Source:
Evansville and its Men of Mark
Edward White, Editor. Evansville, Ind.
Historical Publishing Company, 1873.
Pages 16-18

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      Of all the leading men whose energy and ability have been potent in building up the Crescent City and advancing its interests, it is fair to say that none take rank before the Hon. William Baker.

      He was born in Hamilton, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, on the 11th of February, 1813. His father. Conrad Baker, was a farmer, and was noted for his enterprise and public spirit. The Bakers were of German origin; and the intermarriage of Conrad Baker with Mary Winterheimer infused, also, a commingling of the Scotch-Irish element with the German stock- her mother being of German and Scotch-Irish descent.

      His early education was obtained at a little log school by the road-side, not far from the boundary of his father's farm. This, however, was only of short duration: as, in his thirteenth year, he entered the store of George Eyster, of Chambersburgh, Pennsylvania, and served him for about three years. This experience in that establishment, no doubt, laid the foundation of his business character and his habits, so marked in after life. Before leaving the village, wishing to improve his mind and add to his limited education, he attended a Latin school, at Chambersburgh, for about six months: and this was the last instruction William received at school.

      In his eighteenth year he went to the village of Bridgeport, in his native county, and was employed by Martin Hoover as a clerk in his store. He remained with Mr. Hoover nearly three years, during which time he formed the acquaintance of Miss Nancy Beam, whom he married in 1833, a few months before he attained the age of twenty-one years.

      While residing at Bridgeport, he studied surveying and civil engineering, under the instruction of Major James McDowell, and became a good practical surveyor. In 1834, he commenced farming on the old homestead, as his parents were dead - the father having deceased in 1818, and the mother the year previous. During the Winter of 1834-5, he taught a country school in the neighborhood, not far from the farm, In the Fall of 1835, he sold the property and opened a general store at St. Thomas, in the same county. In 1837, he moved to Loudon, a village in the same county, and, in company with Daniel Mowrer, his brother. in-law, conducted a woolen mill and store for about four years. He then formed a partnership with John Beaver, in the manufactory of iron, and managed a furnace and forge, owned by Mr. Beaver, for nearly two years. While engaged in the latter enterprise, he established the Loudon Savings Fund Association; and was Treasurer of the same till his removal to Evansville.

      In the year of 1839, while actively engaged in business, Mr. Baker devoted his leisure hours to the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in 1842. His practice soon became very large and lucrative. In 1847, `48, and `49, he was elected to represent his native county in the lower house of the Pennsylvania Legislature, and soon obtained a reputation as one of the leading and influential members of that body. He continued to practice law in his native village until 1853, when he removed to Evansville, where his brother Conrad had taken his residence, in 1841.

      Soon after his arrival he was chiefly instrumental in organizing the Crescent City Bank, of which he was elected cashier. A considerable portion of the stock was taken by his old neighbors in Pennsylvania, on the strength of the assurance that he was to be cashier of the institution. Owing to the defective free-banking system, the affairs of the association were settled in 1858-9, without loss to the stockholders. In April, 1859, William Baker was elected Mayor of Evansville for three years, and held this position for three consecutive terms. In 1868, he was defeated for the same office by the late Hon. William H. Walker. Mr. Walker having died, Mr. Baker was, in November, elected to fill the vacancy. In 1871 he was again elected by a large majority, to a full term of three years - showing that his fidelity to the city's interests and business capacity were appreciated by his fellow-citizens. His official career was terminated only by his death, which occurred on the 23d of May, 1872: and thus died one of the brightest ornaments of that cluster of great men whose histories are indissolubly linked with that of the Crescent City.

      As husband and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Baker lived together nearly thirty-nine years; and while they have accomplished much good for the children of others, have never been blessed with any of their own. In 1837, he and his wife connected themselves with the Lutheran Church of St. Thomas, of which his parents were members. During their residence in this city they have been members of the Walnut Street Presbyterian Church.

      William Baker was noted, intellectually, for possessing a logical mind and sound judgment. His mechanical genius was very great, as also his aptitude with tools; and it is said that he never failed in any effort to construct anything of either wood, leather or iron.

      William Baker was a great man, in the true sense of the term; his motto was. "Anything that is worth doing at all, is worth doing well." The logical character of his mind would never permit him to slight the least important detail; and the conscientious fidelity to duty and the perfection of workmanship would force him to employ hour after hour in the silent watches of the night to labors which, to many, seemed of minor importance, but which he ever regarded as essential to the successful completion of the work in hand. His kindness to the poor was proverbial, and his feelings were easily aroused - either with pity for suffering, or indignation at injustice and wrong. He was an especial friend of the Public Schools, of which he, at one time, assumed the superintendency, in addition to his other arduous labors. William Baker's skill and energy have erected mounments which are enduring to his memory, in our system of sewers; most of our paved streets; many of our schoolhouses and other memorials of his faithfulness, prudence, and financial tact.