The Baker family of Gloversville, New York, descend from New England ancestors through paternal and maternal lines. Baker and Elliot are names well-known and honored in early annals. The first of this branch to settle in New York state was Joseph Baker, who married Phoebe Elliot, of Pompey Hill, Onondaga county, New York. Among their children were: Samuel Porter, see forward; Ashley; Sarah; Maria; Martin; Francis, and Charles.
(II) Samuel Porter, son of Joseph and Phoebe (Elliot) Baker, was born in Marcellus, Onondaga county, New York, in 1800, and died in Gloversville, New York, April 21, 1888. He was a farmer, and settled in West Monroe, Oswego county, where in 1821 he married Mary H. Atherton, born 1803, died 1883, daughter of Samuel Atherton, of Massachusetts, and his wife Betsey Henry, of Chesterfield, New Hampshire. Children:
- Mary M., married John Rill; children: William, Olivia, James.
- Olivia, married James Armstrong, of New Hartford, New York; children: George, Dr. James A.; Ida.
- William H., born in Lenox, Madison county, New York, January 17, 1827. He is a lawyer, and was a member of congress, having been elected in 1874 and re-elected in 1876. He is a resident of Constantia, Oswego county, New York. He married, October 27, 1859, Sarah, daughter of William and Sarah Barnes, of England; children:
- Sarah Catherine, married Selah W. Hallenbeck, of Gloversville, New York.
- William Barnes, a lawyer of Oswego county, New York, married Florence Betts and has a daughter Florence.
- Mary Adeline, graduate of Syracuse University.
- S. Park, lawyer of Niagara county, New York (deceased), married Adeline Bentley, and left a daughter Jennie, who is now deceased.
- George O., a lawyer of Clyde, New York, married Ellen Gregory; children:
- William G., married and has two sons;
- Alice, married Heman Traver; children: George and Alice.
- Alonzo E., a manufacturer of New Hartford, New York; married Cordelia Richardson; children: Joseph R. and Edwin.
- Ashley D. L., see forward.
(III) Ashley De Los, youngest child of Samuel Porter and Mary (Atherton) Baker, was born in the town of West Monroe, Oswego county, New York, July 28, 1843. He was educated in Whitestown Seminary and Mexico Academy. He read law under the direction of his brothers, William H. and S. Park Baker, and after a course at Albany Law School was admitted to the bar at general term, Albany county court, in the fall of 1866. In the spring of 1867 he opened an office for the practice of law in Gloversville, New York, and after a few months formed a partnership with Hiram S. Parkhurst, which continued until 1884. At the age of thirty-four years he was elected judge of Fulton county, and served the full term of six years. On retiring from the bench he resumed his private practice in Gloversville. After a few years' practice in Gloversville alone he formed a partnership with Frank Burton, as Baker & Burton, later admitting his son, A. J. Baker, to the firm. Baker, Burton & Baker continued until A. J. Baker withdrew to engage in manufacturing as a member of P. P. Argersinger & Company, of Johnstown. Baker & Burton continued until 1910, when W. B. Baker, ex-district attorney of Oswego county, was admitted, and the firm is again Baker, Burton & Baker. Judge Baker (A. D. L.) was elected the first mayor of Gloversville, under the charter of the new city, in 1890. He is a leading Republican of Fulton county and a man of influence in the party. In 1901 he was elected president of the Fulton County National Bank, of Gloversville, and is the present head of that institution (1910). He is eminent in his profession, and commands a large practice. He is a member of the State and County Bar Associations; Gloversville Lodge, No. 429, Free and Accepted Masons; Johnstown Chapter, No. 78, Royal Arch Masons; Johnstown Council, No. 72, Royal and Select Masters; and Holy Cross Commandery, No. 51, Knights Templar. He is a deacon of the Congregational church, and a member of the Eccentric Club. He married (first) Alice Judson, who died March 11, 1875. He married (second) Marion L. Judson, born April 24, 1848, died 1902. He married (third), in 1905, Dorothy Ingerson. Children, all by second wife:
- Alanson J. Baker, born April 14, 1877; married, June 9, 1904, Grace Argersinger (see Argersinger). Children:
- Marian, born April 23, 1905;
- Catherine, January 11, 1908;
- Margaret, August 23, 1909.
- Mary Atherton, married Dr. Christopher F. Chaffe, and has a daughter, Julia Louise.
- Alice M., married Grosvenor W. Heacock, and has a son, Grosvenor (2).