David J. Baker

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For the musician named David Baker, see David Baker.

David Jewett Baker (September 7, 1792 - August 6, 1869) was a United States Senator from Illinois. Born in East Haddam, Connecticut, he moved with his parents to Ontario County, New York and attended the common schools; in 1816 he graduated from Hamilton College in Clinton, New York. He studied law, and was admitted to the Illinois bar and commenced the practice of law in Kaskaskia, Illinois.

He was probate judge of Randolph County from August 1827 to December 6, 1830 when he resigned to become a Senator; he was appointed as a Democrat to the U.S. 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.

Baker was not a candidate for election in 1830 to fill the vacancy, and was appointed United States attorney for the district of Illinois in 1833 and served until 1841. He resumed the practice of law, and died in Alton, and was interred in City Cemetery.

This article incorporates facts obtained from the public domain Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.