Jon Baker is officially retired, as of September 5th, from the Time Reporter after a 41-year journalism career.
A 1979 graduate of Claymont High School, Baker went on to earn a journalism degree.
“I was always interested in writing, so my high school advisor recommended I go into journalism. Went to Kent State University and graduated in 1984.”
He interned at the Uhrichsville Evening Chronicle before his first appointment with the Cambridge Daily Jeffersonian.
“I was there for four years and then I transferred to the Times Reporter in 1988 and worked there for two and a half years, and then I got a job at the Youngstown Vindicator, and I worked there for 14 years. I returned to the Times Reporter in 2006.”
Baker is known for his historical column having started publishing those in 1988 following a recommendation by a co-worker. He reflected on one of those articles.
“One of my favorites, which actually helped my column, was the legend of Early’s Church. It was a church located south of Newcomerstown on the Tuscarawas-Guernsey County line and there was this great legend involved with this church.”
Baker says he’s looking forward to having free time, but he’ll still be active in the community and with the Tuscarawas County Historical Society. Another way is through a scheduled talk at the Tuscarawas County Public Library on November 11th about the building of Interstate 77 through Tuscarawas County.
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