| Notes |
- From "History of Oakland County, Michigan" by Thaddeus D. Seeley, 1912
Reared to agricultural pursuits, Wilson W. Baker began life for himself as a tiller of the soil, buying a part of the old Baker homestead, which he managed successfully until 1893, when he embarked in the grain business at Clyde, buying out Willoughby & Wallace. Building a new elevator, Mr. Baker built up a substantial trade as a dealer in grain and farm produce, continuing until 1901, when he disposed of his elevator. He has since confined his operations to the trading in farm produce, some seasons shipping as many as ninety car loads of potatoes, in 1911, however, handling but sixty cars of potatoes. During his entire residence in Clyde, Mr. Baker has also been engaged in mercantile pursuits of a different nature, handling hardware of all kinds, agricultural implements, wire fencing and farmers' supplies of every description, his trade along this line being large and lucrative. For two years he likewise kept a general store in Clyde, his business operations having been varied. Although his business interests occupy the greater part of his time Mr. Baker occasionally visits his cottage at White Lake, where he takes much pleasure in fishing, and for the past thirteen years he has visited Northern Michigan each fall on a hunting expedition, and has in his house many trophies which tell of the good success he had on his trips. True to the political faith of his ancestors, Mr. Baker is a Republican. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons, in which he has taken the Knights Templar degrees; of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has passed all the chairs, and has also served as a delegate to the Grand Lodge; and of the Woodmen of the World. Mr. Baker has been twice married. He married first, October 24, 1882, Bertha Clark of Livingston county. She died in 1900, leaving three children, namely: Raymond C., engaged in business at Salem, Oregon; Earl W., a professional ball player, belonging to the Louisville team, American Association; and Celia M., living at home. Mr. Baker married, second, July 3, 1901, Miss Edith Gordon, who was born in Oakland county, a daughter of Robert Gordon, formerly of Rose township, but now residing at Holly, and they have one child, Anson R. Baker.
|
1860 - 1928 (68 years)
