San Francisco County
Biographies
ABIJAH BAKER
ABIJAH BAKER, an early settler of California, the builder
and proprietor of the Hotel Pleasanton, San Francisco, and a prominent
agriculturist of California, came to this State in 1853. He is so well known on
this coast that a biography of him is here presented without apology.
Mr.
Baker is a native of Livingston county, New
York, born April 21, 1821. His grandfather emigrated
from England to the United
States and settled at Taunton,
Massachusetts, where his father, David
Baker, was born and reared. David Baker married Elizabeth Clapp, also of
English ancestry, and soon after their marriage they removed to New
York, where they reared their family. Mrs. Baker
died, and the father afterward married a second wife. Of his fifteen children,
thirteen grew to maturity. Abijah Baker was the first
child born of the second marriage. He was reared on a farm and educated in the
public schools of his native State. When he became a man he removed to Indiana,
where he was engaged in the lumber, wood and stone business.
In
1852 Mr. Baker sold out and came to California, and in
the spring of the following year began farming at the Mission
near San Jose, on rented land.
Meeting with success, he soon had money enough to buy lands of his own, which
he did, and ere long became the possessor of 5,000 acres, a choice ranch, on
which he raised large quantities of wheat, barley and potatoes.
An
idea of the extent of his farming may be gained from the fact that at one time
his annual sale of hay in San Francisco
exceeded 3,000 tons. He also raised large quantities of grain, and to him belongs the credit of being the first man in California
to cut wheat for hay. Fortune followed his every undertaking, but in the midst
of his prosperity, his health failed, and he determined to travel. In 1867 he
went to Paris and attended the
exposition; took much pleasure in visiting the scenes of his childhood and the
old home of his father. He continued to travel for several years, visiting
every part of the globe, returning to California
only to look after his financial interests. This caused him several trips
across the continent. In time his health fully recovered, and he returned to
his ranch and made accessions to it. In 1879 he came to San
Francisco and invested in city property. On July 10,
1886, he began the erection of the Hotel Pleasanton, which was completed
September 1, 1887, at a cost of $200,000, exclusive of the lot. In is 84 x 137 feet, with a wing, 40 x 40 feet, and the whole
building is five stories besides basement and attic. It is located on the
corner of Jones and Sutter streets, and is elegantly furnished throughout with
every modern convenience. Mr. Baker has leased the property, but resides in
spacious apartments in it with his family.
Mr. Baker has been a Republican since the organization of
the party. He has not, however, been a politician, as his own extensive
business affairs have demanded and received his whole attention. He is a man of
sound business principles, honorable and upright in all his dealings,
and during his long residence on this coast has won many warm friends.
Transcribed
2-27-06 Marilyn R. Pankey.
Source: "The Bay of San Francisco," Vol. 2, Page 392-393, Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.
©
2006 Marilyn R. Pankey.
California Biography Project
San Francisco County
California Statewide
Golden Nugget Library