Timothy Baker was born in Northampton, Massachusetts on August 5, 1787 where his ancestors had resided for some six generations. Timothy’s father, Anthony Baker, left Northampton in 1796, and, after a short residence in Goshen, Massachusetts, settled with his wife and twelve children in Jefferson County, New York. At the age of 14, Timothy went to live with his sister, a Mrs. Taylor, in Utica, New York and remained there until he moved to Herkimer, New York in 1805. Upon completing his apprenticeship as a tanner and currier, he rented a tannery at the age of 21 and established his own business. Being prudent, diligent and sagacious by nature, it was not long until his fortunes had increased to the point where he was able, in 1814, to visit Ohio. In subsequent visits he purchased land in Ohio, until, in 1819, he made his permanent home in Norwalk, Huron County. In 1816 he married Miss Eliza Remington of-Fairfield, Herkimer County, New York. She and Timothy were the proud parents of six children, all of whom lived to maturity. After forty-six years of happy marriage, Eliza died peacefully in September of 1862.
Shortly after settling in Ohio, Brother Baker’s qualities of leadership became apparent to his neighbors who honored him with various positions of trust and responsibility. He was elected by the State Legislature to a position of Associate Judge in 1821, an office he held for three consecutive terms of seven years each. He led an active life in Norwalk for more than 40 years being known principally as an extensive landholder, merchant and banker.
M. W. Brother Baker’s connection with Masonry began in Amicable Lodge No. 36 in Herkimer, New York, although his exact beginnings are unknown. He joined the Lodge in Herkimer possibly as early as 1808 and served as Worshipful Master in 1814-1816. He was a member of the R. A. Chapter in Herkimer. He attended the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Ohio in Columbus in December 1921 and was then elected Senior Grand Deacon.
At the same session he procured a charter for Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 64 and the Huron Chapter No. 7 R. A. M., both located in Norwalk. He was installed as Worshipful Master of Mt. Vernon Lodge by Most Worshipful Brother John Snow and served about six years as Master of Mt. Vernon Lodge and approximately the same period of time as High priest of the Chapter. His attendance at Grand Lodge was regular and he served as Senior Grand Warden pro-tem in January of 1829; was elected Deputy Grand Master in January 1829; Senior Grand Warden in January 1832 and Most Worshipful Grand Master in 1833. During this same period he was also Grand Scribe of the Grand Chapter, R. A. M. of Ohio and shortly thereafter took several degrees of Knighthood in the encampment at Worthington, Ohio.
These were the active years of Most Worshipful Brother Baker’s Masonic history. Immediately following his term as Grand Master there came an interval in which the Lodge and the Chapter in Norwalk became inactive. During this same period of time Judge Baker’s private business increased so much that when the charters were reactivated he felt he could not again assume the duties of the fraternity, feeling the burden could be better shouldered by younger men. It was with reluctance; therefore, that Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 64 suspended M. W. Brother Timothy Baker in 1344 for non-payment of dues.
The last twenty years of M. W. Brother Baker’s life were spent in confinement due to ill health. Upon his death in Norwalk on January 26, 1878, Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 64, at their regular communication in February, unanimously passed a resolution of respect and grateful remembrance of the Lodge’s founder.
M. W. Brother Baker departed this life on Sunday, January 27, 1878 in Norwalk, Ohio at the age of 91. He was interred in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Section 3, Lot 203, Norwalk, Ohio.