Joshua Baker

Joshua Baker ( * March 23, 1799 in Mason County, Kentucky, † April 16, 1885 in Lyme, Connecticut ) was an American politician and in 1868 governor of the state of Louisiana.

Early years

Already in 1803 the family moved from Kentucky to what was then Mississippi Territory. In 1811, another move to Oaklawn Plantation, St. Mary Parish was in the former Orleans Territory, from then was the state of Louisiana. Joshua was taught at home. Between 1817 and 1819, he graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point. Until 1821 he was a lieutenant in the army. After a subsequent law degree, he was admitted in 1822 as a lawyer. He then worked as a lawyer with a break 1822-1838 in a law firm in Opelousas, Louisiana. Between 1826 and 1829 he was a member of the militia of Louisiana.

Political rise

Between 1829 and 1839 Baker was hired as restructuring judge in St. Mary Parish. Between 1833 and 1838 he was also Deputy Minister of Construction ( Assistant State engeneer ) of Louisiana, and from 1840 to 1845 he served as Director of Public Works for the given by the State of Louisiana in order orders. In the meantime he had acquired three sugar plantations and was also involved in the steamboat business. From 1853 to 1861 he was a member of the " Board of Visitors " of the Military Academy at West Point.

Baker in the Civil War and as governor

Joshua was a member of the conservative wing of the Democratic Party. He opposed the 1861 completed secession of Louisiana from the Union. After the occupation of other areas of that country by the troops of the Union to Baker decided to cooperate with them. After he had taken an oath of allegiance to the Union, he was appointed by the military commander in Louisiana, General Winfield Scott Hancock, as successor to the retiring Governor Benjamin Flanders on January 8, 1868. Also, Baker could not last long in the politically troubled Louisiana. He supported the reconstruction policy of President Andrew Johnson. In March 1868, he was arrested for perjury, because he refused to erect a barricade across the Bayou Teche. Then dismissed General Hancock nine city councilors in New Orleans. This decision was annulled by General Ulysses S. Grant, after which Hancock asked for his transfer, which was also granted to him. On June 27, 1868 Governor Baker was dismissed. In an extraordinary gubernatorial election, then Henry C. Warmoth was elected his successor.

Further CV

After the end of his governorship to Baker withdrew from politics. He devoted himself to his plantations and again worked as a lawyer. He died in 1885. Joshua Baker was married twice and had five children.