The Biographical Dictionary of America/Baker, Benjamin Webb

BAKER, Benjamin Webb, educator, was born in Hutton, Ill., Nov. 25, 1841; son of John B. and Sarah E. (Adams) Baker; and grandson of Matthew and Samantha (Town) Baker of Massachusetts, and of John and Harriet S. (Webb) Adams of New York and Maryland. He lived on a farm until 1861, and from a child aided in the support of the family. He enlisted in the 25th Illinois volunteer infantry, 1801; was wounded several times, and was honorably discharged in 1865. He was graduated from the state normal school, Normal, Ill., in 1870; was principal of the grammar department of that school, 1866-'70, and was graduated from the Illinois Wesleyan university, Ph. B., in 1874, receiving his A. M. and Ph. D. degrees in course. He joined the Central Illinois conference in which he served, with the exception of two years in Denver, Col. (1881-'83) until 1898. He was presiding elder of Streator district, 1885-89; financial secretary of the Illinois Wesleyan university, 1890-93; president of Chaddock college, Quincy, Ill., 1893-98, and president of Missouri Wesleyan college, Cameron, Mo., from 1898. He received the degree of D. D. from Chaddock college in 1898, and was a trustee of Illinois Wesleyan university, 1888-'98.