. R. Baker, justice of the peace, possesses several valuable heirlooms handed down from his distinguished ancestor, Sir Samuel Baker, who came to America in 1632. Born in Massachusetts in 1848, Mr. Baker commenced a varied business career, at the age of 14, by going to sea in government service carrying supplies by sailing vessel, to the south, during the Civil War. Later, he was for three years with the Providence Tool Company, engaged in the manufacture of arms for the Turkish government. His next employment was in charge of the credit department for the New England states of the Singer Manufacturing Company of Boston, on retiring from which he went west to Iowa.

At Walnut, Iowa, Mr. Baker engaged in a furnishing and boot and shoe business, but was burnt out with 14 others. Appointed postmaster, he resigned to become cashier of a bank at Neola, Iowa, and then returned to Boston to engage at first in a wholesale commission and fruit business, and later in real estate, insurance and loans, having charge of a rental agency which comprised some 500 tenants. Coming to California in 1892, Mr. Baker looked over all parts of the state and finally settled at Mentone, where he was elected justice of the peace three years ago. He was president of the Crafton School Board for three years and is now secretary of the Union High School Board. He was active in establishing the Congregational Church at Mentone and has been a deacon, trustee and the treasurer of that church wince its dedication. Mr. Baker was married in Boston, June 3, 1873, to Miss Annette I. Woodhouse, a native of New Hampshire.

(Source: Illustrated Redlands, 1897, p. 14.)