Nathaniel Baker graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy and Harvard University, subsequently passing the bar in 1842. Early in his career, he held various roles in New Hampshire, including Clerk of the Merrimack County Court of Common Pleas and Speaker of the New Hampshire House of Representatives. Baker served as the 24th Governor of New Hampshire and later transitioned to Iowa, where he was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives and served as Adjutant General of the Iowa Militia during the Civil War. Post-war, he continued to engage in military affairs and environmental initiatives, including efforts to combat a grasshopper infestation in Iowa.

Nathaniel Baker's political identity is marked by an intriguing blend of regional pragmatism and ideological flexibility. His legislative record during the Missouri Compromise and Kansas-Nebraska Act shows a departure from standard Democratic positions, hinting at a nuanced stance on slavery. Baker's military career, particularly his role in the Civil War, reveals a surprising dedication to both Union and Confederate preservation efforts, showcasing a complex approach to regional and national conflicts. His involvement in combating the grasshopper infestation in Iowa further illustrates a commitment to practical problem-solving, even in the face of personal health risks.