Bibliography: Herringshaw, Thomas William. Herringshaw's Encyclopedia of American Biography of the Nineteenth Century, Chicago, IL:American Publishers' Association, 1902. page 70 BAKER, PHILIP PONTIUS, state senator, was born Jan. 14, 1846, in Cowan, Pa. In 1869 he moved to Vineland, N. J., where, under the firm name of Baker Bros., they built up an extensive trade in the business of general merchandising. In 1881 he was elected to the assembly, and 1886 was a member of the New Jersey senate. He was one of the founders and president of the Tradesman bank, and one of the leading spirits in the development of Sea Isle City, N. J.