CHARLES E. BAKER, President of the Evergreen City Business College, of Bloomington, is a graduate of Evansville Commercial College, and has been mainly instrumental in bringing it to its present prosperous condition. He is a gentleman of fine education and good business capacity, having the rare faculty of adapting his attainments to practical uses.

Mr. Baker is a native of Indiana, and was born in Knox County, July 13, 1852. His father, Nathan Baker, a farmer by occupation, still resides in Knox County, Ind. His mother, who was formerly Miss Lucretia Wyant, was a native of Illinois, and died in 1855, at the home of her husband in Knox County, Ind. Of their three children only one is living, the subject of this sketch, who was the youngest of the family.

The boyhood of Charles E. Baker was mostly spent upon his father's farm, his primary education being carried on in the schools of his native county. After graduating from Evansville College he became book-keeper for the firm of French & Co., with whom he remained two years, and was then tendered the position of Assistant Principal of Crescent City Commercial College at Evansville, which position he occupied eighteen months.

He came to Bloomington in the summer of 1874, and was soon afterward elected to his present position. The school, which was then in its infancy, under his efficient management has become one of the important institutions of McLean County, and since its establishment has enrolled over 2,000 students, 100 of whom are now prominent and useful citizens of Bloomington, occupying various positions among its business and industrial interests.

The marriage of President Baker and Miss Lyda Beck was celebrated in 1872. Mrs. B. is a native of the Prairie State, and by her union with our subject has become the mother of four children, two sons and two daughters—Cora, Clarence, Maude and Walter. Mr. Baker is Secretary and a prominent member of the Independent Church of Bloomington, assisting greatly in its Sunday-school work, and contributing of his time and means toward its maintenance and prosperity. He is also identified with the Knights of Honor as their Secretary, and is an active and efficient brother.

Portrait and biographical album of McLean County, Ill. : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biographies of all the governors of Illinois, and of the presidents of the United States.  (Chicago:  Chapman Brothers, 1887), 398.  Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards.  Please link to this page if you find it useful – and drop us a note if you do!