Louisiana AHGP

Part of the American History and Genealogy Project

James T. Baker

James T. Baker is a gentleman who has rapidly and surely made his way to the front among the energetic business men of this community, and has built up a large business that is constantly on the increase.

His birth occurred in Chambers County, Louisiana, December 25, 1843, to Leroy and Mary (Cook) Baker, both of whom were Georgians. They were married in Alabama, and there followed farming up to 1856, when they moved to Louisiana, and opened up a farm in Claiborne Parish. Mr. Baker enlisted in the Twenty-fifth Louisiana Infantry, and served as sergeant until the close of the war, being killed at Spanish Fort after the surrender of Gen. Lee. His widow survived him a number of years, then she too passed away.

J. T. Baker is the eldest of their four sons and two daughters, and has been a resident of this parish since his thirteenth year. In 1861 the clash of arms caused him to cast aside personal considerations to espouse the Confederate cause, and served with the Twelfth Louisiana Infantry until the close of the war, being regimental musician. He was in the fight at Belmont, Missouri, Island No. 10, Fort Pillow, second Corinth, Bakers' Creek, and was in the Atlanta (Georgia), campaign under Gen. Johnston, afterward being with Hood at Franklin and Nashville, Tenn. His last engagement was at Benton, North Carolina., and he afterward surrendered and was paroled at Greensboro, North Carolina.

He returned to Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, and engaged in milling and lumbering, continuing up to 1880, when he changed his business and clerked in Athens for about three years. At the end of this time he purchased an interest in a mercantile establishment, but in 1885 began doing business alone, remaining at Old Athens up to 1887. He then built the store building where he now is, and put in a complete stock of general merchandise, and the trade which he has succeeded in obtaining is in every respect satisfactory. He increases his stock of goods from time to time, and now has one of the most complete general mercantile establishments in this section of the country.

His marriage, which took place December 5, 1869, was to Miss Victoria Marsalis, a Mississippian, reared and educated in this parish, and a daughter of P. Marsalis. To Mr. Baker and his wife live sous and four daughters have been born: Leon (a clerk in his father's store), Reese, Enos, Claude, Terrel, Jennie, Addie, Gertrude and Carrie Bell. Mr. Baker and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and he belongs to the Masonic order, and is junior deacon of his lodge. He is postmaster of Athens, having served since 1882.

Biographical Sketches| Claiborne Parish

Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana, Southern Publishing Company, 1890