Among the prominent practitioners of dental surgery in Davenport is Dr. Baker. He is a native of the city, a gentleman of broad education and first-class attainments. Born on the fifth day of January, 1859, educated in the public schools until he had reached his "teens," he completed his literary course in Iowa College at Grinnell, Iowa, and entered upon his dental studies in Philadelphia in 1881. However, before beginning the latter course he spent two years with Dr. Morgan, of Davenport, in the study of the profession in which he afterward engaged. He entered the dental department of the University of Pennsylvania and graduated in 1883 with high honors, at which time he was the president of his class.
From Philadelphia he went to Chicago and began the practice of his profession in the spring of 1883, remaining there nine years. While in that city he was connected with numerous dental societies, and was chosen lecturer of metallurgy and oral chemistry in the University Dental College. In addition to this honor Dr. Baker had a very large practice. During the latter part of his stay in Chicago, finding that his lectures interfered with his practice, he gave up the former and devoted his entire attention to his patients.
In November of 1883 he was married to Miss Lillian Merrill, who was a niece of his sister-in-law, Mrs. Dr. J. F. Baker, now a resident of St. Paul, Minnesota. Mrs. Baker, nee Merrill, visited her aunt in this city, and it was here that Dr. Baker met her. She had a sister, Miss Cornelia Merrill, who married B. J. Merrill, M. D., a resident of Stillwater, Minnesota, and a physician of large practice. Dr. Merrill, though bearing the same name as the lady whom he married, was no relation whatever to her, and had been a student with Dr. J. W. H. Baker (a sketch of whom appears elsewhere), the prominent physician of Davenport and father of the subject of this sketch.
Mrs. Baker's parents were Mr. and Mrs. Norman Merrill, of Cassville, New York. They afterward resided with their daughter and their sonin-law in Chicago. Mrs. Merrill died about four years ago, and Mr. Merrill still resides at the home of Dr. Baker in this city.
In the spring of 1892 Dr. Baker found an opportunity to exchange his practice and property in Chicago for the practice and property of a well-known dentist of Davenport, and he took advantage of it. He had a strong inclination to return to this beautiful Iowa city, not only because it was his native place, but because his parents earnestly desired it. Accordingly he established himself in Davenport, and has now a very large practice.
Dr. Baker is a Mason, a member of the order of Knights of Pythias and was for a year president of the Tri- City Dental Association, an organization in which he takes great interest and of which he was one of the chief organizers. He has devoted his time exclusively to the study and practice of his profession and has never sought public office of any kind.
Dr. Baker is a man of medium size, with dark hair and whiskers, a frank expression and attractive address. His manners are easy and his conversation pleasant.
Dr. and Mrs. Baker have one child-a boy-born November 1, 1894. His name is Norman Merrill Baker.
BIOGRAPHIES