William Eli Baker

American judge

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

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.

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 .