William Matteson Baker (b. Jan 31, 1863, d. Jul 21, 1926)
Wm. Mattison Baker, 20 yrs.
William Matteson Baker31 was born Jan 31, 1863 in Hamilton, Madison Co., NY, and died Jul 21, 1926 in Oneida, Madison Co., NY.
Notes for William Matteson Baker: CENSUS: 1870 Census: M593-967: Lenox Twp, Oneida Village,Wm. Catharine, 3 children. 1880 Census:T9,960: 1254860 ED 51, Sh7-end, Madison Co, Hamilton Twp. Catharine (Simmons) Baker 44 yo, Wm. M. 17 yo bankclerk, Alice 15, Martha 10. 1900 Census:T623, roll 1072, Madison Co, Oneida Village. William M. b.Jan 1864, 36 yo, NY. Lives in Oneida on Main Street Fannie E. Aug 1808, NY, 36yo; Harold W. b.Feb.2889, NY, 11 yo; Everett L. b. May 1891, NY, 9yo; Walter C. b.Mar.1893 NY, 7 yo; Kenneth b.Oct 1895,NY,4yo; Mary K(athryn) 1 yo, NY,; Carrie White, b.Feb.1880, NY, 21 yo (servant?) 1910 Census:(lived at 141 Main St.Oneida)47yo,Fannie 47yo,Harrold W.21yo,Everet L. 18 yo, Walter C.17yo, W.Kenneth 14yo, all born in NY. Cousin Clinton R. Baker and wife Edith lived at 10 Main St, Oneida.41yo,b.NY. 1920 Census
FAMILY: In August, 1884, Mr. Baker married Miss Fannie E. Wallace, daughter of the late Dr. Jason T. Wallace of this city. She died August 1, 1925. Of their children, four survive: Harold Wallace Baker, superintendent of the public works of Rochester; Everett L. Baker, at home; Walter Cummings Baker of New York City, who is traveling in Europe and is now on the Riviera; and W. Kenneth Baker, field representative of the Oneida Community, Ltd., in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Baker is the last of his father's family."( from obituary)
RESIDENCES: Lived at 322 to 141 Main St. all his life. The City of Oneida changed all addresses of all homes in about 1916 so 141 was changed to 322 at that time. (Letter to U.S. Military requesting records of B.Simmons and Gideon Ormsby address on his letter in file).
OCCUPATION: Mr. Baker's greatest achievement is the new Florence Creek soft water system which he, more than any other one man, conceived and unswervingly carried to its present construction. He has been president of the water commission during all of this work , and has guided it with consummate ability and ceaseless devotion. THe Florence Creek project stands today and will continue to stand as a monument to his unselfish and public spirit service. In honor of him and what he has done, his physician, Dr. Lee S. Preston, offers the timely and appropriate suggestion that the new reservoir on the Drake Farm, be named Baker Reservoir. Mr. Baker was very active in the First Presbyterian Church.(Joined First Presbyterian Church of Oneida, 4 Mar 1881;FEW joined 9-4-84). In politics he was a Democrat, and was elected supervisor of the Second Ward for two or three years. (from obituary)
OCCUPATION: Manufacturer Wagon Gears, owned own home free of mortgage, did not serve in military, was not blind or deaf.
OBITUARY: William M. Baker, president of Oneida Water Commission, founded the Oneida's water system. He was in the dry good business and served Oneida all his life. He was an active Presbyterian (1st Pres.), a Democrat, and a supervisor of the Second Ward for 6 years. He is buried at Glenwood Cemetery near Oneida (5-92 jkb). Madison County Historical Society was given his obituary on 5-92 jkb.
OCCUPATION:DEATH: Wm M. Baker's obituary from Oneida Newspaper reads: "William M. Baker, president of the Oneida Water commission and one of the city's most prominent and respected citizens, died suddenly at his home, 322 Main St, at 11:30 today (12 July 1926). Mr Baker was one of the most active and progressive men that Oneida ever numbered among her citizens. From the time he was a young man, he was always interested in local civic affairs and contributed generaously of his time and ability to the welfare and improvement of the community. He served one term as village trustee and three years as village president and was largely instrumental in replacing the old Warner water works under the control of the village, personally attending to floating the bonds that consummated that deal. He also took steps to discharge the Ontario & Western debt, built sewers, but in ornamental drinking fountains, agitated the question of all-night electric lights, began paving the village streets, and was chairman of the committee which secured the city charter under which he served as superintendent of public works. During his administration, Main Street as well as Madison and Phelps streets, were paved with brick.
BURIAL: Buried Glendale Cemetery, NY, Madison Co, Oneida Town, Internment #6303, Feb.5,1934, Grave #3, New J, Plot 9: Undertaker, Torrey & Lamphere. Death certificate from City of Oneida. and pk.
PROBATE: FHC Film #0409610,copied William H. Baker's probabe of will.Filed.
Letter from Howard D. Williams, 60 Broad St, Hamilton, NY 13346, dated 25 Mar 1982 to Mrs. Thomas L. Hoy (Sallie), 25 Pershing Road, Glens Falls, NY 12801: Dear Mrs. Hoy: Your letter of 17 March to the Town Clerk of Hamilton, NY has been referred to me as Town and Village Historian. Your request for a birth certificate for William M. Baker is impossible to fulfill since government agencies in New York State did not require registration of biirths until the 1880s. I do have other information, however, which may be use. // The direct proof that William M. Baker was the son of William H. Baker is found in the probate records for his esate in the Surrogate's office at the county seat, Wampsville, Madison Co, NY. The will of William H. Baker, 27 May 1872, shows that his legatees were: Catharine Baker, wife; Sophia Baker, mother; Eliza, sister; Richard Baker, brother; and his minor children; Willaim M. Alice L. and Martha L. The petition for payment of legacies, filed 5 Dec. 1873, shows that William M. Baker, his son was under 14 years of age, the other children minors, and that his mother was dead. // According to the DEMOCRATIC UNION (newspaper) of Oneida, NY, of which William H. Baker was publisher, issues of 13,20 June 1872, he died in the 42nd year of his age at his residence in Oneida, 15 June 1872 after a protracted illness. He was born in Decater, Otsego County, NY, 1830. His printing career began on the Washingtonian News, a temperance publication edited by his father, the Rev. Mattison Baker, in Utica, From 1851 to 1852 he was one of the publishers of the Cazenovia Gazette. Subsequently he was with the Daily Observer and the Daily Gazette, both of Utica. He came to Hamilton in 1857 and began publishing the Democratic Union which he removed to Oneida in 1863. (I might add that this paper still exists. The issues I consulted are in the Oneida County Historical Society, Oneida. There was no possibility of the photocopying the obituary).//Enlosed is an obituary from the Democratic Republican of Hamiton, 20 June 1872, which is in the Colgate University Library.//The DAR cemetery, Church and Town Records, NY State Series, Vol. 182, p. 118, a copy of which is in the Hamilton Public Library, gives the following information on burials in the Baker lot in the Woodlawn cemetery (Hamiton): William H. d. 15 June 1872 age 41 years/ Catherine, his wife, 17Nov. 1836 - 7 May 1893; Martha Lovi, 1st wife, d. 30 Aug 1857, ae 25 yrs; Frankie d. 16 Feb 1858 age 18 mos./ Freddie M. d. 26 Feb. 1860 ae 9 yrs 10 mos.// The probate papers for William M. Baker are also to be found at the Surrogate's Office in Wampsville. He died in Oneida 21 Jul 1826. His will, dated 8 Jan. 1926, left his estate to his four sons: Harold Wallace, Rochester//Everet L. Oneida//Walter C. N.Y City// W.Kenneth, Dallas TX. and the children of a deceased son.// I trust this material is helpful. //Sincerely yours, Howard D. Williams, Town and Village Historian (Hamilton, NY). (this letter in BAKER file, from Sally Baker Joy, 2-03)
More About William Matteson Baker: Burial: Jul 1926, Glenwood Cemetery, Oneida, NY. Cause of Death (Facts Pag: 1926, heart disease.
More About William Matteson Baker and <Unnamed>: Marriage: Aug 06, 1884, Oneida, Madison Co, NY.
Children of William Matteson Baker are:
Everett Lamott Baker, b. May 15, 1891, Oneida, Madison Co., NY, d. 1974, Hemet, Hemet Co., CA.
William Matteson Baker (b. Jan 31, 1863, d. Jul 21, 1926)
Notes for William Matteson Baker: