W. B. BAKER, Huntington, Indiana.
The subject of this sketch is one of the Erie's oldest and best firemen, who was recently promoted to engineer. He was born in Bronte, Province of Quebec Canada, in August, 1865, where his father was engaged in railroad construction work. Mr. Baker left school at the age of 13 and was apprenticed to the shoe-making trade. He served three years learning his business and then worked three years as a journey-man. Then for a while he worked as a sailor between numerous ports on the Great Lakes, quitting that life finally to enter the railroad service.

His first work in this line was as brakeman for the Chicago & Grand Trunk, and in 1887 he severed his connection with this company and began work on the Chicago & Atlantic as fireman. He fired with credit five years on freight runs and four years on passenger, and in 1896 passed a high examination and was immediately promoted to engineer. The three years he has been running freight between Chicago and Marion has demonstrated that he is as thorough in his new position as he was in his old, and time will prove him to be one of the best engineers on the Erie road.

In 1894 Miss Rilla A. Willoughby, daughter of a prominent farmer near Huntington, joined her fortunes with that of the rising young fireman. Their married life has indeed been happy, and one child, Marie, a bright little, 3-year-old, has come to gladden their hearts. Mr. Baker is a man of sterling worth, and engages the friendship of all with whom he comes in contact. He is a member of the I.0.0.F. and the B. of L. E.

Excerpted from: "American Locomotive Engineers, Erie Railway Edition," H.R. Romans Editor; Crawford-Adsit Company Publishers, Chicago, IL 1899.

From the April, 1935 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
William B. Baker, 69, veteran Marion Division engineer, who began as a fireman in 1889, died at his home, 406 Cherry Street, Marion, March 6th (1935). He was a mason and a member of the Engineers' Brotherhood.

Surviving with the widow are two daughters, Mrs. Willard Linton of 127 Carhart Street and Mrs. Walter O'Malley of Elyria; one sister, Mrs. Lucy Martin of Wadena, Saskatchewan, Canada; and one brother, John Baker of Chicago.

Also:
W.B. Baker, yard engineer at Marion, died March 6. He was born at Bronte, Canada, August 10, 1865, and entered Erie service Oct. 7, 1889.