The following is a biography of Edwin Baker, former Norwich Rotarian from A modern history of New London County, Connecticut; by Marshall, Benjamin Tinkham.
EDWIN HOWARD BAKER, JR., secretary and treasurer of the Shetucket Company, of Norwich, Connecticut, and prominent in civic and club circles in this city, is a son of one of the leaders in the cotton industry in New England.
Edwin Howard Baker, Jr., was born in Ware, Massachusetts, February 23, 1890, and was educated in the Hill School, of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, and Yale University, being graduated from the latter institution in the class of 1913, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. After completing his course at Yale, Mr. Baker went to New York City, where he was associated with Hallgarten & Company, bond brokers, for four years. With the coming of the World War, he was twice rejected for eyesight disability, but would not brook disappointment, and in May, 1918, sailed for Italy, with the American Red Cross Ambulance Service, as a private in Section 4, attached to the Fifth Army Corps, of the First Army. As ambulance driver he went to the Italian front at once, was under fire at Mont Grappa and the Camballia front. In August he was promoted to first lieutenant and placed in charge of the section. Between October 26 and November 11, 1918, during the final drive, Mr. Baker covered the entire front from Trent to Trieste, meeting with every kind of hardship. He was mustered out of the service in November, 1918, and the following month returned to the United States. In February, 1919, he came to Norwich, to become secretary and treasurer of the Shetucket Company, and still fills this dual office, and is also a director of the concern.
Edwin Howard Baker, Jr., is a member of the Norwich Chamber of Commerce; is a trustee of the Norwich Savings Society; and a corporator of the Dime Savings Bank of Norwich. Politically he supports the Republican party. He is a member of the Psi Upsilon fraternity; of the Elihu Club, of Yale; and of the Yale Club, of New York City; and also is a member of the Rotary Club, of Norwich.
On September 1, 1917, Mr. Baker married, in Greenwich, Connecticut, Lina Grant, of Brookline, Massachusetts, daughter of Lincoln and Sarah (Holmes) Grant, of Brookline. Mr. and Mrs. Baker reside in Norwich, and attend the Congregational church, of which they are members.