BIOGRAPHY: Baker, William Thurlow
From the A.T. Andreas Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa, 1875

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	Colonel WILLIAM THURLOW BAKER, OF Decorah, is a native of Kent, 
England, and was born September 26, 1824. He is a son of Dr. John Baker, who 
was a surgeon in the British army and had a family of five sons, all of whom have 
been in the service in British, India. One of them (John Baker) after receiving an 
education at King's College, London, came to this country in 1853, and during 
the war of the Rebellion served three years in the Ist Iowa Cavalry.
	Four of the brothers are at present residing in Decorah, and engaged in 
business. The second brother, Edward, owns property in this vicinity, but is 
residing in India, where he holds an office in the British civil service.
	Colonel Baker came to Decorah on a visit to his brother in 1864, and was 
so well pleased with the healthiness of the climate and the enterprise of this 
young and vigorous city, that he was induced to remain and cast his lot with the 
citizens. He was then directly from India, where he had held important positions 
in the British service. At twenty years of age he was staff officer of a general 
division, and afterwards, received the commission of brigade major and assistant 
adjutant general; and on the annexation of Punjab, was appointed assistant 
commissioner, invested with magisterial and judicial functions, under Sir John 
Lawrence, Governor General of India. During the Sepoy mutiny he raised and 
commanded a regiment, which he held till he finally retired from the service in 
1864.
	On first arriving in Decorah, Colonel Baker engaged in real estate and 
insurance business. In 1869 the Winnesheik Manufacturing Association was 
organized, and he became Secretary and one of the Directors. He is still 
Secretary, Director and Treasurer, though the name of the association was 
changed to The Decorah Woolen Mill Company, in 1873.