Baker, Charles Whiting, 1865-1941

Charles W. Baker was born May 14, 1838, in Illinois, the first of eleven children of James Alexander and Catherine (Fleming) Baker. As a young man he taught school. Then in 1864 he caught gold fever and headed west. He travelled by wagon via the Bridger Cutoff trail. and arrived in Virginia City, Montana Territory, on July 28, 1864. He remained there until April 15, 1867, when he headed for the Salmon River in Idaho. He briefly returned to Virginia City that August and then in September took a steamboat down the Missouri River from Fort Benton to Omaha. He arrived home October 19, 1867.

Shortly after his return from the West, he married Lydia Windle. The couple had three children. Charles W. Baker died on January 9, 1923.

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