Jacob Thompson Baker (April 13, 1847 – December 7, 1919) was an American Democratic Party politician from New Jersey who represented New Jersey's 2nd congressional district for one term from 1913 to 1915.
Jacob Thompson Baker | |
|---|---|
 Lewisburg Journal (Lewisburg, PA), August 8, 1913 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey's 2nd district | |
| In office March 4, 1913 – March 3, 1915 | |
| Preceded by | John J. Gardner |
| Succeeded by | Isaac Bacharach |
| 1st Mayor of Wildwood, New Jersey | |
| In office 1911–1912 | |
| Preceded by | Latimer R. Baker (As mayor of Wildwood Borough) |
| Succeeded by | Frank E. Smith |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 13, 1847 Cowan, Pennsylvania |
| Died | December 7, 1919 (aged 72) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | Katharine Baker |
| Profession | Attorney Real estate developer |
Early life and education
editBaker was born near Cowan, Pennsylvania on April 13, 1847. He attended the public schools and Bucknell University. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1870 and commenced practice in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.
Political career
editHe was chairman of the Democratic State convention in 1905. Baker moved to New Jersey and was one of the founders of Wildwood and the borough of Wildwood Crest. He was the first Mayor of Wildwood, New Jersey in 1911 and 1912, and was a delegate to the 1912 Democratic National Convention.
Congress
editBaker was elected as a Democrat to the Sixty-third Congress, serving in office from March 4, 1913 to March 3, 1915, but was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1914 to the Sixty-fourth Congress.
After leaving Congress, he resumed real estate activities in Wildwood.
Death and legacy
editBaker died in Philadelphia on December 7, 1919, and was interred in Cold Spring Presbyterian Cemetery in Cold Spring, New Jersey.
Baker's home, the J. Thompson Baker House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.