The New Student's Reference Work/Baker, Edward Dickinson

Baker, Edward Dickinson, an American senator and soldier. He was born in London in 1811, and came to the United States when three years old, living first at Philadelphia and then at Belleville, Illinois. He practiced law in Springfield, Illinois, when he was elected to the legislature, state senate and finally to the house of representatives. In 1846 he resigned his seat in Congress to become colonel of a regiment of volunteers from Illinois in the Mexican War, and was present at the siege of Vera Cruz, and commanded a brigade at Cerro Gordo. He was elected to the United States senate from Oregon in 1860. At the breaking out of the Civil War he was appointed colonel of a regiment he had raised in New York and Philadelphia. He was killed when in command of a brigade at the battle of Ball's Bluff, October 21, 1861.