He was born in York County, Pennsylvania, in 1844/1845. [sources: date: 4 (19 in 1864), 6 (15 in 1860). place: 4]
He may be the Joseph Baker who in 1850 was living with Joseph and Elizabeth Baker in York County, Pennsylvania. [source: 5]
In 1860, Joseph was still living with Joseph and Elizabeth Baker in York County. He was an apprentice to a blacksmith, and had attended school within the last year. [source: 6]
When he enlisted, he was a blacksmith. [source: 4]
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 6-3/4 inches tall, and had a dark complexion, gray eyes, and black hair. [source: 4]
He enlisted and was mustered into service on 20 January 1864. He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Stretch. He served as a private in company A. [sources: 1, 4, 7]
In May or June 1864, he lost one Springfield rifle musket and a bayonet. [source: 2]
On 22 June 1865, he went on a furlough, which expired on 2 July 1865. [source: 3]
He was absent without leave at muster out. He was a private, in company A. [sources: 1, 7]
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster)
2 letter, Lentz to Bennett, 16 July 1864
3 enlisted men's furloughs (Joseph Baker)
4 company A descriptive roll, entry 125 (Joseph Baker)
5 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, York County, Warrington Township, microfilm series M432, film 840, page 410 verso = [814] handwritten (Joseph Baker)
6 1860 US census Pennsylvania, York County, Warrington Township, page 761 = 95 handwritten (microfilm series M653 roll 1201) (Joseph Baker)
7 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Joseph Baker)
| line | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| Dwellings visited | 1386 | ||||||||
| Families visited | 1389 | ||||||||
| Name | Joseph Baker | Elizabeth | John | Levi | Lewis | Susana | George | Joseph | Solomon |
| Age | 41 | 44 [sic] | 16 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 1 |
| Sex | M | F | M | M | M | F | M | M | M |
| Color | |||||||||
| Occupation of males over 15 years | Black Smith | ||||||||
| Real estate owned | 700 | ||||||||
| Birthplace | Penn | ||||||||
| Married within year | |||||||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Over 20 & can't read/write | |||||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| Dwelling number | 690 | ||||
| Family number | 690 | ||||
| Name | Joseph Baker | Elizabeth - | Joseph - | Solomon - | Mary A. Sowers [?] |
| Age | 51 | 47 | 15 | 11 | 26 |
| Sex | m | f | m | m | f |
| Color | |||||
| Occupation | Blacksmith | Printice [?] to Black | |||
| Value of real estate owned | 1800 | ||||
| Value of personal estate | 500 | ||||
| Place of birth | Do [sc. Penna] | Do | Do | Do | Do |
| Married within year | |||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | 1 | |||
| Cannot read & write | 1 | ||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |