John H. Baker, M. D., one of the forcible citizens of Piqua, has always used his fine medical talents in the furtherance of what he has conceived to be for the best interests of the city, merging the two characters of citizen and physician into a high personal combination which has been generally recognized as an example well worthy of emulation. Doctor Baker was born on a farm in Reading township, Perry County, Ohio, a son of Daniel and Sarah E. (Frank) Baker. On the paternal side his grandmother was a member of the noted Wingard family of Colonial fame at Philadelphia, and when Gen. George Washington made that city his home, was one of his close neighbors. Daniel Baker was a native of Perry County and a son of John Baker, who came from Philadelphia and entered land in Perry county, where he passed his life as an agriculturist. His son also took up agriculture, with which he continued to be associated during the active period of his career, and was likewise prominent and active in local political affairs, and for some years served as a member of the board of county commissioners. Daniel and Sarah E. Baker were the parents of seven children: Dr. W. E., a physician; Dr. John H.; R. F., a druggist of Somerset, Ohio, whose son, John H., served in the American Expeditionary Forces during the great war; W. D., a banker of Somerset, Ohio, whose son Ray, served in the army during the great war; Mrs. S. Barr, of Somerset, Ohio; Mrs. Catherine Arnold, of Robinson, Ill., and Mrs. Martha Kerr, of Marysville, Ohio. John H. Baker attended the public schools of Perry county, following which he pursued a course at the Ohio State University and then went to Starling Medical College for his professional training. At the time of his graduation he located at Piqua, where he is now in the enjoyment of an excellent business and is known as one of the thoroughly informed and capable men of his community. Doctor Baker is a member of the various organizations of his profession and stands high in the confidence of his professional brethren. He married Helen Constance Castle, born at Leavenworth, Kans., daughter of Patrick and Mary (Downs) Castle. The latter was the daughter of the noted, Capt. W. J. Downs, a pioneer boat captain on the old waterway and a riverboat captain running on the Ohio river between Cincinnati and New Orleans. During his early manhood he was likewise a civil engineer of some reputation in this community. Patrick and Mary (Downs) Castle had the following children: Geraldine, now Mrs. M. T. McEnery, of Dublin, Ireland; Helen Constance, who is now Mrs. Baker; and William D., of Chicago. Doctor and Mrs. Baker are noted for their unostentatious charities, and during the war period were active in their support of various war measures.