The Biographical Dictionary of America/Baker, Nathaniel Bradley

BAKER, Nathaniel Bradley, governor of New Hampshire, was born at Hillsboro, N. H., Sept. 29, 1818. He was prepared for college at Phillips academy at Exeter, and entered Harvard at the age of fifteen. After his graduation in 1839 he began the study of the law, and in 1842 was admitted to the bar and began to practise. For a time he edited the New Hampshire Patriot, but on his appointment as clerk of the court of common pleas he discontinued his journalistic work. After serving a year in this capacity he performed similar duties in the superior court of judicature for Merrimac county. He became well known in political circles, and held office as representative in the state legislature, speaker of the house, 1851-'52, presidential elector in 1852, and governor of New Hampshire 1854-'55. In 1856 he changed his residence to Clinton, Iowa. After practising his profession there for three years he was sent to the state legislature. In 1861 he was appointed adjutant-general of Iowa, which office he held until his death, Sept. 11, 1876.