William Baker
Politician. Populist. Born: April 29, 1831, Washington County, Pennsylvania. Died: February 1, 1910, Lincoln County, Kansas. Served in U.S. House of Representatives, 6th District: March 4, 1891, to March 3, 1897.
Born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, on April 29, 1831, Baker graduated from Waynesboro College in 1856 and subsequently taught in the common schools. He removed to Iowa in 1859 and served as principal of the Council Bluffs public schools. Baker studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1860 but did not practice, and returned to Bealsville in Washington County, Pennsylvania, in 1865 to engage in mercantile pursuits. He removed to Lincoln County, Kansas, in 1878, where he engaged in agriculture and stock raising. A leader of the Farmers' Alliance movement, Baker was elected to Congress in the Populist (People's Party) tidal wave of 1890 and served three terms (served, March 4, 1891-March 3, 1897); he was not a candidate for renomination in 1896. After leaving office in March 1897, Baker returned to Lincoln and his agricultural pursuits until his death on February 1, 1910.
Entry: Baker, William
Author: Kansas Historical Society
Author information: The Kansas Historical Society is a state agency charged with actively safeguarding and sharing the state's history.
Date Created: June 2011
Date Modified: July 2012
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