Transcribed by Mary Ann Kaylor

Page 1022

BAKER, WILLIAM G., a successful business man of Springfield, Ill., successor to the firm of Power & Baker, belongs to a family that has been well known in the city since an early day. His grandfather, Hiram Baker, was a native of New York State and was an early settler contractor and builder. He furnished Government supplies during the war and died at Jacksonville, Ill, where he had lived but a short time. William G. Baker was born in Springfield, December 27, 1878, son of William D. and Rachel (Howard) Baker, the former also a native of Springfield, born in 1857.

William D. Baker worked many years at the Illinois watch factory, where he became foreman and in later life worked twelve years as postal clerk on the Illinois Central road. He was killed in a railway accident in 1896, and his widow still resides in Springfield. Their children were: William G.; Fred, of Springfield; Ethel, Mrs. Arthur Koenigstein, of Fort Smith, Ark.; John and Roy, of Springfield.

William G. baker received his education in the public schools of Springfield and at the age of seventeen years took up the plumbing trade, serving as apprentice five years. He worked three years as journeyman and in 1901 formed a partnership with J. T. Power, buying his partner's interest five years later. He has secured many large jobs in his line and has won a reputation for expert work and high-class goods. He is a self-made man, having embarked in the enterprise with a small capital and built up his business by degrees, through good service and business enterprise. He is considered a man of reliability and honesty and his prospects for future business prosperity are very good.

Mr. Baker was married in Springfield, May 21, 1902, to Miss Nellie Whittaker, daughter of Simon and Sarah (Pendergast) Whittaker, of Springfield, and they have three children: Ethel, born in 1903, died September 30, 1910; Fred, born 1905; and William, in 1907.