Illinois State Historical Library

BAKER, David Jewett, a Senator from Illinois; born in East Haddam, Conn., September 7, 1792; moved with his parents to Ontario County, N.Y.; attended the common schools and graduated from Hamilton College, Clinton, N.Y., in 1816; studied law; admitted to the Illinois bar in 1819 and commenced the practice of law in Kaskaskia, Ill.; probate judge of Randolph County from August 1827 until December 6, 1830, when he resigned to become Senator; appointed as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of John McLean and served from November 12, 1830, to December 11, 1830, when a successor was elected and qualified; was not a candidate for election in 1830 to fill the vacancy; appointed United States district attorney for the district of Illinois in 1833 and served until 1841; resumed the practice of law; died in Alton, Madison County, Ill., August 6, 1869; interment in City Cemetery.