MARTIN E. BAKER - James Baker the father of Martin E., was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, in the year 1788, a time so remote that the beautiful territory now comprising the great blue grass State, was little less than a hunting ground, and while George Washington was serving his first term as President of the United States. Nancy Squires, the chosen life companion of James Baker, and the mother of our subject, was born six years later, 1794, in Fauquier county, Virginia. Martin E. Baker is a native of Nicholas county, Kentucky, born January 27, 1820. He was but eight years of age when his parents brought him to Sangamon county, and 1828 was an early period in Sangamon's history. Mr. Baker's life was crowded until the years of manhood by the stirring events of the pioneer, but little time being given to mental drill in the schools. His education, however, was not entirely neglected, as we find him in 1850, in Christian county, teaching school, in which he must have been very successful as he was not allowed to decline an earnest request to teach the same school the following year. Mr. Baker was married March 4, 1852, to Mary C. S. Williams, of Springfield, Illinois. She was born in Montgomery county, Maryland, February 3, 1826, and came to Springfield in 1839. They settled on their present farm in Illiopolis township, in 1856, where all of their eight children (except one) were born. In 1856, Mr. B. was elected school trustee, which he held three years, when he was elected school director, serving nine years, and again elected trustee, which office he still holds, and is now president of the board. February 16, 1880, Mr. Baker was visited by a sad affliction in the death of his wife.