My Genealogy Hound

LEONARD BAKER, a well-known farmer of Pelham and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Springfield, Mass., May 24, 1824, son of Daniel and Rachel (Reynolds) Baker. Daniel Baker was a native of Tolland, Conn. During his life he conducted farms in Connecticut, Vermont, and Massachusetts, finally settling upon land in the eastern part of Springfield, which is now the Eighth Ward of that city. He was a Democrat in politics, a Methodist in religion, and died at the advanced age of ninety-six years. His wife, who was born in Troy, N. Y., became the mother of thirteen children, all of whom reached maturity except two, who died in infancy. Three are now living, namely: Lester, a resident of Springfield; Colonel Baker, of Connecticut; and Leonard, the subject of this sketch. The mother died at the age of eighty-five.

Leonard Baker was educated in the public schools of Springfield, and at the age of twenty-one commenced to learn the trade of a stone cutter, which he subsequently followed for some years. On January 4, 1864, he enlisted as a private in the Third Regiment, Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, was later transferred to the engineer’s department, and was honorably discharged from service September 26, 1865. After the close of the war Mr. Baker resided in Ludlow, Mass., for some five years. Then, in 1870, he settled upon a farm in Pelham of ninety-five acres, which he has since successfully cultivated. He is a Republican in politics and a comrade of the Grand Army of the Republic Post of Belchertown.

On July 4, 1850, Mr. Baker was united in marriage to Esther M. Kibbe, who was born in Springfield, Mass., December 30, 1827, daughter of Alvin Kibbe. They had two children, namely: Alice, who was born June 7, 1853, and resides with her father; and Minnie, who married Elbridge Packard, and resides in Enfield. Mrs. Baker died December 30, 1892, aged sixty-five.