"JAMES A. BAKER, a contractor and brick mason of Mt. Sterling, has made his home in this locality for more than a third of a century. He was born in Albany, N.Y., July 22, 1837, and is a son of a John and Sarah (Presgrave) Baker.  His parents were both natives of Lincolnshire, England, where their marriage was celebrated. With five of their children, they emigrated to America in 1835, locating in Albany, where the family circle was increased by the birth of our subject and two daughters.  Mr. Baker followed his trade of brick-laying in Albany for about ten years and then removed to Seneca, N.Y., where he spent his last days.

At the age of fifteen, our subject began to learn the mason's trade with his father, with whom he worked for four years. He then went to Warrensburg, N.Y., where he secured employment and engaged in brick-laying in various places in the Empire State.  In 1859, he came to Ohio, where he began working on a farm, being thus employed for three summers.  The Civil War was then in progress and on the 13^th of August, 1862, he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio Infantry, and before the regiment was ordered South, he was married, on the 12^th of September, to Miss Emeline Puckett, of Mt. Sterling.  Bidding good-bye to his young bride, he marched to the front and participated in the battles of Chickamauga, Peach Tree Creek, Kenesaw Mountain, Franklin and others.  In June, 1864, he was transferred to Company C, First United States Regiment of Engineers, and was engaged in repairing bridges and other such work. He was never wounded or taken prisoner and was honorably discharged, September 26, 1865, in Nashville, Tenn.

Mr. Baker then returned home to his wife, who in the interval had resided in Mt. Sterling.  She was born in Pickaway County, July 7, 1842, and is a daughter of James K. and Mary (Elmore) Puckett, who resided upon a farm in Pickaway County.  Unto Mr. and Mrs. Baker have been born four children.  Elva, born in Pleasant Township, Madison County, July 16, 1866, is the wife of Harry Terry, of Mt. Sterling, by whom she has three children; Marietta¹, born in Fayette County, December 27, 1868, is the wife of Barton² De Long, a molder of Mt. Sterling, and they have one child.  Ida Effie was born in Fayette County, August 26, 1871, and William A. was born in Mt. Sterling, December 22, 1873.

For three years after his return from the war, Mr. Baker engaged in operating a rented farm.  In 1870, he came to Mt. Sterling, purchased a home and began working at his trade.  He has since been a leading contractor of the city and has erected a number of the principal brick buildings in the place.  He is an excellent workman and the liberal patronage which he has received is well deserved.  He cast his first Presidential vote in Chattanooga in 1864, for George B. McClelland and has since supported the Democratic party.  Himself, wife and daughters are members of the Christian church and he has served as assistant Superintendent.  Mr. Baker is also a member of the Patriotic Order of Sons of America and a charter member of Bostwick Post No. 406, G.A.R. He has attended both the National Unions held in Columbus.  He is a public-spirited and progressive man true to every public and private duty."