Jehu BAKER, Congress, IL (1822-1903)

BAKER Jehu , a Representative from Illinois; born near Lexington, Fayette County, Ky., November 4, 1822; moved with his father to Lebanon, Ill., in 1829; attended the common schools and McKendree College at Lebanon; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1846 and commenced practice at Belleville, St. Clair County, Ill.; master in chancery of St. Clair County 1861-1865; elected as a Republican to the Thirty-ninth and Fortieth Congresses (March 4, 1865-March 3, 1869); chairman, Committee on Expenditures in the Post Office Department (Thirty-ninth Congress), Committee on Education and Labor (Fortieth Congress); served as United States Minister to Venezuela 1878-1881 and 1882-1885, being Minister Resident and consul general for a time during the latter portion of his service; elected as a Republican to the Fiftieth Congress (March 4, 1887-March 3, 1889); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1888 to the Fifty-first Congress; continued the practice of law; elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-fifth Congress (March 4, 1897-March 3, 1899); declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1898 to the Fifty-sixth Congress; resumed the practice of law; died in Belleville, Ill., on March 1, 1903; interment in Walnut Hill Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present