WILLIAM BAKER, capitalist, is prominently identified with the financial interests of Riley County, particularly of Manhattan, where he has a handsome residence, one of the finest of the many beautiful and cultured homes in the city, pleasantly located on the corner of Fourth and Houston streets. He is a native of Ohio, the town of Chillicothe, Ross County, his birthplace, and July 17, 1841. the date thereof. His father. James Baker, came of an old English family who was among the early settlers of Virginia, and he was born in the Shenandoah Valley in that State in 1817. His father, Joseph Baker, owned a farm there, which he carried on till 1822, when he moved to Ohio, settling on a tract of timber land in Ross County, the removal thither having been made with teams. Before his death he cleared a good farm, on which he lived in peace and prosperity many years.

The father of our subject was reared and married amid the pioneer scenes of the new home in Ohio, and when he established himself in life, he bought a tract of timbered land, and by years of well directed toil improved an excellent farm. He remained a resident of Ohio till 1866, and then selling his property near Chillicothe, he removed with his family to Missouri and purchased a farm in Saline County, where he still makes his home, respected and trusted by all as a man of true worth. His faithful wife and helpmate who aided him in building up their cozy home and is enjoying its comforts with him, was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1821, her maiden name being Harriet Schooley. Her father, William Schooley, was born in New Jersey, and he was one of the early settlers of Ross County, where he improved a farm from the wilderness, on which he lived the remainder of his life. The mother of one subject was carefully trained in all household accomplishments considered necessary to make a good housewife, and especially was she taught to card, spin and weave wool and flax, and for many years she made all the cloth used in the family. There were seven children born to her and her husband, all whom were reared to maturity; their names are as follows: William, Mary, Sarah, Emza. Kate, Ella and Minnie. The subject of this biographical review grew to manhood in his native county, and when not attending school assisted his father to clear away the trees of the primeval forest and improve the land into a well-tilled farm. He resided with his parents till his marriage. For some time he was engaged in the mercantile business in Ross County, in the town of Londonderry, establishing himself there in 1863 and continuing until the latter part of 1865. In that year he started on a tour through the Middle-Western States, and traveled in Iowa, Missouri and Illinois. In 1866 he removed to Missouri and bought a tract of rich, highly productive prairie land, which he improved, and then, with characteristic shrewdness and foresight, he invested in other lands till he had 665 acres, all finely improved and divided into three valuable farms. In 1883 he rented his property in Missouri, havin decided to make his home in Manhattan, and coming here he bought a residence on Leavenworth Street, which he has since sold and bought his present beautiful home, a fine brick house, of a handsome and substantial style of architecture and replete with modern conveniences, and here he and his family live in ease, surrounded by all tbe comforts and luxuries that the heart can wish for. Since taking up his residence here Mr. Baker has devoted his time to looking after his investments and other private interests, for although scarcely past the prime of life, he has accumulated wealth and is numbered among the most solid citizens of Riley County.

Mr. Baker and Miss Emza A. Walker were united in marriage Sept. 1, 1864, and their wedded life has been blessed by the birth of five children: F. W., Laura, James, Walker, and Cludie (deceased). Mrs. Baker was born in Vinton County, Ohio, and is a daughter of H. M. and Harriet Walker.

Mr. Baker's career in life shows him to possess uncommon energy, a determined will and steadfast purpose, combined with far-reaching sagacity and prudent judgment, so that he has always accomplished whatever he has attempted. Since his settlement in Manhattan he has watched the growth of the city with pleasure, and in identifying himself with its highest interests socially, morally and materially, he has done much to promote its welfare. He and his wife are people of high personal standing among the best people of the city, and they are zealous members of the Christian Church. Politically he is a stanch advocate of the Republican party, and he cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln.