Baker, Edward Dimick

The following data is extracted from Merrimack and Sullivan Counties, New Hampshire Biographies.

Edward Dimick Baker was an able advocate and lawyer of Claremont. He was born April 21, 1827, at Meriden, N.H., son of Dimick and Hannah (Colby) Baker. He was a descendant in a direct line from Joseph Baker, who was born April 13, 1678. Joseph's son, Hernon, by his wife, Abigail Bissel Baker, married Lois Gilbert, who had a son Oliver, a physician, who married Dorcus Dimick, and became the father of Dimick Baker.

Dimick Baker was born March 18, 1793, in Plainfield, N.H., where he resided throughout his life. He was a prosperous merchant and farmer, and one of the most influential men of the town. His wife, Hannah, had five children, namely: Elias, who died November 11, 1884; Hannah; Helen F.; Edward D.; and Cyrus E.

Having graduated from Kimball Union Academy at Meriden, Edward Dimick Baker at twenty-one began the study of law with the Hon. Nathaniel W. Westgate at Enfield, N.H. He continued his studies with the Hon. Henry A. Bellows, a Chief Justice of New Hampshire, and in 1851 was admitted to the bar. He practised at Cornish, this county, until 1855, and afterward in Claremont until the time of his death, which occurred February 1, 1895. Mr. Baker was an able and fearless lawyer. He argued for the right on matters of public importance, and to unnecessary or unwise expenditure he was always a strong opponent. It was said of him that he "was a careful and able lawyer, and a just and honorable arbitrator in differences, in which he frequently interposed his good offices to prevent unnecessary and expensive litigation." Politically a Republican, he was Representative to the General Court in 1859, 1885, and 1886. He also filled other positions of honor and trust. His religious preferences were given to the Congregational church. The authority already quoted further states: "He inherited considerable property, which grew through his business thrift to a large estate. In public affairs he had well-defined opinions and a definite policy, which he defended with an ability and a ready wit that always assured him an audience. He was a man of many admirable qualities. In his charities, and they were many, he was as unostentatious as in his life. He made no pretensions to be else than a quiet citizen and a courteous gentleman."

On November 12, 1851, Mr. Baker married Elizabeth Ticknor, of Plainfield, with whom he lived most happily, and who survives him. She was a daughter of Erastus Ticknor, who married Cynthia Wood, and had eight children, of whom two died young. Elisha Ticknor, in the harness-making business, is a prominent citizen of Lebanon, N.H. John Philadelphia. Cynthia married Newell Colby, Mabel married a Mr. Groves, and Caroline married Charles E. Elliott.

Source: Merrimack and Sullivan Counties, New Hampshire Biographies

  Go Back