Norwich bulletin., 1909-01-08
OBITUARY.
William {. Baker.

William Edwin Baker died suddenly
at has home, No. 90 Highland street.
Hartford. at 500 Thursday morning
Shortly before O'clock he was seized
with an attack Of heart failure on
retiring Mr.. Baker had complained of
feeling chilly but he was apparently
otherwise III his usual health IN
June it bad been discovered that Mr..
Baker add a slight affection Of the
heart and since July he had been I'M
der DR.. Porter's care, but it had not
been supposed that Mr.. Bakers con-
ultiOu was at all alarming az present
Mr.. Baker was born in Montville
oct. q, 1880, son of Abisha Alden
Baker. and was in the ninth generation
Of descent from John and Priscilla ~
Gen of the Plymouth colony, inniOr-
taiized in Longfellow's poem. At
very early age ne removed to Colches-
ter and was educated at the famous
Bacon academy. He went to Hartford
as a young man and entered the en-
plOy of John Gorton Smith. an old
tihle dry goods merchant who kept an
establishment known as the Long
Brick Store. lOCa,ed next north of the
site of the Sisson store. After few
years he became engaged in the map
publishing business and later ne con-
Quoted a carpet business.
In 1852 Mr.. Baker entered the in
surance business as secretary of the
City Fire Insurance company Of Hart
ford He was in 1854 made president
Of the company. The great Chicago
fire Of 1871 forced the company to re-
insure, and Mr.. Baker, wishing a mere
active life, was appointed special
agent for the Home Insurance COM
pany Of New York city in which posi-
ton he served for twenty years, at the
same time building up a local agency
IN Hartford which is among the most
prosperous agencies in the city today.
The agency represents the Connect
cut Fire Insurance company locally,
which position Mr.. Baker assumed
about fifteen years ago. Large Eng
lish companies are represented in the
agency. Mr.. Baker took his son.
George W. into partnership in 1892
and the firm has been conducted uu-
der the name Of William +. Baker &
Son.
Mr.. Baker was d Free Mason. hav-
ing Joined q New London lodge Hc
was a member Of the South Congle-
gati0naI church and was for many
years chairman Of the committee Of
the church. For a period of ten years
he was chairman of the South school
district committee He lived at No
1877 Park street for forty years. till
his remON al to Highland street in West
Hartford in December, 1897, when his
beautiful home vas completed.
Politically Mr.. Baker was Il republi-
can, but in recent years he, had paid
little attention to political matters.
Mr.. Baker was in business distin-
guished by shreWGness and good iudg-
ment and he continued in business I'M
til the last He also possessed lovable
qualities Of heart which endeared him
to his friends and neighbdrs He was
especially attached to his home and
his family, a devoted husband and ia
Their. In church work he had been
active and reliable.
Dec II, 1857, Mr. Baker married
Miss Mary A. Smith. dsughteI( OF
Thomas Smith Of Colchester The if
tieth anniversary Was celebrated at
their home.
Mr.. Baker leaves, besides his wife,
a daughter, Gertrude Eleanor. and a
son. George William He is survived.
too, by q brother, Alden \. Baker, Of
Colchester