The Biographical Dictionary and Portrait Gallery of Representative Men of Chicago, Milwaukee and the World's Columbian Exposition

              BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY.
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and improved his opportunities for study and re¬ search in the celebrated hospitals of European countries. Returning to Milwaukee much im¬ proved in health, he resumed his practice, which has been eminently successful. His life has been faithfully devoted to his profession, and all hours and days have been alike to him in his generous sympathy towards suffering humanity. Promi¬ nent in all the state and local medical organiza¬ tions, Dr. Marks has kept In touch Avith the more advanced progress of surgery. He has little time to pursue original literary work, but has written largely on the modern subjects of surgery. Essentially a practitioner in the broadest sense, his position in the community is that of a great conservator of the public health, the trusted ad¬ visor of the family, and the ever generous helper of the poor.
He is a member of the American Medical As¬ sociation, also of the American Surgical Associa¬ tion. He is president of the State Board of Health, president of the  Pension Board  of  Med¬
ical Examiners, a member, and was president of the Wisconsin State Medical Society, a mem¬ ber of the Wisconsin Academy of Science, Art and Letters, surgeon-in-chief of the Chicago, Mil- Avaukee and St. Paul Railroad system, surgeon of the Wisconsin Central and of the Milwaukee and Northern Railroad Companies. He has been surgeon of St. Mary's Hopital since 1864.
As an uncompromising Republican, he is thor¬ oughly in sympathy with it on the great issues of the day.
In 1867 Dr. Marks married Miss Theodora Smith, a niece of General Franklin Smith, of W^aterville, Maine. They have no children, but have brought up two nephews ; one is a lawyer practicing in Colorado, and the other is a grad¬ uate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York. Dr. Marks is not a member of any religious denomination, but is a generous giver to the church. His Christianity is of that liberal type, founded upon humanity and charity towards all.
T.  L.  BAKER,
MILWAUKEE, WIS.
THE biography of him Avhose name appears at the beginning of this sketch, Illustrates the possibilities that are open in this country to earnest, persevering young men, who have the courage of their convictions, and are determined to be the architects of their OAvn fortunes. And Avhen judged by Avhat he has done, as well as by Avhat he Is, he is Avorthy a place among our repre¬ sentative and successful men. He is a son of William F. and Elizabeth (Sperry) Baker, and Avas born in Ncav York city on June 6, 1824. His parents Avere both descendants of the early settlers of Manhattan Island. His mother was a member of an old Knickerbocker family, promi¬ nent in the early history of Manhattan. Her father's farm Avas located in Avhat is noAv the very heart of Ncav York city, the site of the Astor Library noAV occupying a portion of the original homestead. After his death this tract of land, which is now Avorth more than ten million dol¬ lars, was sold for twenty thousand dollars. The old homestead Avas the scene of many interesting
events, and many of the most eminent characters of the old colonial and early republican days graced its portals.
The subject of this sketch, after receiving his education in his native city, obtained employ¬ ment in the wholesale dry-goods house of Messrs. Brown & Dimock. There he soon m.astered the rudiments of the business, and gained the confi¬ dence of his employers. In 1846 he removed to Milwaukee, and entered into the wholesale and retail dry-goods business, associated with Mr. Henry P. Peck, under the firm name of Peck & Baker. This business was successful, and the trade of the ncAv firm amounted to the enormous sum, for that time, of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars per annum. About ^wq years later, Mr. Baker sold his interest in the business to his partner, who shortly afterward died. At the request of Mr. Peck's widow, Mr. Baker con¬ sented to act as administrator of her deceased husband's estate, on condition that all of the credi¬ tors would sign his  bond.    He  personally inter-