Hugh Cossart Baker, Jr.

Hugh Cossart Baker, Jr.

Hugh Cossart Baker, Jr. , (b.9 December 1846 in Hamilton, Ontario Canada.- d. 18 March 1931) Businessman, telephone pioneer.cite book|title=Dictionary of Hamilton Biography (Vol I, 1791-1875)|first=Thomas Melville |last=Bailey|publisher=W.L. Griffin Ltd|year=1981]

On June 20, 1877, "Hugh Cossart Baker, Jr." started up the first commercial telephone service in Canada in the city of Hamilton, Ontario.cite web| title =Chronolgy of the Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Ontario| url=http://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/200/301/ic/can_digital_collections/cultural_landmarks/twps.html| accessdate = 2007-02-05] Then in 1878, he made the first telephone exchange in the British Empire. This was also the second telephone exchange in all of North America.cite web| title =Chronolgy of the Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Ontario| url=http://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/200/301/ic/can_digital_collections/cultural_landmarks/twps.html| accessdate = 2007-02-05] The following season on 15 May 1879 he made Hamilton the site of the first commercial long distance telephone line in the British Empire.cite web| title =Chronolgy of the Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Ontario| url=http://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/200/301/ic/can_digital_collections/cultural_landmarks/twps.html| accessdate = 2007-02-05] In 1880, (April 29) Hugh Cossart Baker, Jr. received a charter to build a national telephone company in Hamilton, Ontario. It was called the "Hamilton Telephone Company" and this was the charter that enabled the creation of the Bell Telephone Company in Canada. Hugh Cossart Baker, Jr. became the manager of the Ontario division until he retired in 1909.cite book|title=The Hamiltonians, 100 Fascinating Lives |first=Margaret |last=Houghton |publisher=James Lorimer & Company Ltd., Publishers Toronto|pg=6|year=2003|id= ISBN 1-55028-804-0] The first telephone had been leased to Prime Minister Alexander Mackenzie in September 1877. cite book|title=Dictionary of Hamilton Biography (Vol I, 1791-1875)|first=Thomas Melville |last=Bailey|publisher=W.L. Griffin Ltd|year=1981] Baker learned of Alexander Graham Bell's invention in 1877 at the Philadelphia International Exposition and from there decided to test the communication tool in Hamilton.cite book|title=The Hamiltonians, 100 Fascinating Lives |first=Margaret |last=Houghton |publisher=James Lorimer & Company Ltd., Publishers Toronto|pg=6|year=2003|id= ISBN 1-55028-804-0] He leased four telephones for himself and his chess partners and on August 29, 1877, the telephone replaced the telegraph as the means to discuss their chess moves.cite book|title=The Hamiltonians, 100 Fascinating Lives |first=Margaret |last=Houghton |publisher=James Lorimer & Company Ltd., Publishers Toronto|pg=6|year=2003|id= ISBN 1-55028-804-0] Baker is also credited with helping to create the Hamilton Street Railway Company, the Hamilton Real Estate Association and the Canada Fire and Marine Insurance Company - all before he was 30-years old.cite book|title=The Hamiltonians, 100 Fascinating Lives |first=Margaret |last=Houghton |publisher=James Lorimer & Company Ltd., Publishers Toronto|pg=6|year=2003|id= ISBN 1-55028-804-0]

His father, Hugh Cossart Baker, Sr. established the first life insurance company in Canada 21 August, 1847; the Canada Life Assurance Company. cite book|title=Dictionary of Hamilton Biography (Vol I, 1791-1875)|first=Thomas Melville |last=Bailey|publisher=W.L. Griffin Ltd|year=1981] cite web| title =Chronolgy of the Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Ontario| url=http://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/200/301/ic/can_digital_collections/cultural_landmarks/twps.html| accessdate = 2007-02-05]

External links

* [http://www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/libraryservices/gallery.htm Hamilton Gallery of Distinction: Hugh Cossart Baker, Jr.]

References


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