Edward Lee Baker (1865 - 1913)

Born 28 Dec 1865 in Laramie, Idaho Territory, United States

Descendants

Died 26 Aug 1913 at age 47 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States

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Biography

Edward Baker was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Sgt Maj Edward Baker served with the United States Army during the Spanish-American War.
Service Started: Jul 27, 1897
Unit(s): 10th US Cavalry Regiment (Buffalo Soldiers)
Service Ended: Oct 31, 1909

Edward Baker is Notable.

Edward Lee Baker, Jr. was an African-American soldier and Medal of Honor recipient for heroism during his service with the legendary Buffalo Soldiers.

Rank and Organization: Sergeant Major, 10th U.S. Cavalry. Place and Date: At Santiago, Cuba, July 1, 1898. Birth: Laramie County, Wyoming. Date of Issue: July 3, 1902.

Citation:

Left cover and, under fire, rescued a wounded comrade from drowning.

While Captain Baker was stationed in the Philippines with the 10th Cavalry Regiment, he applied for a US Passport which gave his physical description as follows: ^[1]

Age: 35 years

Stature: 5' 9 7/8"

Forehead: medium narrow

Eyes: hazel

Nose: short

Mouth: medium

Chin: dimple

Hair: dark, curley

Complexion: dark

Face: oval, square jaw

Marriage

Edward was married to Mary E. Hawley (1864-) in 1888. ^[2]

Children:

• Edward Lee Baker, III (1890-)
• Myrtle Baker
• Eugenia S. Baker
• Gwendolyn L. Baker (mother of Grammy-winning jazz saxophonist Dexter Gordon)
• Dexter Murat Baker^[3]

Military Career

Baker enlisted as a private in the 9th Cavalry Regiment of the Buffalo Soldiers on 27 July 1882. He was soon promoted to trumpeter. He re-enlisted in the 10th Cavallry Regiment where he rose to the rank of Sergeant Major, making him the highest ranking enlisted man in the regiment. He distinguished himself during the Battle of San Juan Hill in July 1898.

He was commissioned as a First Lieutenant on 2 August 1898. Baker was mustered out on 8 March 1899. Later that year he was promoted to Captain of the 49th US Volunteer Infantry, mustering out on 30 June 1901. He was re-commissioned, as a Second Lieutenant, with the Philippine Scouts on 7 February 1902 and promoted to First Lieutenant on 10 September 1906. He was again promoted to Captain on 12 September 1908. He resigned his commission after serving 27 years with the Army. At that time he was one of the highest ranking African-American officers in the United States Army.

Death

Captain Baker died 26 August 1913 in San Francisco at age 47.^[4] He was buried in Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery, Los Angeles, California, Section 3, lot 130, grave 2 SE.^[5][6]

Sources

1. ↑ "United States Passport Applications, 1795-1925," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVJP-W6K1 : 4 September 2015), Edward Lee Baker, 1901; citing Passport Application, , source certificate #47803, Passport Applications, 1795-1905., Roll 586, NARA microfilm publications M1490 and M1372 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,516,364. Cit. Date: 19 Aug 2017.
2. ↑ 1900 US Federal Census.
3. ↑ "Montana, U.S., Birth Records, 1897-1988," database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry Record 61591 #15419579 : accessed 28 August 2022), Edward Lee Baker born in 1860 in Laramie, Wyoming; citing Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Helena, Montana, Montana, Birth Records, 1919-1986.
4. ↑ "California, U.S., Death Index, 1905-1939," database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry Record 5187 #652445 : accessed 28 August 2022), Edward L Baker death 26 Aug 1913 (age 47) in San Francisco, California, USA; citing California Department of Health and Welfare. California Vital Records-Vitalsearch.
5. ↑ "Find a Grave," database with images, (Find A Grave: Memorial #7867367 : accessed 28 August 2022), Memorial page for Edward Lee Baker Jr. Famous memorial (28 Dec 1865-26 Aug 1913), citing Angelus Rosedale Cemetery, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA (plot: Section 3, Lot 130, Grave 2 SE); Maintained by Find a Grave.
6. ↑ Wikipedia.

• "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M31F-WKM : accessed 19 August 2017), Edward L Baker, Aparri, Tugeugardo Hospital, Luzon, Philippines; citing enumeration district (ED) 202, sheet 11A, family , NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,841.
• "1910 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry Record 7884 #1169877 : accessed 28 August 2022), Edward L Baker Jr (44), married, Retired Cap NDA, head of household in Los Angeles Assembly District 72, Los Angeles, California, USA. Born in Wyoming; citing Year 1910, Census Place Los Angeles Assembly District 72, Los Angeles, California, Roll T624_82, Page 14B, Enumeration District 0204, FHL microfilm 1374095.
• "U.S., Army, Register of Enlistments, 1798-1914," database, (Ancestry Record 1198 #816534 : accessed 28 August 2022), Name: Edward L Baker, Birthyear: abt 1865, Birthplace: Wyoming, United States, Enlistment Age: 27.
• Wikipedia: Edward L. Baker Jr.
• Wikidata: Item Q5343986, en:Wikipedia