Bio: William Madison Baker M.D., Bienville & Claiborne Parish,
Louisiana
Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville,  1890
Submitted by Gaytha Thompson
Date: Aug 1998


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WILLIAM MADISON BAKER, M.D.

William Madison Baker, M.D., is well known as a leading and
successful physician and surgeon of the town of Arcadia, La., and
although this place has been his home for some time, he was born in
Claiborne Parish, La., November 19, 1852, the eldest of a family of
five children, the other members of the family being: John H. (Who
is married and a cotton planter of Claiborne Parish, la.); J. E.
(Who is married and also follows the same occupation there); Sallie
(wife of Col. J. W. Nicholson, president of the State university at
Baton Rouge); and Early (who died in infancy).  The parents of
these children were Georgians, the former being a cotton planter,
and during the latter part of his life a merchant.  He is still
living, and is a resident of Arcadia, but since his wife's death,
at the age of fifty three years, he has been a widower.

The early education of Dr. Baker was obtained in the common
schools, but he completed his literary knowledge in Arizona, La.,
when Prof. Nicholson, now president of the State University, was
principal, the institution being known to all native Louisianan, as
the best in the State at that time. He left this school to take up
fully the study of medicine, which he had already begun, and began
reading under the renowned Dr. James M. Scaife, his uncle, being
fitted in 1872 to enter the medical department of Tulane
University, where he took a full course, graduating in 1874, in
class of about sixty five, receiving a diploma in all the different
phases of medicine and surgery.  He at once began practicing at
Arizona, Claiborne Parish, near his old home, and here he remained
until 1886, during which time he became widely known as a physician
of far more than ordinary ability and intelligence.  Since that
time he has resided int he town of Arcadia, engaged as a pharmacist
exclusively the last few years, his line of drugs being very
complete, and his establishment handsomely appointed.  All the
property that he now owns has been acquired through his won energy,
tact and ability, for on starting in life for himself he had no
means.

He was married November 29, 1874, to Miss Eugenia M. Jordan who
was born in Lee County, GA, January 22, 1854, a graduate of Homer
Masonic Female college, of which Prof. Wilcox was president,
completing her education in 1872.  To the Doctor and his wife the
following children have been born: Lou Annie, (an attendant of the
Female College of Arcadia); Clara W. (Also in that institution);
Willie Clyde (deceased), Talmage, Sallie and Archie. The doctor and
his wife prepare their children for college entrance, and do not
believe in bringing children too early into school work.  Mrs.
Baker is a thorough scholar and a practical instructor, which is
very fortunate for her little children.

The Doctor has always been a Democrat, and has always endeavored
to cast his vote for men of honor and integrity.  He belongs to
Arcadia Lodge No. 126, F.&A.M. and also is a member of the K.of P.
Lodge.  He and his wife are earnest members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church South, and are deeply interested in Sunday school
work, the Doctor teaching a class of the representative young
ladies of the town.  His home in Arcadia is an ideal one, and here
true hospitality is extended to all, rich and poor alike. He is a
member of the board of education of Arcadia, of the E.A.S. Male
College, and of the Arcadia Female College, and is also a city
councilman.  He and his wife expect to make their future home here,
for here their interests are centered, and here have sprung up
around them numerous friends.