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View Tree for Wm McKinley BakerWm McKinley Baker (b. 20 Jul 1898, d. 16 Jun 1977)


Picture of Wm McKinley Baker
Wm(Bill) & Evangeline Baker

Wm McKinley Baker (son of William Thomas Baker and Josephine Melissa Bivens) was born 20 Jul 1898 in Madison Co, AR, and died 16 Jun 1977 in Madison Co, AR. He married Evangeline Veroucchi on 03 Oct 1928 in Arkansas.

 Includes NotesNotes for Wm McKinley Baker:
Wm (Bill) left Madison County soon after finishing grade school to seek his fortune in Tulsa, OK,
where he got work in Tulsa with a music shop. While working there, he learned the instrument
known as the Hawiian guitar, and this with his ability to play the banjo, and dancing, carried Bill
all the way to Broadway and a long career with the "Arkansas Travelers", or Weaver Brothers.

On his way to Vaudeville and radiio fame, Bill organized his own musical group called the "Baker
Brothers and Sisters" consisting of his brother Toby, and Sisters Sara and Faye Baker.
Bill made his first professional appearance in the Pulaski Theatre in Little Rock in 1921.

Music was in his family, hs father played the fiddle, and his mother the accordian.

Bill returned to Arkansas after the death of vaudeville, and the Bakers played for years all over
Arkansas. He worked the regional circuit, and opened a store and cafe on Hwy 23 in Madison County. His wife Evangeline Verrucchi, was the queen of the 1927 Tontitown Grape Festival.

He continued to travel with politicians on tour, and kept his hand in show business.

His brother Toby Baker often played music with him. They traveled the state of Arkansas, entertaining
many. One of the songs he was especially known for was "Barefoot Days"

In 1977 Bill killed himself with a shotgun at the family residence, which is located on the "Pig Trail"
a canopied highway in Arkansas, traveled by many U of A Students to this day.

Sadly, his grandaughter Patricia also committed suicide after her father Ralph Baker drowned.

More About Wm McKinley Baker:
Burial: Unknown, Brashears Cemetery in Madison County.

More About Wm McKinley Baker and Evangeline Veroucchi:
Marriage: 03 Oct 1928, Arkansas.

Children of Wm McKinley Baker and Evangeline Veroucchi are:
  1. +Patricia M Baker, b. 05 Mar 1933, d. 11 Feb 1991, Madison Co, AR.
  2. +Ralph Francis Baker, b. 01 Sep 1938, Madison Co, AR, d. 05 Jan 1998, St Paul, AR.
  3. Barbara June Baker.
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