John Baker

John L. Baker (September 26, 1845 - May 26, 1910) served as a corporal in Company H, 13th Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry.

Personal life
John Baker was born September 26, 1845 in Perry County, Indiana to Presley and Glatha (Brown) Carden. He married Marilla Bryant (abt. 1852-bef. 1890) with whom he had at least seven children.

Civil War service
Baker first enlisted as a private in Company H, 3rd Kentucky Volunteer Cavalry on November 5, 1861 in Owensboro, Kentucky for a period of three years. He was transferred to Company L on January 1, 1862. Baker contracted typhoid fever and because he could not perform his duties for 60 days, he was discharged on August 16, 1862 at Athens, Alabama. Despite the fact that the examining surgeon stated he "is naturally feeble and too delicate to endure the duties of a soldier", Baker recovered. He enlisted as a private in Company H, 13th Tennessee Cavalry on October 1, 1863 in Knoxville, Tennessee for a period of three years and mustered in February 21, 1864 at Nashville, Tennessee. He was appointed corporal August 1, 1864.

When Baker enlisted in the 3rd Kentucky Cavalry he was described as 18 years old, 5' 4" tall, dark complexion, gray eyes, dark hair, and by occupation a farmer. At enlistment with the 13th Tennessee Cavalry he is described as 18 years old 5' 6" tall, light complexion, black eyes, black hair, and by occupation a farmer.

Baker is listed as present for duty throughout his term of service for which muster roll records have survived. In June 1864 he was detailed to serve in the Quartermaster's Department in Nashville.

Baker mustered out with the regiment on September 5, 1865 at Knoxville. He had last been paid to August 31, 1864, owed $1.41 to the government for clothing, had been paid a $25 bounty, and was owed a $75 bounty.

Post-war life
Baker applied for an invalid's pension on May 5, 1884. He moved to Kansas by 1900 where he lived with one of his daughters and her family. He died May 26, 1910 in Cowley County, Kansas and is buried at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Winfield, Kansas.

According to his obituary, Baker was "struck by the Arkansas City-Winfield express and baggage car of the Southwestern Interurban Railway Co." and "was knocked down and ran over by the car, as he was walking on the track near his home [in Hackney]. His left leg was so badly crushed that it was found necessary to amputate the member just below the knee. He was also so severely injured in the back and head and in other parts of the body. He also had internal injuries. On the account of his age, he being 71 years old, he was unable to withstand the shock and the serious injuries." The account addeded that Baker "was quite deaf, in fact it is said he could scarcely hear at all, and he failed to get off the track when the car approached him from the rear yesterday afternoon at 3:15 o'clock. The car men attempted to attract his attention by ringing the gong and expecting every second that he would step off the track, they failed to stop in time to avoid the serious and fatal accident."