Colusa
County
Biographies
DANIEL O. BAKER
For the third time Daniel Oliver
Baker has filled the office of county auditor, and no higher testimonial of his
capable service can be given. An
incompetent man may be elected to office, but the good sense of the American
people does not permit of his retention in such a place, and when twice
re-elected by popular ballot it is an unmistakable indication that Mr. Baker’s
service has been creditable to himself and satisfactory to his constituents.
Mr. Baker was born in Linn County,
Missouri, March 28, 1855. In 1864 the
family went across the plains in wagons to Linn County, Oregon, where they
remained for four years. In 1868 they
removed to Colusa County, California. He
spent the first eighteen years of his life on his father’s farm, assisting in
the work of the fields from the time that he was old enough to guide a
plow. He became a resident of Colusa
County at the age of fourteen. A few
years later he accepted a clerkship in the town of Colusa, occupying that
position for three and a half years. At
the age of twenty he accepted another position in which he remained for two and
a half years, and later he returned to the farm upon which his brother and
family were living. In 1877 he served
for five months as a bookkeeper for a miller, and in the latter part of 1878 he
broke his leg, which prevented him from engaging in active business for a
time. In 1879 he went to Shasta County,
where he was employed on a ranch, and for six years he was in the service of
Mr. Peart, of Grand Island. In January,
1890, he went to Maxwell, where he engaged in clerking for three years, and in
the spring of 1892 he was made a candidate for county auditor of Colusa County
on the Democratic ticket. The elections
returns showed that he was a popular choice for that office, for he received a
majority of two hundred and fifty. On
the expiration of the term he was again nominated, and so acceptably had he
served that at the second election he received a majority of thirteen
hundred. In 1898 he was once more chosen
for the office, by a majority of four hundred, and is now filling the
position. He is quite prominent in
political circles and is a recognized leader in the rank of the party in the community.
While on Grand Island, Mr. Baker was
united in marriage on the 16th of November, 1881, to Miss Ada
Winship, who was born on a ranch at Grand Island and was eighteen years of age
at the time of her marriage. They now
have three children living, namely: Agnes V., Percy W. and Bernie. They also lost one child, who died at the age
of three months.
Mr. Baker is an active member of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is also a valued representative of the
Foresters and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His wife holds membership in the Christian
Church, and Deborah (Rebekah degree) Lodge, No. 7, and like her husband enjoys
the high regard of many friends. The family
possesses considerable musical ability which is highly appreciated in the church
choir. During the greater part of his
life Mr. Baker has resided in Colusa County and has always commanded the
respect of those with whom he is associated.
In his business dealings he has been honorable and straightforward and
in social life he possesses many qualities that render him popular and a
favorite among his friends.
Transcribed by
Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
“A Volume of Memoirs and Genealogy of Representative Citizens of Northern
California”, Pages 173-174. Chicago Standard Genealogical Publishing Co. 1901.
© 2010
Gerald Iaquinta.
Golden Nugget Library's Colusa County Biographies