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Richard C. Baker

Richard C. Baker, M.D., the only homeopathic physician and surgeon of Oelwein, is a native of Wisconsin. He was born on the 9th of September, 1861, in West Granville, Milwaukee County, and is a son of the Rev. John Edwin and Rebecca (Robbins) Baker. His father, who for a number of years has labored in the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was born in Columbia County, N.Y., November 6, 1831, and is of English and Mohawk Dutch extraction.  The mother of  our subject was born in New jersey, July 3, 1835. The family emigrated from New York to Wisconsin during the early history of the latter state and when Richard was a lad of four simmers came to Iowa in 1865.  They took up their residence in Black Hawk County and since the year 1873 have resided in the city of Waterloo.

We thus see that Dr. Baker has spent almost his entire life in this State. He was fitted for the profession which he has followed by liberal educational advantages. After attending the High School of Waterloo he pursued a normal and commercial course at the Normal School of Valparaiso, Ind., and in the fall of 1888 entered the Iowa State University. After two years of diligent study he was graduated from the medical department of that institution March 10, 1890, and at once began practice in Oelwein.

On Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1890, the Doctor led to the marriage alter Miss Nettie Lee, the union being celebrated at her home in Wessington Springs, S. Dak. She was born in Lewis County, N.Y., and is a daughter of Horace R. and Sarah Esther (Hathaway) Lee. With her parents she came to Iowa during her infancy, the family locating in Toledo, Tama county, where the death of her father occurred on the 1st of December, 1867, the year of their coming to Iowa. Her mother subsequently married A. I. Churchill, and in 1883 they removed to Marshalltown, Iowa. Their home is now in Wessington Springs, S. Dak.

In civic societies Dr. Baker takes some interest. He is a member of Hebron Lodge, No. 374, A.F. & A.M.; of Oelwein Chapter No. 15, R.A.M.  and Oelwein Lodge, No. 296, I.O.G.T. He is a Republican in politics, a faithful member of the Methodist Church, a warm friend of temperance and a man whom all respect and honor.  Although but recently established in Oelwein the Doctor has already won a successful start.  As he is well-read in his profession, of superior skill, and is a true gentleman by nature and education his course to marked success is only a question of time.