, Member of the K. C. Medical Association, Tri-State Medical Association, National Railway Surgeons Association, Western Society of Eye, Ear, Throat and Nose Surgeons, Local R. R. Surgeon for the western division of the Wabash R. R. and ex-Surgeon C. & A., ex-Chief Surgeon of General Hospital and Division Surgeon for Shelby's Hospital, Clarksville, Texas. Besides his degree the Doctor took a Post-Graduate Course in 1893 in the New York Polyclinic Hospital, and intends to take another course in the near future. Dr. Baker is Examiner for the Independent Order of Forresters, New York Life, Pennsylvania Mutual, Covenant Mutual and Nedderland Life Insurance Companies; also President Salisbury Board Of Health. " The career of our subject has been successful because he is evidently one of those fortunate physicians who are born not made." Very often his best medicine has been his presence, and many are the families in his long experience who have intrusted their troubles of mind as well as bodily ills to his tender care. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Willard Smith USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free genealogical information on the Internet, data may be freely used for personal research and by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for profit or any form of presentation, must obtain the written consent of the file submitter, or their legal representative, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------