Benton Co., AR - Biographies - Dr. C. F. Baker

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        Date: 20 Jun 1998
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SOURCE: History of Benton, Washington, Carroll, Madison, Crawford,
Franklin, and Sebastian Counties, Arkansas. Chicago: The Goodspeed 
Publishing Co., 1889.
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Dr. C. F. Baker, a successful practicing physician of Maysville, was born in Franklin Parish,
La., March 25, 1836, son of William and Sarah (Howe) Baker. William Baker was born either in
Maryland or Virginia, but no positive information has been obtained as to what State he was born
in. He was married in Virginia, and was also a practicing physician and a graduate of the
University of Philadelphia. After receiving his diploma he returned to Virginia, and there began
the practice of his profession. He continued there for a number of years, and then left for
Franklin Parish, in Louisiana, where he practiced for a number of years. He then began the
establishment of the Medical and Surgical Institute at Cincinnati, but had not completed the same
at the time of his death. After his death Mrs. Baker was instrumental in seeing it completed, the
State also taking an active part, making a large endowment, and when the work was completed Dr.
A. H. Baker was made president of the institution, and professor of surgery, which positions he
held until his death. Sarah (Howe) Baker was married in Virginia, also received a good education
and was an accomplished musician. She is now living in Franklin Parish, La., and is ninety-two
years of age. She was the mother of eight children, four now living. Dr. C. F. Baker was reared
principally in Franklin Parish. La., and was educated under private tuition until fourteen years
of age, when he went to Schenectady, N. Y., and there entered Union College or the University of
New York. He remained there as a student for about two years, and then went to Oxford, Ohio,
where he took a short course, after which he entered the Ohio Medical College and took one course
of lectures. From there he went to Indianapolis, where he attended the medical department of the
Asbury University, from which he graduated. He then went to Cincinnati and attended the Medical
and Surgical [p.807] Institute, where the degree of Doctor of Medicine was conferred at the
annual commencement of this institute, and afterward having the degree conferred by a regular
course of study. Dr. Baker, after finishing his medical studies, went with a number of gentlemen
to Fort Smith, and organized a company for the building of the Northwestern Border Railroad, but
on account of the breaking out of the war was never able to carry their plan into execution. He
then returned and enlisted in Company C, Third Louisiana Regiment, but remained with that company
but a short time, when, under the orders of Gen. McCullough, he started for the Indian Territory,
where he organized a company of Cherokee and white scouts, and rejoined Gen. McCullough in Benton
County, at Camp Walker. He was then transferred, and did duty for Gen. Price on Cow Spring
Prairie under special orders. After his duties as scout had been accomplished in Missouri, he
rejoined his regular command, marched to Fort Wilson Creek, and there participated in that bloody
battle. He then went to Lexington with Gen. Price again under special orders, being at the
capture of that city. He then returned to Springfield, and there went into winter quarters,
remaining only a short time, being forced to evacuate before Gen. Curtis' army. He then went down
and participated in the Pea Ridge battle, after which his army retreated to the Arkansas River
and continued on down south until they reached Memphis. Tenn., where they remained a short time.
From there they went to Corinth, Miss., and participated in that battle, thence to Tupelo. Dr.
Baker was then ordered back to Little Rock. from there to Fort Smith, and then joined Gen.
Raines. He then went to the Indian Territory, and was on general duty, after which he went to
Missouri, and then drifted into Louisiana, where he was on post duty at Alexander. He was paroled
at Shreveport. Dr. Baker then went to New Orleans, but returned home and subsequently went to
Mississippi, and afterward to St. Louis and then to Canada, being there during the Fenian
invasion, and was on military duty, He participated in the capture of Fort Erie, after which he
received orders from Gen. Barry to withdraw from the British territory. Dr. Baker then returned
to the United States, settled at Bentonville, but his professional work was after his location at
Maysville, which was in 1867. Since that time he has been thoroughly identified with his
profession. The Doctor is a member of the Masonic fraternity and is politically a people's man,
being now allied with the Union Labor party, but formerly being a strong Democrat, never having
voted any other ticket.