American Historical Ephemera & Photography

An archive of documents and medals from the military baker family, including items from Lieutenant Colonel John Pope Baker (1838-1907) of the 1st U.S. Cavalry and his son Major Wallace Fairchild Baker (1888-1945). Relatives of Abraham Lincoln, as John Pope Baker married Mary Todd Wallace, the daughter of William S. and Francis Jane Todd Wallace, who was Mary Todd's sister. During the Civil War, he served as second lieutenant of the First US Dragoons, promoted to first lieutenant (1861), breveted to major (1864), and then lieutenant colonel (1865). He retired to Springfield, IL and worked as a proprietor and editor of the Illinois State Journal before rejoining the Army in 1882 as a major and Army Paymaster, serving through the Spanish-American war and seeing promotion to lieutenant colonel.

His son Wallace Fairchild Baker entered into the service in 1889 as an assistant to his father in the Department of the Dakotas, He would d see service during the Spanish-American War and the Occupation in Cuba, also receiving assignments in the Philippines. During World War I, he served in the 5th Brigade in the Expeditionary Force under General Pershing's command. After the war, he served again in Asia, with stints in the Philippines, and China. 

[JOHNSON, Andrew]. Partly printed military commissions stamp signed ("Andrew Johnson"). Washington, D.C., 20 August 1866. Commission for John A. Baker to major by brevet on 9 April 1864 for "gallant and meritorious services at the battle of Pleasant HIll, Louisiana." (Adhesive residue to verso with wrinkling/creasing).

[With:] [JOHNSON, Andrew (1808-1875)]. Partly printed military commissions. Washington, D.C., 1 June [1864?]. Commission for Geroge A. Rowley to first lieutenant in the 2nd United States Infantry. (Manuscript portions appear to be traced over the original in a later hand, the dates appear to be miscopied). -- [JOHNSON, Andrew]. Partly printed military commissions stamp signed ("Andrew Johnson"). Washington, D.C., 10 August 1866. Commission for Rowley to captain by brevet on 30 March 1865 for "gallant and meritorious services at the battle of Gettysburg." -- Together, 2 commission documents for George A. Rowley, each approx. 15 x 19 in.

[With:] Sons of the American Revolution Medal with eagle hanger. Approx. diam. 1 1/2 in. -- Two Society of Colonial Wars membership medals. [Tiffany & Co.]. Diam. approx. 1 1/2 in. enamel and silver medals. -- Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS). Approx. diam. 1 1/4 in. enameled and gilt medal, engraved with John Pope Baker's MOLLUS ID. -- Two United States Military Academy at West point badges. N.p., ca 1940s. -- Two 1st Cavalry Division combat service ID badges. -- And 3 pieces of hat insignia from the 1st US Cavalry, likely those of John Pope Baker. -- 35 buttons. -- 13 Boy Scout medals, badges, charms, etc. -- 14 ribbon medals -- 28 miscellaneous military and patriotic badges, medals, charms, etc. -- And 32 cloth cufflinks.

[Also with:] Typescript with summary biographies of military figures. 11 pages (numbering 9-19, 4to, light toning. -- Partly printed passport for Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary Wallace F. Baker. Beijing, China, 17 November 1922.  8 3/4 x 12 1/8 in.