Early Memories of Saugatuck, Michigan : 1830-1930
Author: Heath, May Francis
Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Grand Rapids, Mich: 1930

RICHARD BAKER

Richard Baker was born in Rochester, N. Y., in 1842. After the close of the Civil war in which he served as a corporal, he went to Allegan and was employed by the Cram and Knapp Shipbuilding Co. of Rochester, to calk a boat they were building at Allegan. This proved to be his home from that time on and in 1868 he married Charlotte Towner of Trowbridge, Allegan county, and he soon made his home in Saugatuck as his work was on boats plying between Allegan and Chicago via Saugatuck.

Later he worked at the Saugatuck harbor on the piers and boarded with the Underwoods at the lighthouse. He bought the home of Capt. Teddy Tyler which since has been the family home, the only daughter, Alice, living there now. For many years Mr. Baker engaged in the ship yard industries of the village. He was an expert caulker and often would be called to other places on big jobs. But he loved Saugatuck and the old Kalamazoo, and each year at the ceremonies on Decoration Day is his name spoken by many as the ship of flowers is launched on the water, in honor of the sailors who have given their lives for their U.S. Mr. Baker built and gave the ship to the G. A. R. Post of which he was a member; he was also associated with the Odd Fellow and Rebekah lodges. Mrs. Baker passed away in 1909 and he at the age of seventy-nine in 1921.