Alachua-Hillsborough-Dade County FlArchives Biographies.....Baker, William Emery 1880 - 
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 June 29, 2010, 4:35 pm

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William Emery Baker

    Born and reared in Florida, William Emery Baker took up life's duties as a
school teacher, but the legal profession proved more attractive, and resuming
his studies, he prepared himself for the bar, of which he is an honored and
successful member. Mr. Baker was born at Thonotosassa, in Hillsboro county,
Fla., February 12, 1880.

    He comes of old pioneer stock, his family having lived in North Carolina for
many generations. His grandparents on his father's side came to Florida in 1842,
and settled near Brooksville. His father was Thomas J. Baker, a dentist, and his
mother was Mary Eliza (Rigby) Baker. As a boy, Mr. Baker attended the public
schools, and from 1894 to 1896 he was a student at the Florida Conference
College at Leesburg. For a year after leaving this institution he was a teacher
in the Dade City High School, but at the end of the session decided to complete
his own education. During 1898 and 1899 he attended the Young Harris College, in
Georgia, from which he graduated in 1899. He then entered the John B. Stetson
University at DeLand, Fla., and took a three years' course, graduating in 1902,
with the degree of L. L. .B. He was admitted to the bar and began the practice
of law at Plant City in 1903. After a year's experience there he removed to
Gainesville, where he has since made his home, and established himself in his
profession at the bar, building up an excellent practice, and taking a prominent
part in the public affairs of his community.

    Mr. Baker has always been a close student of history, philosophy, and the
best orations, and in lighter literature is partial to Stevenson, Riley and the
popular writers of the day. Politically, he is a Democrat, and in religion, a
member of the Methodist Church. In addition to church and party he is a member
of the Free and Accepted Masons, belonging to the Blue Lodge and the chapter; a
Knight of Pythias, a Knight of the Modern Maccabees, and a member of the
Patriotic Order of Sons of America. He believes the best interests of the State
would be served by the development of her natural resources and the upbuilding
of the character of her citizens by means of improved educational advantages,
and greater moral and religious training. In this connection he favors the
holding forth of attractions only to the most desirable class of immigrants, and
the barring of the undesirable class.

    He believes that in the nation there is an urgent need for immediate action
in the destruction of all monopolies, and the regulation of trusts of every
kind, including organized labor. There should be a return to the principles upon
which the constitution was founded, more faithfulness of the people to
established institutions, and general extension among the uninformed masses of
knowledge as to our form of government and its underlying principles.

    Mr. Baker was married June 27, 1903, to Sabina Colson, a daughter of Perry
M. and Laura Colson, of Gainesville, Fla. They have two children, viz.:
Elizabeth and Mary Baker.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

FLORIDA EDITION
MAKERS OF AMERICA
AN HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL WORK BY AN ABLE CORPS OF WRITERS
VOL. II.
Published under the patronage of
The Florida Historical Society, Jacksonville, Florida

ADVISORY BOARD:
HON. W. D. BLOXHAM          COL. FRANK HARRIS
HON. R. W. DAVIS            SEN. H. H. MCCREARY
HON. F. P. FLEMING          W. F. STOVALL
      C. A. CHOATE, SECRETARY
1909
A. B. CALDWELL
ATLANTA, GA.


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