Feature Article
John Baker (1813–1872)

John Baker (1813-1872), pastoralist and parliamentarian, was born on 28 December 1813 at Ilminster, Somerset, England, the eldest son of Richard Chaffey Baker (1784-1821) and his wife Mary, née Anstice. Well educated, he went at 25 to Van Diemen's Land and at Launceston became connected with John Alexander Eddie, a young merchant who overreached himself in 1838; they were sustained for some time by George Allan, reputed 'a rich man'. On 7 June Baker married Allan's daughter, Isabella, thereby becoming...