There are few states in the union where enterprise is better appreciated or industry more liberally remunerated than in Michigan. This is especially true of that portion of the state known as the northern part of the southern peninsula, wherein is located the fertile and productive county of Wexford. Youth and inexperience is no bar to success in that favored region, and it is nothing uncommon there to encounter beardless boys at the head of enterprises of such magnitude as would deter old veterans from undertaking them in more conservative sections of the land. James H. Baker, of the firm of Phelps & Baker, millers and produce dealers of Manton, is a splendid specimen of the shrewdness, tact and commercial foresight which can be displayed in this part of the country by a lad who had scarcely attained his majority. In the year 1889, when barely twenty-one years old, he took upon himself as proprietor the care and operation of a flouring-mill at Manton, with all of the business management incident to the conduct of such an enterprise, and has attained an enviable success in each and every department of his undertaking.

James H. Baker was born at Dorr, Alegan county, Michigan, October 16, 1868. His parents were Henry M. and Catherine (Butcher) Baker, the former being by occupation a machinist and millwright. He came to Manton in April, 1882, and for about seven years operated the flouring-mill at that place. In 1889, on account of failing health, he was obliged to retire from active business, which, however, did not improve his physical condition and he died March 18, 1892, being then in the fifty-seventh year of his age. His faithful wife is still living, residing with her children, in Manton. To them six children were born, of whom the subject of this sketch was the oldest child and only son.

The early years of the life of James H. Baker were spent in his native county and did not differ materially from the youth of other lads of the same age and time, except that he had acquired a very thorough knowledge of all the common school branches of learning at an early age. Under the tuition of his father he applied himself to securing a knowledge of machinery and milling. When the father first came to Manton his son accompanied him and during the seven years that the parent operated the mill there the boy was his constant attendant and helper. When the physical condition of his father compelled him to retire in 1889, so well had the son learned his lessons in mechanism that he easily stepped into his parent's place, and the operation of the mill and the business connected with it went on without a stop or friction. In 1892 the subject formed a partnership with C. D. Phelps, under the firm name of Phelps & Baker, and from that time to the present they have conducted a very successful business, year after year increasing their patronage and steadily adding to their capital.

July 3, 1897, James H. Baker was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Newland, a native of Ohio, born June 3, 1869. Her parents were Richard and -------- Newland, who were among the early settlers of Manton. Having assumed new and very important responsibilities, the subject applied himself to the business of his choice with a keener zest. They not only rebuilt the old mill, but in 1900, to accommodate their increased patronage and that they might have a manufacturing plant that is strictly up to date, they erected an entirely new mill on the most improved plan, with the very latest machinery and most improved processes and with a capacity of seventy barrels daily. The old mill they still retain intact, and it is almost constantly in operation on rough grinding, meal, feed etc. The capacity of both mills will exceed one hundred barrels daily. In the summer of 1902 the firm embarked in the produce business. They established a large warehouse at Manton, and buy and ship all kinds of produce. The business is yet in its infancy, but everything indicates that their success in this new line will be all that they could desire. In the conduct of all of his affairs Mr. Baker is strictly business-like; no detail, no matter how trivial, escapes his attention, and each and every department of the business, under his care and direction, glides along as smoothly as the machinery of his mills.