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Below is a family biography included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published by Biographical Publishing Co. in 1894.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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JAMES D. BAKER, Warden of the Southern Illinois Penitentiary, was born in New York City, March 16, 1854, and lived there until 1868, receiving his primary education in the schools of that city. His parents moved to St. Clair County, Ill., in 1868, and here he remained engaged in clerking and teaching school until 1874, when he engaged in the banking business at Lebanon, Ill. He followed that occupation continuously until January, 1894, when he withdrew from that line of business. During his residence in St. Clair County, he served as Township Treasurer, School Treasurer, County Treasurer and Mayor of Lebanon.

Our subject is a son of Daniel and Mary E. Baker, natives of Ireland, whose family comprised three sons and one daughter. The father is now a merchant in Indian Territory. On the 3d of August, 1879, Mr. Baker married Miss Ida B. Blanck, who was born in Lebanon, Ill., and is a daughter of Charles and Jennie E. Blanck.

In religious belief Mr. Baker is a member of the Methodist Church. Politically he is a strong Democrat, and in the deliberations of that party always takes a prominent part. His management of the penitentiary has been most successful, and his future field is a very promising one.

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This family biography is one of 679 biographies included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published in 1894.  View the complete description here: The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois

View additional Randolph County, Illinois family biographies here: Randolph County, Illinois Biographies

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