United States Army, Captain, World War I. Oscar L. Baker, birth date 2/15/1888 in Beaumont, residence in Caldwell, Burleson County. Remarks: Croix de Guerre with gilt star, dated 4/3/1919, with the following citation: "An officer of great bravery. He led his men on during a long advance, encouraging them by his boldness and intrepedity. He reached all the objectives that had been assigned to him." FamilySearch Texas, World War I Records, 1917-1920 (Texas Military Forces Museum, Austin).
"Captain Baker enlisted in the Texas National Guard in 1910, became a Second Lieutenant in 1913, and in 1916 was made First Lieutenant. After serving on the Mexican border in the 141st Infantry, he went overseas to captain the 142nd Infantry during the World War. In a French hospital when the Armistice was signed, Captain Baker was awarded the Croix de Guerre and the decoration of the Purple Heart. He was discharged with honors from the army in 1919 with the rank of Captain." Memorial, November 1940, p. 507. Texas Bar Journal.

Other Resources

Oscar L. Baker, birth date 2/15/1888, death date 9/28/1940 about 25 miles north of Orange, Jasper County; attorney. Burial in Evergreen Cemetery, Orange. FamilySearch Texas Deaths, 1890-1976.
Oscar D. Baker (1860-1935), burial in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Burnet, Burnet County. Includes photo, biographical sketch: "Oscar (or O.D., as he was called) . . . was in the Texas House of Representatives and served at the same time as one of his sons, Oscar Lindsey Baker." Find a Grave.
Obituary, "Capt. Baker, 52, Dies in Orange: Stark Official Succumbs at Ranch Near Buna," 9/29/1940, pp. 1, 13. Died 3:30pm on 9/28/1940. Port Arthur News.

Photographs

Photograph. O.L. Baker, 39th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. O.L. Baker, 38th Legislature, State Preservation Board

Composite Photographs on Display in the Capitol

38th session composite photo of House members (House chamber gallery, south wall. 3W.2). State Preservation Board.
39th session composite photo of House members (3rd floor back hall, east wall. 3W.C1). State Preservation Board.

Committee Information top

39th R.S. - 1925 Conservation and Reclamation (Vice Chair) Enrolled Bills Game and Fisheries Highways and Motor Traffic
38th R.S. - 1923 Conservation and Reclamation Criminal Jurisprudence Oil, Gas and Mining Revenue and Taxation State Eleemosynary and Reformatory Institutions

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