Joseph R. Baker, merchant of Dyersburg, Tenn., engaged in his present business in 1874, in partnership with William Wadkins, the firm being known as Wadkins & Baker, until 1876, when Mr. Baker became sole proprietor and managed the business alone for three years. In 1879 J. W. Baker, his brother, and Z. G. Wadkins became his partners, and from that date until the present the firm has been known as J. R. Baker & Co. Joseph R. Baker was born December 25, 1843, in Robertson County, Tenn.; son of Morgan W. and Elizabeth (Hurt) Baker, the former born in Smith County, Tenn., in 1813, but was married in Sumner County. After keeping a hotel in Carthage for some time, he moved to Robertson County, and began farming. He afterward lived in Gibson and died in Dyer County, April 29, 1871. He was a son of John Baker, a North Carolinian, who was a very early settler of Smith County, Tenn. Our subject's mother was born in Davidson County, Tenn., in 1814, and died in 1879. Joseph R. is one of twelve children, the following of whom are living: George T., Joseph R., James W., Frank C., Harris L., Edward H., Hamilton M. and Calvin A. Joseph R. was educated in the common schools of Dyer County, and he and his brothers, George T., James W., and Frank C. were Confederate soldiers during the late war. They enlisted in 1861 in Company K, Fourth Regiment Tennessee Infantry, and were in the battles of Shiloh, Chickamauga, Atlanta, Dalton and numerous severe skirmishes. At the battle of Shiloh, Joseph and James were wounded, the former in the knee, and the later in the hand. In the summer of 1863 Joseph R. was captured and was kept a prisoner at Cairo about six months. He rejoined his command and served until the surrender of Richmond. He worked two years on a farm, and in 1867 came to Dyersburg, and hired as clerk to P. E. Wilson & Co., at $300 per year. In 1871 he hired to Doyle & Wadkins for $600 per year and his board, and in 1874 purchased an interest as above stated. He is a Democrat and is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.