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P.H. Baker, a merchant and planter of Pike County, was born in De Soto
County, Miss., September 23, 1845, a son of Stephen P. and Nancy (Spence)
Baker, natives of Tennessee, born in 1815 and 1820, respectively. They had
four children: Patrick H., Martha A. (who married J.C. Richardson), Mary J.
(married A.M. Parmer) and Joseph A. (married Angeline Hughes). The father
was a farmer, miller and merchant by occupation, and emigrated from
Mississippi to Arkansas in 1856, locating in Columbia County, and in 1867
he removed to Pike County, where he resided until his death September 22,
1885. He was one of the early settlers of Pike County, was prominently
identified with its interests, and was a liberal contributor to its schools
and churches. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, Royal Arch, Amity
Lodge, in which he has held all the principal offices. He was justice of
the peace for a number of years. His wife is still living, enjoying good
health, and is an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The
immediate subject of this sketch was educated in Columbia County, Ark. In
1861, he entered the Confederate army, enlisting in Company G, Fortieth
Tennessee Regiment, under Gen. Walker. He was captured at New Madrid, and
taken to Springfield, Ill., where he remained for one year. He was
exchanged at Vicksburg, Miss., he was recaptured at Port Hudson, was
paroled to camp, returned home, and then reported to Gen. Kirby Smith. He
participated in the battle of Pleasant Hill, La., and then returned home,
resuming his agricultural pursuits. In 1866 he married Miss Mary S. Smith,
a native of Mississippi, and to this union have been born four children:
Stephen P., James M., Walter and Vergie. The latter two are twins. His wife
died in 1874, and October 7, 1875, Mr. Baker was again married, this time
wedding Miss Elizabeth J. McMillan, a native of South Carolina, who bore
him seven children: Robert J., Patrick H., William T., Franklin, Wallace
W., Samuel J. and De Witt T. Mr. Baker commenced his mercantile business in
1885, and now carries a stock of $5,000. In connection with this business
he is engaged in farming on an extensive scale, owning a farm of 300
acres, 200 of which are under an excellent state of cultivation; his farm
is well stocked. Both Mr. and Mrs. Baker are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South.
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Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Southern Arkansas, The Goodspeed
Publishing Company: Chicago, Nashville and St. Louis, 1890, Pike County,
page 314-315.
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Update 03.14.00 David Kelley 1997 BIO-0007.HTM