// Workers AI · dad joke modeWho's William E. Baker? A baker by name.

For the British Indian Army officer, see William Erskine Baker.

William E. Baker
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia
In office April 3, 1954 – June 4, 1954
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia
In office 1948–1954
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Harry Evans Watkins
Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia
In office April 4, 1921 – April 3, 1954
Appointed by	Warren G. Harding
Preceded by	Alston G. Dayton
Succeeded by	Herbert Stephenson Boreman
Personal details
Born	William Eli Baker (1873-02-25)February 25, 1873 Beverly, West Virginia
Died	June 4, 1954(1954-06-04) (aged 81) Beverly, West Virginia
Education	West Virginia Wesleyan College (B.S.) West Virginia University (A.B., LL.B.)

William Eli Baker (February 25, 1873 – June 4, 1954), frequently known as W. E. Baker, was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia.

Education and career

Born in Beverly, West Virginia, Baker received a Bachelor of Science degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College in 1893 and an Artium Baccalaureus degree and a Bachelor of Laws from West Virginia University in 1896. He was in private practice in Elkins, West Virginia from 1896 to 1921. He was special counsel to United States Senators Stephen Benton Elkins and Henry Gassaway Davis, both of West Virginia. He was also prosecuting attorney of Randolph County, West Virginia from 1900 to 1912.

Federal judicial service

Baker received a recess appointment from President Warren G. Harding on April 4, 1921, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia vacated by Judge Alston G. Dayton. He was nominated to the same position by President Harding on April 14, 1921. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 3, 1921, and received his commission the same day. He served as Chief Judge from 1948 to 1954. He assumed senior status on April 3, 1954. His service terminated on June 4, 1954, due to his death in Beverly.

During his career, Baker would serve on the Fourth Circuit panel that decided Bliley v. West, which struck down Virginia's 1912 white primary.

See also

• List of United States federal judges by longevity of service

Sources

• William Eli Baker at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.