Andrew H. Baker, a successful real estate dealer and one of the earlier residents of Hoisington, Kan., has been prominently identified with the business activities and public life of that town for the last quarter of a century. He is of German descent and a native of Missouri, born on a farm in St. Francois county, March 21, 1841. His father. Moses W. Baker, a native of the same county, was born on Nov. 9, 1809, his parents natives of Germany. Moses W. Baker was married, in 1833, to Miss Lydia R. Kinkaid, a daughter of Capt. Samuel Kinkaid. a Virginian by birth, who was a captain in the Black Hawk war. Captain Kinkaid had removed to St. Francois county, Missouri, in an early day, and died on his homestead there in 1862. Moses W. Baker was a member of the Masonic order and of the Christian church. He and his good wife became the parents of ten children—five sons and five daughters: John J., born in 1835, died in August, 1905; Mary E., born in October, 1837, is the widow of Joseph Philips, and resides at Farmington. Mo.; Dr. Samuel A., born Nov. 1, 1839, died in 1873, leaving a wife and three children: Andrew H. is the next in order of birth; Isaac W., born in July, 1843, died in 1868; Julia A., born in November, 1845, died in 1869; Clara J., born in 1848, died in 1878; Lettie Fannie, born in July, 1852, died in November, 1910; Eva, born in 1855, died in 1875; and Gilbert N.. born in February, 1858, is a merchant at Farmington, Mo. Andrew H. Baker was reared on the home farm and obtained his education in the public schools of Libertyville, Mo. So diligently did he apply himself to Ins studies that, at the age of eighteen, he was enabled to enter the teaching profession and was thus engaged two years. He then became a salesman and, after being employed thus a few years, entered the mercantile business on his own account, at Knob Lick, Mo. The panic of 1873 wrought disaster to his business and he then resumed the duties of a salesman for others until 1878, when he went to Ellis county, Texas, and there gave his attention to farming for five years. After spending a short period at his old home, in Missouri, he came to Kansas, in 1886, and engaged in the real estate business, first at Ellsworth, but in November of the same year he located at Hoisington, opening the first real estate office established there. He was a sales agent for the Hoisington Town Company, the development of the town having been just begun. He was the first police judge of Hoisington and held that position several years. He was also a member of the city school board one term and is now a justice of the peace. Mr. Baker remained undaunted by his earlier discouragements and failures, and with that tenacity of purpose, without which success is seldom attained, he devoted himself to his business with persistence and industry, and has won a deserved recompense for his endeavors. He now owns both town property and valuable farm lands, and has a competency for his remaining years. Mr. Baker has been twice married. He first wedded Miss Mary F. McGlasson, of Missouri, Dec. 14. 1874. She died Jan. 13, 1889, leaving three children: Mandelbert, born Oct. 1, 1875, is a manufacturer in Chicago; James M., born Nov. 1, 1877, is a banker at White City, Kan.; Regina B., born in October, 1879, is a graduate of Bethany College, at Lindsborg, Kan., and is now a teacher of music at Hoisington. Mr. Baker's second marriage occurred June 24, 1891, and united him to Miss Fannie B. Hall, of Mexico, Mo. Of this union one child has been born, Andrew Harris, Jr., born June 15, 1902. Mr. Baker is a member of the Masonic order, his membership dating back to 1862, and he was the first Worshipful Master of Hoisington Lodge No. 331, which office he held four terms. He is a member of the Christian church. Hoisington has now become a thriving town and numbers among its citizens none more esteemed and respected than Mr. Baker, whose energies have been untiringly devoted to its progress and who has set an example of worthy citizenship.