His Early Life
1842 - 1869
Nelson Henry Baker was born in Buffalo, N.Y., on February 16, 1842. At the time, the city served as a major port on the Great Lakes and an important stop on the Erie Canal en route to the American frontier. Boasting a population of 20,000, Buffalo boomed with prosperity and immigrants who were headed West. Some of these immigrants, like Lewis Baker, Nelson's father, established businesses in this thriving city. And it was Lewis, the grocer, who instilled in young Nelson an acute business sense-- one Nelson would need time and time again in the many years ahead. Nelson's mother, Caroline, a devout Irish Catholic, filled the boy with a deep love of the Catholic faith.
Nelson was still young when he enlisted to fight in the American Civil War as part of the 74th Regiment of the New York State militia in early July of 1863. Just hours later, his unit was ordered to march to the Pennsylvania - Maryland border. Within days, Nelson would become one of tens of thousands of men the Union utilized in one of the most violent battles of all time, Gettysburg.
When the 74th Regiment had finished its mission on the Pennsylvania front, the remaining soldiers were immediately ordered to New York City to quell bloody draft riots which had broken out. After successfully completing that grim mission, Nelson Baker and his unit returned home to Buffalo, as its term of enlistment (30 days of active duty) had expired.
Shortly after his return, Joseph Meyer, a close friend of Nelson's, suggested that the two establish a business partnership. The 21-year-old Civil War veteran, responsive, but not enthusiastic, explained to the surprised Meyer that he was considering becoming a priest. Finally, though, Nelson accepted his friend's proposal and the two began what eventually became a highly successful feed and grain enterprise.
As the years went by and his business became more and more profitable, Nelson began to give what he could to those who were less fortunate, ever mindful of the call to priesthood he continued to hear. In 1868, at the height of his business' successes, Nelson told Meyer that he would continue their partnership for one more year, while he conducted priestly studies at night.
Filled with anxiety and self-doubt, Nelson decided to take a trip on a steamer ship along the shores of the Great Lakes during the summer of 1869. The trip would allow him to clear his head and come to grips with the crossroads he had arrived at. It would be a voyage that would change Nelson's life and the lives of countless others forever . . .
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