Durham, N. N. "Spokane and the Inland Empire; History of the City of Spokane and Spokane County Washington." Vol. 3. S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. Vol. 2. WILLIAM R. BAKER. Minnesota has contributed many of her most prominent sons to Washington, who have ably performed their part in the great work of redeeming the forest and prairie and building up the business, financial, educational and religious institutions of this state. Among the number may be named William R. Baker, who for nearly three years past has filled the office of cashier of the Bank of Colville. He is a native of Hastings, Minnesota, and was born August 20, 1876, being a son of Charles A. and Helen S. (Rogers) Baker. The parents were pioneers of Minnesota, arriving in that region in 1856 during the territorial days. The father died in 1890 and the mother passed away in 1909. William R. Baker, whose name stands at the head of this sketch, possessed advantages of education in the public schools of Hastings and later was a student for four years of the high school at St. Paul. In 1895 he went to San Jose, California, and engaged in fruit raising for nearly three years, coming to Colville, Washington, in 1897, where he was connected with the mercantile business for twelve years. He sold out January 1, 1909, and since that time has filled the position of cashier of the Bank of Colville, being also a member of the board of directors of that institution. He takes great interest in the study of financial matters and is now vice president of Group No. 1 of the Washington Bankers Association. He has attained a gratifying measure of success financially and is the owner of considerable real estate in Colville. On the 10th of September, 1902, Mr. Baker was married to Miss S. L. Cranney, a daughter of Thomas Cranney, and they have two children, William R., Jr., and Clement C. The father of Mrs. Baker was very prominent in earlier years in Washington. He was a member of the territorial legislature and of the state constitutional convention, also holding many county offices. In 1 8714 he served as deputy grand master of Masons of Washington. Mr. Baker also is greatly interested in the Masonic fraternity and has held most of the important offices in the various branches of the order in Washington. He is past master of Colville Lodge, No. 50, F. & A. M., past high priest of Colville Chapter, No. 20 R. A. M., of Colville; Spokane Council, R. & S. M.; a member of Cataract Commandery, No. 3, K. T.; Oriental Consistory, No. 2, Scottish Rite Masonry; and El Katif Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He served as representative to the Grand Lodge in 1901, filling the office of chairman of the committee on representative expenses. He was junior grand warden of the Grand Lodge in 1906 and in June, 1909, was elected grand master of Masons of the state of Washington, a position which he occupied with great acceptance to members of the order for one year. He served as grand patron of the Order of the Eastern Star of Washington from 1901 to 1905 and is now a member of the Association of Past Grand Masters. In addition to his activities as a Mason he holds membership in the Odd Fellows and the Woodmen. Politically he is an adherent of the republican party, whose principles he believes to be of great importance in the promotion of the prosperity of the country. He has served as delegate to state and county conventions but has declined all political offices except that of postmaster at Colville, to which he was appointed by President Mc- Kinley in 1900 and reappointed by President Roosevelt, filling the office to the entire satisfaction of the people until 1909. He was proffered the position of deputy bank examiner of Washington but declined this and other offices, preferring to concentrate his attention upon his business. He is a sincere believer in the Christian religion and is a member of the Congregational church of Colville. In the discharge of his many responsibilities Mr. Baker has shown an energy and clearness of judgment which have reflected upon him and his associates the highest credit. A man of genial nature and pleasing address, his friends are numbered by the legion and, as he is known to be true to every trust, it requires no prophet to foretell his advancement to any position in the financial or business world to which he may aspire. ******************* Submitted to the Washington Biographies Project in May 2015 by Diane Wright. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.