History of Detroit, a chronicle of its progress, its industries, its institutions, and the people of the fair City of the straits, / by Paul Leake ... [Vol. 3]

HISTORY OF DETROIT

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On October 14, 1884, Mr. Adams was united in marriage to Miss
Dorothy Hughes. Mrs. Adams was born in Ireland. She died April
10, 1902, and her remains are now at rest in Mt. Olivet cemetery. As
a result of this happy union there were born to them four children:
Isabelle A. is a talented artist who lives at home with her father. Mary,
who married A. J. McLaughlin, of London, Ontario, is the mother of
five children, namely, Theodore, Hubery, Ruth, Isabelle and Catherine.
Ella married R. F. Reaume, of Detroit, and is the mother of three children-Mary, who married Thomas H. Doyle and is the mother of two
children, Ritchie R. and Mary; Richard F.; and Veronica. John J. is
living at home. The family are all members of the Catholic church.
ALFONSO BAKER. One of the finest defenders of her lives and property that Detroit ever had is the present captain of the central precinct
and deputy superintendent of the police force, Captain Alfonso Baker.
He has been a member of the Detroit police force for twenty-eight years
and has risen to his present position, not through pull but through merit
and sheer force of character. In addition to the physical strength and
personal bravery that all members of the police force should possess he
is also morally brave, and his reputation for honesty and uprightness
in these days of graft and crookedness among those who are supposed to
be the guardians of the public welfare, is of priceless value.
Alfonso Baker was born in Rochester, New York, on the 18th of
July, 1849, the youngest son of Richard Baker and Adelaide (Leake)
Baker. His parents were old settlers of Dutchess county, New York,
his mother being a native of the county, and his father coming hither
shortly after his arrival in the United States, a frightened little boy, come
from the far off lowlands of Holland. Richard Baker served in the Civil
war, being a member of General Banks' expedition and participating in
a number of important engagements.
An interesting story is related concerning Alfonso Baker and his early
enthusiasm for anything that bordered on the military. He was a little
chap of twelve at the time of the Civil war, but war was in the air; he
heard nothing else and his youthful heart burned with the desire to do
something for his country. Knowing that in order to go to the front
one first had to get the authority, he made his way to a recruiting office
in Rochester and slipping through the crowds of men that had gathered
in the place, he was presently standing before the sergeant's desk.
Here he announced in his high. child's voice that he wanted to go to
the front. The big sergeant laughed down at him, "My lad, you're
too small!" he said. A bit taken aback, size didn't seem to matter so
much when he was sure he could do just as much for his country as
could lots of bigger men and he proceeded to explain that he could
beat a drum even if he couldn't shoulder a musket, and shoot a rifle,
and that drummer boys could sometimes help the soldiers a lot when
things were going wrong and they were terribly discouraged. His
earnestness and the ardor in his little voice won the sergeant's heart,
and he said that he would accept his offer of enlistment Drovided his
father gave his consent. This was out of the question. for the lad's
father was far in the southland, fighting even then for Old Glory, buit
he was then told that if his grandfather with whom he was living would
give his consent, he could go to the front. But the old gentleman. who
was the only one left on the farm, was adamant. for, having willinelv
riven all the others to the cause, he felt that this his youngest should he
left to him. Therefore the brave contain has no military record. and who
knows what this record might have been. for in other walks of life, he has
given such evidence of courage. fidelity and devotion to duty.