My Genealogy Hound

THEODORE W. BAKER, who has served acceptably as clerk of the town council of Norristown since 1889, is the son of Cornelius S. Baker, M. D., and Elizabeth (Feaster) Baker. Dr. Baker was a familiar figure in Norristown for many years, his tall and erect form and dignified bearing being still well remembered by the older residents of the county seat. He came to Montgomery county in 1854and settled in Norristown, where he kept a drugstore, the business since his death in 1882 having been conducted by the firm of Baker & Grady, in which Theodore W. Baker is the senior partner, his associate being ex-Burgess George W. Grady.

Dr. Cornelius S. Baker had seven children, three sons and four daughters, as follows: John S., a member of the town council of Norristown for a number of years; Kate, wife of James A. Curtis, of Baltimore; Aaron F., a well-known railroad contractor of Norristown; Mary F., wife of John T. Dyer, also of Norristown; Theodore W. Baker, and Miss Carrie E. Baker, both of Norristown. Dr. Cornelius Baker’s wife survived him one year, dying in 1883. Both were members of the First Presbyterian church, he being long a valued elder therein. During the war of the rebellion, Dr. Baker was medical examiner at Norristown.

Theodore W. Baker, who was born in Norristown, November 8, 1855, has been all his life a resident of the place, attending its public schools. At the close of school life he became a clerk in the drug store of his father, where he acquired a thorough knowledge of the business. He then went to Philadelphia, where he occupied a similar position in the establishment of Romberger & Long, wholesale dry-goods dealers, for several years. Entering the store of John Wanamaker, he continued there for six years. Close attention to business and the confinement and lack of exercise consequent upon an indoor occupation having somewhat impaired his health, he recuperated by following an outdoor calling- railroad contracting-for several years. Returning to Norristown, he re-entered the drug store, and has remained there ever since- a period of twenty years or more, a great part of which time he has officiated as clerk of town council, by successive elections every year, he having performed the duties of that position ably, intelligently, and in a manner satisfactory to all concerned.

On December 26, 1882, Mr. Baker married Miss Sue D. Hitner, daughter of Harry Hitner, of Marble Hall. Mrs. Baker was a member of an old family in the lower end of Montgomery county, their ancestor being of German origin. The couple have one daughter, Edith H. Baker.

Mr. Baker is a member of the Presbyterian church; Mrs. Baker and her daughter are Lutherans. Mr. Baker is a member of Charity Lodge, No. 190, Free and Accepted Masons, and of Norristown Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. He has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for nearly a quarter of a century, and is past grand of his lodge. He also belongs to the Improved Order of Red Men. Politically he is a Republican, and takes an active interest in the success of the party to which he belongs, having been on the election board of his district a number of years. He resides at 543 George street, where he owns a handsome residence.