My Genealogy Hound

CAPT. WADE BAKER, a successful farmer and stock raiser, was born in Smith County, Tenn., January 30, 1824, and is one of a family of two children born to John E. and Elizabeth (Benshy) Baker. The father was of German lineage and a native of Virginia, born January 8, 1781. He was a farmer and stock raiser by occupation. He was in the war of 1812 and participated in the battle of New Orleans. January 8, 1822, he was married. At the time of his death, which occurred October 23, 1866, he owned a considerable amount of property, both personal and real. The mother was born February 2, 1804, in Smith County, and died September 9, 1829. Our subject was reared in Wilson County and received his education in the country schools. In 1850 he commenced farming for himself, and in the space of ten years had accumulated a considerable amount of property. During the late war he enlisted in the Confederate service, and in 1861 was made captain of Company F, Twenty-eighth Tennessee. He was in the battles of Fishing Creek and Shiloh. August 19, 1862, he returned home and married Mary E. Hudleston, a native of Tennessee, born March 27, 1843, and the daughter of William W. and Mary Hudleston. Capt. Baker continued to till the soil and in 1870 he engaged in merchandising in connection with farming, which he continued for eight years. He then retired to his farm where he now lives, enjoying good health, with his wife and three children, named Lee, John E. and Wade. The Captain is a Democrat and a member of the Christian Church. He has been postmaster at Rural Hill for ten years. Mrs. Baker is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.