Edward J. Baker
| Edward J. Baker | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
September 30, 1868 St. Charles, Illinois, United States |
| Died | January 17, 1959 (aged 90) |
| Occupation | Farmer |
| Spouse(s) | Harriet Rockwell Baker |
| Children | Henry Rockwell Baker |
| Parent(s) |
|
| Signature | |
 |
|
Colonel Edward John Baker was an American philanthropist from St. Charles, Illinois, regarded highly for his generosity toward his hometown.
Col. Baker was born in St. Charles on a farm west of town to parents Edward and Martha Baker. His father, Edward Baker, was born in New York, but located in Kane County when young.
Col. Baker attended the west side school in St. Charles until he was nineteen years of age. Having an upbringing on a farm, he considered himself to be "first and foremost a farmer."
He attended Bryant & Stratton Business College in St. Louis for one year, taking a commercial course, and subsequently clerked in a hardware store in St. Charles and was connected as a part of the St. Charles Mercantile Company for one year.
At the end of that time he was appointed Inspector of Grain and Railroad as well as being made Warehouse Commissioner by Governor John Riley Tanner. Col. Baker served that position for a period of ten years under the Governors Tanner, Yates, and Deneen, until his resignation in July 1907.
Col. Baker chose not to pursue any career endeavors following 1907—but represented the Republican Party of Kane County, partook in local charities, and harbored a great interest in horse racing.
Baker was married to Harriet Rockwell, daughter of H.T. Rockwell, in St. Charles in December 1889.
Baker's sister, Dellora, married John Warne Gates in 1874. He was nicknamed "Bet a million" Gates because of a 1900 race track bet for which he actually won $600,000. Rumors raised the sum to $1 million. Gates was said to be willing to wager on anything, including which of two raindrops would trickle down a pane of glass first. Gates sold barbed wire, invented by Joseph Glidden and eventually started his own company to manufacture it. He also ventured into the steel industry. Gates' oil investments led to his founding the Texaco Oil Company. Upon Gates's death in 1911, his fortune was left to his widow, Dellora, and son, Charlie.Charlie Gates died in 1913; Dellora died in 1918. Dellora willed the fortune to her brother, Edward J. Baker of St. Charles, and her niece Dellora Frances Angell.
He was commissioned by Governor Ruby Laffoon of Kentucky as part of the Honorary Order of Kentucky Colonels, of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, in 1935.
Greyhound, Baker's famous trotter, he purchased as a yearling in 1933. Greyhound was the winner of seventeen international records during his racing career.
...
Wikipedia