My Genealogy Hound

James M. Baker, one of the earliest settlers of Gibson County, Tenn., is a son of Leonard and Frances (Street) Baker, who were born in 1753 and 1762, respectively. Leonard Baker, after reaching man’s estate, served in the Revolutionary war seven years, and after its close went to Virginia, where he married Miss Street. Previous to this he had married a Miss Birthright, by whom he had three children. He was the father of eight children by his second wife. The father was a minister of the Missionary Baptist Church for many years. He was a tailor by trade, and, in connection with this, farmed. In 1818 the mother died, and five years later the father, too, passed away. They were worthy members of society and were industrious, frugal and highly respected by all. The father had three brothers, all of whom were Baptist ministers. James M. Baker, our subject, the only living member of the family, was born in Halifax County, Va., April 25, 1796, and at the age of seventeen began learning the tanner’s trade, and afterward made that his occupation until 1838, when he came to Tennessee and located in Gibson County. In 1825 he married Harriet W. Gillispie, by whom he had twelve children. The farms that now surround Bradford, Tenn., were covered with dense forests, and they had literally to hew their farm out of the wilderness. They succeeded admirably, and became the owners of 1 280 acres of land; the most of which has since been given to his children. Leonard C. Baker, their son, is one of the leading farmers of Gibson County. He was born in Halifax County, Va., November 10, 1833, and was reared on a farm. He came with his parents to Tennessee when five years old, and from the time he was fourteen years of age he made his own way in the world. He managed his father’s farm until 1854; then went to Texas and engaged in stock raising until the breaking out of the war. In 1861 he joined Capt. Joseph Caruther’s company of heavy artillery, and remained in the same about two years. He then joined Forrest’s command. He was elected captain but would not accept, but was commissioned first lieutenant, and held the position until the close of the war. He was in nineteen hard-fought battles, but was never wounded, and only taken prisoner once, and that at Vicksburg, where he was soon paroled. He returned home, and for about a year was engaged in merchandising. He then sold out and resumed farming. In 1869 he married Jane E. Goodman, who was born in 1842, and became the mother of nine children, seven living. Mr. Baker is a Democrat, the owner of 400 acres of land and a grocery at Bradford.