Murray M. Baker | |
---|---|
Born | Murray Morrison Baker 1872 Alton, Illinois, USA |
Died | August 5, 1964 Peoria, Illinois, USA | (aged 91–92)
Known for | First Executive VP of Holt Manufacturing Company |
Spouse |
Mary Lyman (
m. 1904) |
Children | 3 |
Murray Morrison Baker (1872–1964) was the first executive vice president of Holt Manufacturing Company that became Caterpillar Tractor Company. [1]
Baker owned a home at 1222 W. Moss in the West Bluff neighborhood of Peoria, Illinois. [2] He married Mary Lyman of La Grange, Illinois in 1904; she died in 1957. [3]
Baker was a farm implements dealer. [4] He worked with Deere and Co. in St. Louis in 1890. [3]
In 1908, the Colean Co., a steam-powered tractor firm went bankrupt and its plant went up for sale. [2] [5] [6] [7] Baker alerted Pliny Holt of Holt Manufacturing Company to the opportunity. [2] [8] [9] [5] [10] Baker joined the Holt Manufacturing Company in 1909 and became vice president and general manager. [2] [7] Baker helped the company secure military contracts during World War I, which helped the company grow four-fold. [2]
In 1917, he was involved in building a seven-mile stretch of Illinois Route 116 in East Peoria. [2] [9] During World War II, he advocated for a new bridge over the Illinois River between Peoria and East Peoria. [2]
Baker worked at Caterpillar until 1927. [2]
Baker also influenced R.G. LeTourneau to bring his business to Peoria in 1935, at the Avery Manufacturing Co. site on NE Adams Street which is present-day Komatsu plant. [2] [11]
Baker served on the Caterpillar Board for over 40 years, from 1925 to 1957. [2]
Baker contributed funds to Bradley University, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Proctor Hospital, and Methodist Hospital. [2] [3]
Baker died at the age of 92. [3]
The Murray Baker Bridge, which carries Interstate 74 over the Illinois River, was named for Baker in 1956. [3] The bridge was dedicated on Dec. 12, 1958. [12]
Baker Hall, former home of the Foster College of Business Administration at Bradley University, was named for Baker and demolished in 2017. [13] [14]
Murray M. Baker | |
---|---|
Born | Murray Morrison Baker 1872 Alton, Illinois, USA |
Died | August 5, 1964 Peoria, Illinois, USA | (aged 91–92)
Known for | First Executive VP of Holt Manufacturing Company |
Spouse |
Mary Lyman (
m. 1904) |
Children | 3 |
Murray Morrison Baker (1872–1964) was the first executive vice president of Holt Manufacturing Company that became Caterpillar Tractor Company. [1]
Baker owned a home at 1222 W. Moss in the West Bluff neighborhood of Peoria, Illinois. [2] He married Mary Lyman of La Grange, Illinois in 1904; she died in 1957. [3]
Baker was a farm implements dealer. [4] He worked with Deere and Co. in St. Louis in 1890. [3]
In 1908, the Colean Co., a steam-powered tractor firm went bankrupt and its plant went up for sale. [2] [5] [6] [7] Baker alerted Pliny Holt of Holt Manufacturing Company to the opportunity. [2] [8] [9] [5] [10] Baker joined the Holt Manufacturing Company in 1909 and became vice president and general manager. [2] [7] Baker helped the company secure military contracts during World War I, which helped the company grow four-fold. [2]
In 1917, he was involved in building a seven-mile stretch of Illinois Route 116 in East Peoria. [2] [9] During World War II, he advocated for a new bridge over the Illinois River between Peoria and East Peoria. [2]
Baker worked at Caterpillar until 1927. [2]
Baker also influenced R.G. LeTourneau to bring his business to Peoria in 1935, at the Avery Manufacturing Co. site on NE Adams Street which is present-day Komatsu plant. [2] [11]
Baker served on the Caterpillar Board for over 40 years, from 1925 to 1957. [2]
Baker contributed funds to Bradley University, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Proctor Hospital, and Methodist Hospital. [2] [3]
Baker died at the age of 92. [3]
The Murray Baker Bridge, which carries Interstate 74 over the Illinois River, was named for Baker in 1956. [3] The bridge was dedicated on Dec. 12, 1958. [12]
Baker Hall, former home of the Foster College of Business Administration at Bradley University, was named for Baker and demolished in 2017. [13] [14]