CHARLES W. BAKER

       Charles W. Baker is a well known representative of the legal fraternity in Sacramento, and is now serving as district attorney, having been elected to the office in 1898, for a term of four years. He was born in Newport, Kentucky, January 16, 1849.

       His father, Peter Berkman Baker, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and for many years was a minister of the German Methodist Episcopal church, but about twenty years ago he was injured while attending a picnic of his church and afterward retired to private life, his home now being in Germantown, Ohio.  His wife Eliza nee Zeller, was born in that place, and died there at the age of thirty-nine years. In their family were nine children, four of whom yet survive.

       Mr. Baker, of this review, spent his boyhood days in Kentucky and Ohio. He began his education in the schools of Louisville, in the former state, but with his parents removed to Germantown, where he continued his education until seventeen years of age, at which time he went to Dayton, Ohio.  There he learned the trade of carriage-painting, following that pursuit in the Buckeye state until 1877, when he came to California.  He has since been a resident of Sacramento, and for three years after his arrival, he was employed in the shops of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company.  In the meantime he had studied law, and in 1882 he was appointed clerk in the police court, under Judge Heney, filling that position until 1886.  In 1885 he was admitted to the bar, and in the following year was elected city justice, filling the office for two years in a capable manner.  On the expiration of that period he took up the private practice of law and his clientage steadily and constantly increased.  He has prepared his cases with thoroughness and exactness and fortified his position with every possible advantage afforded by the principles of jurisprudence.  He was enjoying a large practice, when, in 1898, he was elected district attorney for a four years’ term.  His arguments are forceful and his reasoning logical and convincing, and he has won many notable triumphs before court and jury. In politics he has always been a stalwart Republican since casting his first presidential vote for Grant in 1872.

       On the 2nd of April, 1877, Mr. Baker was united in marriage at Dayton, Ohio, to Miss Mary A. Hogan, who was born in Montgomery county, that state.  Four children graced their union, but one, Anna I., died at the age of four years.  Those living are Alice K., Charles DeWitt, and Ethel E.

       Socially Mr. Baker is connected with the Odd Fellows order and has filled various offices in both branches of the fraternity, and has been the chairman of the committee on legislation appointed by the grand lodge.  He is a valued representative of Union Lodge, No. 21, A. O. U. W., and of the Royal Arcanum.  Of his future, professionally and politically, there can be no doubt.  His talents and character insure for him a prominence and usefulness that will be gratifying to his friends and will be a satisfaction to any ambition that he may have.  In all the relations of life he has shown a high degree of manliness and in the official position that he is occupying he has manifested a degree of ability and fidelity that has won him universal commendation.  It is remarked on every hand that the business of the district attorney's office--always important and often complicated--under his management has been conducted with good judgment, tact and economy.