David Hume Baker (October 7, 1841 – June 1, 1917) was a

state senator A state senator is a member of a state's senate in the bicameral legislature of 49 U.S. states, or a member of the unicameral Nebraska Legislature. Description A state senator is a member of an upper house in the bicameral legislatures of 49 U ...

in the US states of Kentucky and Florida. His historic home, which was built between 1886 and 1890, still stands in

Wildwood, Florida Wildwood is a city in Sumter County, Florida, United States. The population was 6,709 at the 2010 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2018 estimates, the city had a population of 7,024. Due to rapid growth the city had over 33,000 res ...

, and hosts various events. The home was built in what was then the community of

Orange Home Orange Home was a community in Florida and is now a neighborhood 3 miles from Wildwood, Florida. It was a stop on a rail line through the area. Orange Home dates to at least 1886 when it was listed in a Florida state directory as "Eight miles wes ...

, Florida. The Baker House was part of a 1,200-acre property. The house stayed in the family for several generations before it was sold to the City of Wildwood in 2012. A historical marker was added at the site of the Baker House in 2019 by the Timucua Chapter of the Colonial Dames of the 17th Century. During the Civil War, Baker served in the Union Army as a member of the 12th Kentucky Cavalry Regiment. He was a state senator in Kentucky from 1873 until 1875. Baker then moved from Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, to Orange Home, Florida. Baker served in the

Florida Legislature The Florida Legislature is the legislature of the U.S. State of Florida. It is organized as a bicameral body composed of an upper chamber, the Senate, and a lower chamber, the House of Representatives. Article III, Section 1 of the Florida Cons ...

from 1886 until 1890. He married Mary Hanah Matthis; they had one son, David Mathias Baker. He is buried with his wife Mary (1844–1932) at

Arlington National Cemetery Arlington National Cemetery is one of two national cemeteries run by the United States Army. Nearly 400,000 people are buried in its 639 acres (259 ha) in Arlington, Virginia. There are about 30 funerals conducted on weekdays and 7 held on Sa ...

. His son was part of the Ingraham Expedition.

References

1841 births Kentucky in the American Civil War 1917 deaths People from Muhlenberg County, Kentucky People from Wildwood, Florida Kentucky state senators Florida state senators Burials at Arlington National Cemetery {{Florida-politician-stub