The Press., 1897-05-20
tsnrinrfneld Repuhlican.N


 Death of .wm. K. Baker, of Springfield.
 William Kingsley Baker died at his home at HE Spring street Tuesday after noon after a very brief illness with pleuro- pneumonia. The death Is surprising in It's suddenness, and its news will be hard ly credible to many who but a few days ago saw Mir. Baker pursuing his regular business. The day before he was taken i'll, he was at the bank at usual. His ill., ness came in the form of a slight indis- position Q week ago and 1t was at first thought that 1t was a mere affection of the chest muscles. Later,, however, it developed into what was thought to be pIeurisy and in a day or two more pleuro- pneumonia set in its worst form, both lungs being affected. In the death of Mir. Baker Springfield loses one of her: best citizens. He was known throughout the city as a conscientious and upright busi- ness man. The latter part of his life had been devoted largely to the management of. the Chester W. Chapln estate, in which he has been remarkably zealous and luu6oAL6hs nAAs L0AOh "oho ~ member .of the First church and was much interested in philanthropic affairs, to which he was a liberal contributor.
 Mfr. Baker had been connected with many important business enterprises, having been for many years previous to his death president of the Chapin national bank. MT. Baker was nearly 80 years old at the time of his death. He was born in Stafford Springs. September %, 1917, and being the oldest son of Henry Church and Eunlce Kingsley Baker. In his youth he attended school at Ellington and Ashford. At .17 be went to work in the country store at Somers, and after that went with Chester W. Chapin and Stephen c. Bemis into a country store on Chicopee street. He then went into Col David NJ. Bryant's store at Chicopee Falls and after kept dry goods store on hls own account in New Bedford.
 In 1S42 he married Martha M. Watson at her home In Canton. Soon after their marriage Mir. Baker went into business enterprises in other cities until 1850, when he became postmaster for the Agawam Canal Co.. which afterwards became the Agawam paper company. Three years company and at this time he became the confidential clerk of MT. Chapin.
 Mir. Baker was active in the founding in 1872 of the Chapin banking and trust company, a state bank, which later be- came the Chapin national bank. Chester W. ChapIn was the first president of the banking and trust company and MT. Baker was vice-presIdent. The institu- ton became e national bank in 1879 and at the death of MT. Chapin in 1883 MT. Baker became president and held that position up to the time of his death. He was also instrumental in organizing the Collins paper company at North Wilbra- ham and since that time had been treas urer of that corporation He was presi- dent and director of; the Bemis & Call hardware and tool company, director and clerk of the Agawam paper company and the oldest director in the Mutual fire as- surance company. While a stanch re- publican he was not very active in politics. In 1863 he was alderman from ward 3,but this was the only political office he ever held.
 Mir. Baker was the oldest of five brothers, two of whom died in early man. hood. Another, Gilbert H. Baker, died at Stafford Springs In 1887, and the last, Charles A. Baker, is now living in Fall River. MT. Baker leaves a widow and one son, Henry K. Baker, president of the Springfield foundry company. His grandchildren are William F. Baker and Miss Rose Baker.