Nansemond County-Suffolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Baker, Alex H., 1928 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm ************************************************ Death Ends Long Career Of Alex H. Baker, Prominent In Life Of This Community Former Sheriff of Nansemond County, Sergeant and Chief of Police of the City of Suffolk and Associated With Business and Social Affairs, Dies After Long Illness; Funeral Service Tomorrow. Alex H. Baker, former City Sergeant and Chief at Police of the City of Suffolk and ex-Sheriff of Nansemomd County, died last night at 7:30 o'clock at his residence, 113 S. Broad street, following complications growing out of heart trouble. He had been in failing health for some time but the news of his death was a distinct shock to his many friends in Suffolk. He was 70 years old. Mr. Baker, who was the son of the late General Lawrence [sic; Laurence] S. and Elizabeth Henderson Baker, of North Carolina, was widely known throughout this section of the state due to his varied activities in political and civic fields. His association with the law enforcement agencies of this locality were long and honorable and many were the tributes paid him this morning by those who heard with deep regret of his passing. On December 20, 1857, at Fort Stanton, New Mexico, Mr. Baker was born. As his father was an army officer he traveled much in his early years. He came to Suffolk about 1878. His first position in Suffolk was that of assistant agent of the Seaboard Air Line railroad. A few years later he became sheriff of Nansemond county, a position that he filled with much credit for more than a quarter of a century. He was married to Miss Mary C. Phillips, daughter of Dr. Edward C. Phillips and Mary M. Riddick, in 1882. Mrs. Baker survives him as well as one brother, Stuart Baker, one sister, Mrs. Fred Hubbell, of Baltimore, and a number of relatives in North Carolina. Active part was taken by Mr. Baker in the work of St. Paul's Episcopal Church of he was a member. He was also a member of the Knights of Pythias. Of recent years Mr. Baker's health had been very poor and it was due to this cause that he retired from the position of city sergeant and police chief to which he was elected when Suffolk became a city after having served as sheriff of the county. He was taken to a local hospital some weeks ago and was but a few days ago removed to his home. He was about holding his own when on yesterday he became worse and was soon in a dying state, passing away last night at 7:30 o'clock with his wife, who had been faithful to him through his long illness, at his bedside. When Mr. Baker retired from office as sheriff of Nansemond county some years ago, a touching scene took place as the late Judge R.H. Rawles arose and offered resolutions which were a distinct credit to the official who was leaving a position of trust with the county and was soon to take one with the city. Commonwealth's Attorney S.E. Everett also paid a tribute to Mr. Baker on this occasion as did Judge J.L. McLemore. Not only were the court resolutions passed but there were others by the Board of Supervisors equally as hearty in praise of his merit. [remainder not correctable; edge of page stained] Funeral services for Mr. Baker will be held tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 o'clock with the Rev. Herbert N. Tucker, rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, conducting the services. Interment will be in Cedar Hill cemetery. The pallbearers for Mr. Baker will be as follows: Active, Frank Holladay, Wescott Henley Churn, Bob [...] Baker, Jr., Bentley Parker, [...] land and G.E. Bunting. Honorary, J.H. Corbitt, B.D. [...] man, E.E. Holland, [...] Diamond Gwynn, M.O. Spencer, [...] Dalton, C.B. Godwin, Sr., and [C.B.] Godwin, Jr., John Lee, J.C. [...] Harvey Holland, J.J. Branch, [...] Harvey Holland, J.E.B. Holladay, [...] Norfleet, Connie Pierce, A.J. [...] K. Kendrick, Drs. J.E., Lewis [and] David Rawls, Dr. D.L. Harrell, [Dr.] William Gay, Dr. O.R. Yates, [...] P. Whedbee, Charles Hutchins, [...] E. West, J.T. Withers, R.J. [...] Pembroke Baker, C.F. McKay and Ben Everett, of Talmyra, N.C. ****************************************************************************** Many Present Today At Baker Funeral Funeral services for Alex H. Baker, prominent political and civic figure of the county and city who died at his home on South Broad street Wednesday night, are being held this afternoon at the residence. They are being conducted by the Rev. H.N. Tucker, rector of St. Paul's Episcopal church. Many floral tributes have been sent by friends and in the pallbearers are included many friends of Mr. Baker. Interment is to be in Cedar Hill cemetery. "Alex" Alexander Henderson BAKER, former Nansemond Co. sheriff, retired Suffolk city sergeant & chief of police, b. 20 Dec 1857*, Ft. Stanton, NM*, d. 11 Jul 1928, at home, Suffolk, interred in Cedar Hill Cemetery*, Suffolk, 13 Jul 1928, "Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol. 6, No. 96, Thurs., July 12, 1928, pp. 1 & 2; "Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol. 6, No. 97, Fri., July 13, 1928, p. 2 *Additional information: Cedar Hill list, an extension of the Southampton County Historical Society {SCHS} Cemetery Project: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/nansemond/cemeteries/cedar_a.txt Photos of his gravestone - added by Jake Dog & Allison Stec Bell - are posted with Find a Grave Memorial #59733230. His parents are also buried there. D.Cert. 16464 (Suffolk #214) gives b. 22 Dec 1857. His m.rec. (3 Aug 1882, Isle of Wight Co.) gives b. Santa Fe, NM. His wife's obits ("Suffolk News-Herald" & "Tidewater Trail," Oct. 5, 1944) are posted at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/nansemond/obits/b260m2ob.txt His father was a Confederate veteran, having commanded the 1st NC Cavalry before promotion to Brigadier General. His obits ("Virginian-Pilot" & "Norfolk Landmark," Apr. 1907) are posted at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/nansemond/obits/b260l1ob.txt Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by File Manager Matt Harris (zoobug64@aol.com). file at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/nansemond/obits/b260a2ob.txt