Baker, John W. (1850–1931)

John W. Baker, lawyer and county official, was born in Lexington, Kentucky, on November 30, 1850, the son of Amanda (Saunders) and John Holland Baker. He attended private schools and graduated from Waco University (later Baylor University) and the Jesuit College of St. Louis (later St. Louis University). Baker read law in the offices of Coke, Herring, and Anderson and entered into private practice in Waco. He married Louise Brown in 1875, and they had five children. Baker was named county clerk of McLennan County in 1876 and held that office until 1892. He was county treasurer in 1893–94 and then served as sheriff for ten years. He became a county judge in 1904 but returned to private practice in 1908. He resumed his duties as county clerk in 1912 and continued in that position until his death, on November 23, 1931.