AN AGED TOWN CLERK DEAD.
Benjamin F. Baker, the Nestor of Brookline Politics.
He Had Kept the Records of the Borough for Nearly 30 Years. He Helped Found the Town Library, the First of Its Kind in the United States. Benjamin F. Baker, who for nearly 50 years was town clerk of Brookline, died last night at 7:05 o'clock, from heart disease. He had been in good health until early this summer. He visited his birthplace in Maine early in August, and later went to the mountains of New Hampshire, in the hope that the mountain air could bring back health. Receiving no benefit, he returned to Brookline Aug. 24. and sunk rapidly. He leaves two daughters and a son.
Benjamin F. Baker was born Aug. 28, 1820, in Kennebunk, Me., being a son of John Baker, Jr., and a grandson of John Baker, Sr., a hero of the revolution. In length of service he was the senior town clerk of the commonwealth. At the time of his first election to the above office 88 votes was the total polled. From the age of 13 untll attaining his majority he served an apprenticeship in his native town. Then he went to Brookline and became a painter. At this time the number of inhabitants of the town was placed at 1200, and two tanneries were the only manufacturing. A few years later he became town clerk. In 1884 he represented the town in the Legislature. On the various contests arising from the attempt to annex Brookline to Boston, he was one of the most sturdy defenders of the town. He was one of the earliest advocates and promoters of Brookline's Public Llbrary, which was the first established by any town in the United States. Mr. Baker was one of the library trustees from the beginning, excepting for one term, and was secretary to the board for 17 years.
He was a Mason, belonging to Bethorian lodge, of which he was a charter member, and had been past master of Mt. Vernon chapter, R.A.M., and St. Omar commandery, K. T., of South Boston. He was also a member of Sagsmore council, Royal Arcanam. He was a charter member of the old society known as the Master Painters Association, and also of the new Master Painters and Decorators Association and of which he was president. He was a trustee of the Brookline Savings Bank.
In May, 1842, he united with the Harvard Baptist Church. He was clerk of the church for 18 years, and secretary of the society 16 years. In 1844 Mr. Baker married Miss Lovina Libby of Limerick.
THE SUNDAY HERALD. (Boston, Massachusetts) Sunday, September 11, 1898. Page 3.
Benjamin F. Baker, the Nestor of Brookline Politics.
He Had Kept the Records of the Borough for Nearly 30 Years. He Helped Found the Town Library, the First of Its Kind in the United States. Benjamin F. Baker, who for nearly 50 years was town clerk of Brookline, died last night at 7:05 o'clock, from heart disease. He had been in good health until early this summer. He visited his birthplace in Maine early in August, and later went to the mountains of New Hampshire, in the hope that the mountain air could bring back health. Receiving no benefit, he returned to Brookline Aug. 24. and sunk rapidly. He leaves two daughters and a son.
Benjamin F. Baker was born Aug. 28, 1820, in Kennebunk, Me., being a son of John Baker, Jr., and a grandson of John Baker, Sr., a hero of the revolution. In length of service he was the senior town clerk of the commonwealth. At the time of his first election to the above office 88 votes was the total polled. From the age of 13 untll attaining his majority he served an apprenticeship in his native town. Then he went to Brookline and became a painter. At this time the number of inhabitants of the town was placed at 1200, and two tanneries were the only manufacturing. A few years later he became town clerk. In 1884 he represented the town in the Legislature. On the various contests arising from the attempt to annex Brookline to Boston, he was one of the most sturdy defenders of the town. He was one of the earliest advocates and promoters of Brookline's Public Llbrary, which was the first established by any town in the United States. Mr. Baker was one of the library trustees from the beginning, excepting for one term, and was secretary to the board for 17 years.
He was a Mason, belonging to Bethorian lodge, of which he was a charter member, and had been past master of Mt. Vernon chapter, R.A.M., and St. Omar commandery, K. T., of South Boston. He was also a member of Sagsmore council, Royal Arcanam. He was a charter member of the old society known as the Master Painters Association, and also of the new Master Painters and Decorators Association and of which he was president. He was a trustee of the Brookline Savings Bank.
In May, 1842, he united with the Harvard Baptist Church. He was clerk of the church for 18 years, and secretary of the society 16 years. In 1844 Mr. Baker married Miss Lovina Libby of Limerick.
THE SUNDAY HERALD. (Boston, Massachusetts) Sunday, September 11, 1898. Page 3.
AN AGED TOWN CLERK DEAD.
Benjamin F. Baker, the Nestor of Brookline Politics.
He Had Kept the Records of the Borough for Nearly 30 Years. He Helped Found the Town Library, the First of Its Kind in the United States. Benjamin F. Baker, who for nearly 50 years was town clerk of Brookline, died last night at 7:05 o'clock, from heart disease. He had been in good health until early this summer. He visited his birthplace in Maine early in August, and later went to the mountains of New Hampshire, in the hope that the mountain air could bring back health. Receiving no benefit, he returned to Brookline Aug. 24. and sunk rapidly. He leaves two daughters and a son.
Benjamin F. Baker was born Aug. 28, 1820, in Kennebunk, Me., being a son of John Baker, Jr., and a grandson of John Baker, Sr., a hero of the revolution. In length of service he was the senior town clerk of the commonwealth. At the time of his first election to the above office 88 votes was the total polled. From the age of 13 untll attaining his majority he served an apprenticeship in his native town. Then he went to Brookline and became a painter. At this time the number of inhabitants of the town was placed at 1200, and two tanneries were the only manufacturing. A few years later he became town clerk. In 1884 he represented the town in the Legislature. On the various contests arising from the attempt to annex Brookline to Boston, he was one of the most sturdy defenders of the town. He was one of the earliest advocates and promoters of Brookline's Public Llbrary, which was the first established by any town in the United States. Mr. Baker was one of the library trustees from the beginning, excepting for one term, and was secretary to the board for 17 years.
He was a Mason, belonging to Bethorian lodge, of which he was a charter member, and had been past master of Mt. Vernon chapter, R.A.M., and St. Omar commandery, K. T., of South Boston. He was also a member of Sagsmore council, Royal Arcanam. He was a charter member of the old society known as the Master Painters Association, and also of the new Master Painters and Decorators Association and of which he was president. He was a trustee of the Brookline Savings Bank.
In May, 1842, he united with the Harvard Baptist Church. He was clerk of the church for 18 years, and secretary of the society 16 years. In 1844 Mr. Baker married Miss Lovina Libby of Limerick.
THE SUNDAY HERALD. (Boston, Massachusetts) Sunday, September 11, 1898. Page 3.
Benjamin F. Baker, the Nestor of Brookline Politics.
He Had Kept the Records of the Borough for Nearly 30 Years. He Helped Found the Town Library, the First of Its Kind in the United States. Benjamin F. Baker, who for nearly 50 years was town clerk of Brookline, died last night at 7:05 o'clock, from heart disease. He had been in good health until early this summer. He visited his birthplace in Maine early in August, and later went to the mountains of New Hampshire, in the hope that the mountain air could bring back health. Receiving no benefit, he returned to Brookline Aug. 24. and sunk rapidly. He leaves two daughters and a son.
Benjamin F. Baker was born Aug. 28, 1820, in Kennebunk, Me., being a son of John Baker, Jr., and a grandson of John Baker, Sr., a hero of the revolution. In length of service he was the senior town clerk of the commonwealth. At the time of his first election to the above office 88 votes was the total polled. From the age of 13 untll attaining his majority he served an apprenticeship in his native town. Then he went to Brookline and became a painter. At this time the number of inhabitants of the town was placed at 1200, and two tanneries were the only manufacturing. A few years later he became town clerk. In 1884 he represented the town in the Legislature. On the various contests arising from the attempt to annex Brookline to Boston, he was one of the most sturdy defenders of the town. He was one of the earliest advocates and promoters of Brookline's Public Llbrary, which was the first established by any town in the United States. Mr. Baker was one of the library trustees from the beginning, excepting for one term, and was secretary to the board for 17 years.
He was a Mason, belonging to Bethorian lodge, of which he was a charter member, and had been past master of Mt. Vernon chapter, R.A.M., and St. Omar commandery, K. T., of South Boston. He was also a member of Sagsmore council, Royal Arcanam. He was a charter member of the old society known as the Master Painters Association, and also of the new Master Painters and Decorators Association and of which he was president. He was a trustee of the Brookline Savings Bank.
In May, 1842, he united with the Harvard Baptist Church. He was clerk of the church for 18 years, and secretary of the society 16 years. In 1844 Mr. Baker married Miss Lovina Libby of Limerick.
THE SUNDAY HERALD. (Boston, Massachusetts) Sunday, September 11, 1898. Page 3.
Family Members
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