Legislator Details

Image of Herbert  F. Baker
Image Description:
Portrait captured from Find-a-Grave.com 6/25/2025; same photo in 1911 Michigan Manual preceding p.800.

Herbert F. Baker
AKA:
Number of sessions served 5
Gender: Male
Age at election: 44

Vital Records Information:

Birth
Date: 1/13/1862
City: Dover Township, MI
County: Lenawee County, MI
Country: US
 
Death
Date: 1/4/1930
City: Murers, MI
County: Cheboygan County, MI
Country: US
Type of Burial:
Burial
Date: 1/7/1930
City: Cheboygan, MI
County: Cheboygan County, MI
Country: US
Cemetery: Munro Township or Pine Hill Cemetery

Marital Information:
married Martha R. Roberts; 2, Thomas E. and Charles W. [adopted]

Number of Children: 2


Background

Religion: Methodist Episcopal
Military Service:
Occupation: teacher, farmer, merchant, businessman
Race: Caucasian or White

Education:
Educated in Dover Twp MI schools; attended Adrian College

Biographical Sketch:
Son of John and Lidia (Burchham) Baker. He was a county teacher for a few years. In the early 1880s, he ranched in the Dakotas. Moved to Cheboygan Co., 1889 to farm. He served as supervisor and held other township offices. He was Michigan Assistant Secretary of Labor at the time of his death. Member of the Grange; Elks; Modern Woodmen of America; Knights of Pythias. He had a general store in Weadock for some time.

Notable Facts:
Unsuccessfully ran for some offices as a Progressive. Nicknamed the 'Cheboygan Bear Cat' for his flamboyant style. Died of apoplexy. Place of burial on death certificate says Cheboygan, Pine Hill; Find-a-Grave says Weadock/Munro Cemetery. Obit. says place in Pine Hill vault to be transferred to Munro in spring.


Sessions Served:

Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Elections , Highways , Judiciary , Normal Schools
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Weadock
County of Residence Cheboygan
District: 29
District Description: Comprising the counties of Alpena, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, Montmorency, Otsego and Presque Isle

Date Elected: 11/2/1920
Date Sworn In: 1/5/1921
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed

Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Chair of the Committee on Normal Schools
Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Elections , Highways , Judiciary , Labor , Normal Schools
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Weadock
County of Residence Cheboygan
District: 29
District Description: Comprising the counties of Alpena, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, Montmorency, Otsego and Presque Isle

Date Elected: 11/5/1918
Date Sworn In: 1/1/1919
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected

Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Chair of the Committee on Normal Schools
Chamber: House
Party: Republican
Committees Served On:
Postions Held: Speaker

City of Residence: Weadock
County of Residence Cheboygan
District: Cheboygan
District Description:

Date Elected: 11/8/1910
Date Sworn In: 1/4/1911
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed

Maritial Status: Married
Notes:
Chamber: House
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Fish and Fisheries , Insurance , Roads and Bridges , Supplies and Expenditures
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Weadock
County of Residence Cheboygan
District: Cheboygan
District Description: Cheboygan County

Date Elected: 11/3/1908
Date Sworn In: 1/6/1909
Date Left Office: 1/1/1753

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected

Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes: Committee chairmanship: Insurance
Chamber: House
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Geological Survey , Insurance , State Public School
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Weadock
County of Residence Cheboygan
District: Cheboygan
District Description: Cheboygan County

Date Elected: 11/6/1906
Date Sworn In: 1/2/1907
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected

Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes:

Bibliography:

PolGryd; MIBiog 1:41; Manual 1919, p. 799; Michiganology; USCen 1910, 1920; Find-a-Grave.com, includes portraits; Petoskey News Review 1/7/1930; DetNews 1/6/1930 p.7, col.4; DetNews 1/5/1930 p.18, col.4-6, includes sketch