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CHARLES A. BAKER,* well known as farmer and gardener, all over Blair
Township, Blair County, Pa., owns thirty-five acres of richly cultivated
land. He was born at Newry, Blair County, Pa., August 16, 1843, and is a son
of Andrew and Jane (Fraker) Baker.
     Andrew Baker was born in Bedford County, Pa., a son of Peter Baker, who
was an early settler in North Woodbury Township, Bedford County. Andrew Baker
was a gunsmith by trade and during a number of years conducted a shop at
Newry, where, with care, skill and patience he fashioned a certain kind of
muzzle-loading gun, greatly favored by hunters, and other fire arms made use
of at that time, and the completeness of which established his reputation all
over this section. He was a man of pronounced temperance views and a
consistent member of the Lutheran church.
     Charles A. Baker attended the public schools and also a private school
at Newry. When the Civil War was precipitated there was not only an immediate
necessity for the soldier with the gun but also an equally pressing one for
the men with the strength and skill to enter the construction corps and to
the latter Mr. Baker turned when he felt it his duty to enter into military
life. At first he was a member of the Army of the Potomac but later was
transferred to the Army of the Cumberland and served under Generals Halleck
and Thomas. He became a member of the construction corps in the fall of 1862
and was honorably discharged in October, 1865. Twice he fell into the not too
tender hands of the enemy, first near Murphreesboro, Tenn., and later at
Vaughn's Gap, but secured a release on both occasions and lived to return
safely to his home. A brother, the late Thomas J. Baker, of Blair Township,
was also in the service. Mr. Baker has devoted his farm to truck gardening
and for many years has sold his choice products to the residents of Altoona.
He is also the business agent for the Judge Gardner estate in Blair Township.
     In 1875, Mr. Baker was married to Miss Lovina Wilt, a native of Blair
Township, and a daughter of the late David Wilt, and they have had three
children, Ida May, Mary Blanche and Jane Alice, of whom Blanche is deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Baker attend the Lutheran church at Newry, Pa. Mr. Baker's farm
was entered from the Government by Abraham Sell, over 100 years ago, but the
larger part of the improving has been done by its present owner.