Walter Joseph BAKER

(b. 12 December 1904 , Warwick, Rhode Island, USA d. 3 December 1963 , Richmond, Rhode Island, USA )

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Walter Joseph BAKER was born 12 December 1904 in Warwick, Rhode Island, USA

Walter Joseph BAKER was the child of George Edward BAKER and Exilda ROBARGE (ROBERGE) and the grandchild of: (paternal) John BAKER and Jane DAVIS (maternal) François (Frank) (Francis) ROBARGE (ROBERGE) and Abbie Odina BONNEAU

Spouse(s)/Partner(s) and Child(ren):

Walter Joseph married Blanche Rose DUHAIME abt. 1925 . The couple had (at least) 6 children.
Blanche Rose DUHAIME was born abt. 1906 in Rhode Island, USA. Blanche Rose died abt. 1997 Blanche Rose was the child of Alexis (Alex) Joseph DUHAIME and Aldéa DANIS dite TOURANGEAU.

Walter Joseph BAKER died 3 December 1963 in Richmond, Rhode Island, USA .
Details of the family tree of Walter appear below.

A Glimpse into the Everyday Life of the Average American Man in the Mid-1900s

Family and Children of Walter Joseph BAKER

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Walter Joseph BAKER married

Blanche Rose DUHAIME-- Date: abt. 1925 Place:
Blanche Rose DUHAIME was the child of Alexis (Alex) Joseph DUHAIME and Aldéa DANIS dite TOURANGEAU

Children of Walter Joseph BAKER and Blanche Rose DUHAIME:

Blanche Rose BAKER (b.16 October 1925, West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA d. 5 April 1990, South Kingstown, Rhode Island, USA )
m. Melvin D LAMPHERE 1945

Walter Alexander BAKER (b.12 November 1926, Warwick, Rhode Island, USA d. 3 November 2007, Westerly, Rhode Island, USA )

Living (b., , Connecticut, USA d. , )

Joseph N "Norman" BAKER (b.9 May 1931, Plainfield, Connecticut, USA d. 6 December 2020, Westerly, Rhode Island, USA )
m. Dorothy H ROTTLUFF 1954

Henry Robert BAKER (b.15 June 1932, Norwich, Connecticut, USA d. 18 January 1983, South Kingstown, Rhode Island, USA )

Richard R BAKER (b.16 October 1943, Richmond, Rhode Island, USA d. 28 October 1972, Charlestown, Rhode Island, USA )

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Discovering the Ancestry of Walter Joseph BAKER: Events, Photos & Historical Records

1904 Birth
12 December 1904
Warwick, Rhode Island, USA

1905 - Warwick, Kent, Rhode Island
Number of Family in order of visitation - 118
Number in family 4
Name in full - Baker, Walter J or F?
Residence - 38 Main
Town - Pontiac W.
County - Kent
Voting District - 5
Relationship to head of family - son
age - 5/ 12
Date of birth - 1894, Dec 12
Place of birth - Warwick, RI
Number of years resident in Rhode Island - 24
Place of birth of father - unable to read
Place of birth of mother - Warwick, RI
Religion - Prot

Rhode Island State Census, 1905
1905 Rhode Island State Census
Unofficial Guide to FamilySearch.org: How to Find Your Family History on the World's Largest Free Genealogy Website

1906 - August 22 – The first Victor Victrola, a phonographic record player, was manufactured, revolutionizing the way people listened to music at home.

In 1906, Reginald Fessenden made the first AM radio broadcast on December 24th. This event marked a significant advancement in radio technology, paving the way for the modern broadcasting industry.

1907-1908 - The electric washing machine is invented (Alva J. Fisher, United States)

1908 - First Model-T car is produced by Henry Ford (United States)

1909 - William Howard Taft becomes President of the United States

1910 Warwick, Kent, Rhode Island
1910 US Census, the Robarge family is living in Warwick, Kent, RI (Abbie, Frank and William). There is no sign of George Baker or Exilda. Living next to the Robarge family is Joseph and Delia R. Magnan. Delia looks like she might have been Delia R. Robarge in 1900 Census. Living with them is Walter Baker, age 5, nephew, b. abt. 1905.
1910 Census Ancestry (U.S.)
Exploring the U.S. Census: Your Guide to America’s Data

1912 - April 15 - Titanic sinks in the North Atlantic

1913 - The assembly line is invented (Henry Ford, United States)

The bra is invented (Mary Phelps Jacob, United States)

1913 - Woodrow Wilson becomes President of the United States

1913 - October 31 – The Lincoln Highway, the first automobile road across the United States, is dedicated

1915 - January 25 - First United States coast-to-coast long-distance telephone call

1917 - March 2 – The enactment of the Jones Act grants Puerto Ricans United States citizenship.

1917 - April 6 – WWI: The United States declares war on Germany

1918 - March 19 – The United States Congress establishes time zones and approves daylight saving time

1919 - June 4 – Women's rights: The United States Congress approves the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which would guarantee suffrage to women, and sends it to the U.S. states for ratification

1920 Cranston, Providence, Rhode Island
This same Walter Baker is found in the 1920 US Census, at age 15, living in Cranston, Providence, Rhode Island with Joseph, Rose, and Mary Magnan, father b. MA, mother b. RI

Name: Walter Baker
Age: 15
Birth Year: abt 1905
Birthplace: Rhode Island
Home in 1920: Cranston, Providence, Rhode Island
Street: Mayfield Plat
Residence Date: 1920
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Nephew
Marital status: Single
Father's Birthplace: Massachusetts
Mother's Birthplace: Rhode Island
Able to Speak English: Yes
Occupation: Laborer
Industry: Mill
Employment Field: Wage or Salary
Able to Read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
Joseph Magnan 35
Rose Magnan 33
Mary Magnan 5
Walter Baker 15

1920 Census Ancestry (U.S.)
Exploring the U.S. Census: Your Guide to America’s Data

1920 - January 17 - Prohibition goes into effect on January 17, 1920, under the provisions of the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution

1921 - Warren G. Harding becomes President of the United States

1921 - Charles Strite of Minnesota patents the pop-up toaster.

1923 to 1927 - Television is invented (Vladimir Kosma Zworykin (Russia), Philo Taylor Farnsworth (United States))

1923 - Calvin Coolidge becomes President of the United States

1925 Rhode Island State Census
Is this him?

Name: Walter Baker
Residence: West Warwick, E.D. 035, Kent, Rhode Island
Age: 20
Estimated birth date: 1905
Place of Birth: Rhode Island
Relationship to Head of Household: Brother-in-law
Gender: Male
Race: White
Page number: 43
Line number: 30
GSU Film Number: 1769932
Family Number: 340
Collection: Rhode Island State Census, 1925

familysearch.org (Mormon Genealogy Records)
Unofficial Guide to FamilySearch.org: How to Find Your Family History on the World's Largest Free Genealogy Website

1925 Birth of Child
Blanche Rose BAKER was born 16 October 1925, West Warwick, Rhode Island, USA (Arctic) (Natick) (Phenix) (Crompton)

Walter Joseph was 20 years old.

1926 Birth of Child
Walter Alexander BAKER was born 12 November 1926, Warwick, Rhode Island, USA (Hillsgrove) (Pontiac) (Apponaug) (Warwick Neck) (Nausauket)

Walter Joseph was 21 years old.

1927 - The aerosol can is invented (Erik Rotheim, Norway)

1927 - April 7 – Bell Telephone Co. transmits an image of Herbert Hoover (then the Secretary of Commerce), which becomes the first successful long distance demonstration of television

1928 - Sliced bread (bread slicing machine) is invented by Otto Frederick Rohwedder (United States)

1929 - Herbert Hoover becomes President of the United States

1929 - October 29 - Black Tuesday - Stock market crash - The Great Depression Begins - It lasted until 1941 (WW2)

1930 - Scotch tape is invented (Richard Drew (3M), United States)

1930 - Plainfield, Connecticut
Name: Walter Baker
Birth Year: abt 1905
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Rhode Island
Marital status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1930: Plainfield, Windham, Connecticut, USA
Map of Home: View Map
Street address: Wauregan Mills Village
Dwelling Number: 644
Family Number: 663
Home Owned or Rented: Rented
Home Value: 6
Radio Set: Yes
Lives on Farm: No
Age at first Marriage: 19
Attended School: No
Able to Read and Write: Yes
Father's Birthplace: Rhode Island
Mother's Birthplace: Rhode Island
Able to Speak English: Yes
Occupation: Card tender
Industry: Cotton Mill
Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker
Employment: Yes
Household Members:
Name Age
Walter Baker 25
Blanche Baker 24
Blanche Baker 4
Walter Baker 3
Theresa Baker 0
1930 Census Ancestry (U.S.)
Exploring the U.S. Census: Your Guide to America’s Data

In 1930, on February 18, Pluto was discovered by astronomer Clyde Tombaugh at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, marking a significant milestone in the study of our solar system.

1931 - The paper towel is invented (Arthur Scott, United States)

1931 - March 3 – The Star-Spangled Banner is adopted as the United States National anthem.

1931 Birth of Child
Joseph N "Norman" BAKER was born 9 May 1931, Plainfield, Connecticut, USA (Moosup) (Wauregan) (Central Village) (Almyville) (Packerville)

Walter Joseph was 26 years old.

1932 Birth of Child
Henry Robert BAKER was born 15 June 1932, Norwich, Connecticut, USA (Norwichtown) (Yantic) (Greeneville) (Occum) (Taftville)

Walter Joseph was 27 years old.

1933 - Franklin D. Roosevelt becomes President of the United States

1933 - December 5 – The 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution is passed, repealing Prohibition

1934 - The metal beverage can is invented (American Can Co., United States)

1935 - The snowmobile was invented by Joseph Bombardier (Quebec, Canada)

1935 - August 14 – United States President Franklin Roosevelt signs the Social Security Act into law

1938 - The ballpoint pen is invented (Lazlo Biro, Hungary)

1938-1944 - Sunscreen is invented (Franz Greiter, Switzerland and Benjamin Green, United States)

1938 - October 27 - Du Pont announces a name for its new synthetic yarn: nylon.

1940 - Richmond, Rhode Island
Name: Walter Baker
Age: 35
Estimated birth year: abt 1905
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Rhode Island
Marital status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1940: Richmond, Washington, Rhode Island
Map of Home in 1940: View Map
Street: Sherman Avenue
Farm: NO
Inferred Residence in 1935: Wauregan, Connecticut
Residence in 1935: Wauregan, Connecticut
Resident on farm in 1935: No
Sheet Number: 4A
Number of Household in Order of Visitation: 90
Occupation: Jif Operator
House Owned or Rented: Rented
Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented: 8
Attended School or College: No
Highest Grade Completed: Elementary school, 8th grade
Hours Worked Week Prior to Census: 24
Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker in private work
Weeks Worked in 1939: 48
Income: 624
Income Other Sources: Yes
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
Walter Baker 35
Blanche Baker 34
Blanche R Baker 14
Walter Baker 13
Norman Baker 8
Haenry Baker 7
1940 Census Ancestry (U.S.)
Exploring the U.S. Census: Your Guide to America’s Data

1940 - April - 1st electron microscope demonstrated (RCA), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

1941 - December 8 - (the day after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor) United States declares war on Japan (WW2)

World War II Draft Registration
Name: Walter Joseph Baker
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 35
Relationship to Draftee: Self (Head)
Birth Date: 28 Dec 1904
Birth Place: Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
Residence Place: Richmond, Washington, Rhode Island, USA
Registration Date: 16 Oct 1940
Registration Place: Richmond, Washington, Rhode Island, USA
Employer: Kenyon Piece Dyeworks
Weight: 150
Complexion: Light brown
Eye Color: Brown
Hair Color: Brown
Height: 5 6
Next of Kin: Blanche Rose Baker
Household Members:
Name Relationship
Walter Joseph Baker Self (Head)
Blanche Rose Baker Wife
FamilySearch.org. U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1947.
The Draft

1943 Birth of Child
Richard R BAKER was born 16 October 1943, Richmond, Rhode Island, USA (Kenyon)

Walter Joseph was 38 years old.

1944 - D-Day, which occurred on June 6, 1944, was a pivotal World War II operation where Allied forces launched a massive invasion on the beaches of Normandy, France. Known as Operation Overlord, it involved over 156,000 troops from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and other Allied nations. The operation aimed to liberate Western Europe from Nazi German control. The landings marked the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany, leading to the eventual Allied victory in Europe.

1945 - The atomic bomb is invented (J. Robert Oppenheimer, et al., United States)

The microwave oven was invented accidentally in 1945 by Percy Spencer, a Raytheon engineer. While testing a magnetron, he noticed microwaves melted a candy bar in his pocket. Experimenting further, he discovered microwaves could cook food quickly. Raytheon patented the process, and by 1947, they built the first commercial microwave oven, called the 'Radarange.' Initially used in commercial settings, microwaves becomes affordable for home use by the 1960s and 1970s, revolutionizing cooking.

1945 - Harry S. Truman becomes President of the United States

1945 - On September 2, 1945, World War II officially ended with the formal surrender of Japan. The surrender ceremony took place aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, where Japanese officials signed the Instrument of Surrender in the presence of Allied representatives, including General Douglas MacArthur and Admiral Chester Nimitz.

1948 - Velcro is invented (George de Mestral, Switzerland)

1950 - Richmond, Rhode Island
Name: Walter J Baker
Age: 47
Birth Date: abt 1903
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birth Place: Rhode Island
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Residence Date: 1950
Home in 1950: Richmond, Washington, Rhode Island, USA
Street Name: 1
Apartment Number: Left
Dwelling Number: 31
Farm: No
Acres: No
Occupation: Gigger
Industry: Cloth Days Finish
Occupation Category: Wk
Hours Worked: 48
Worker Class: P
Household Members Age Relationship
Walter J Baker 47 Head
Blanch R Baker
44 Wife
Walter A Baker
23 Son
Henry R Baker
17 Son
Richard R Baker
6 Son
1950 Census Ancestry (U.S.)
Exploring the U.S. Census: Your Guide to America’s Data

1950 - June 25 - Korean War begins when North Korean forces invade South Korea.

1953 - Dwight D. Eisenhower becomes President of the United States

1953 - On July 27, 1953, the Korean War ended with the signing of an armistice agreement at Panmunjom. This ceasefire halted the conflict between North Korea, supported by China and the Soviet Union, and South Korea, backed by United Nations forces primarily from the United States. The agreement established the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) near the 38th parallel, effectively maintaining the pre-war boundary and creating a buffer zone between the two Koreas.

1961 - John F. Kennedy becomes President of the United States

1961 - Vietnam War officially begins with 900 military advisors landing in Saigon.

1962 - The Cuban Missile Crisis was a tense 13-day standoff in October 1962 between the United States and the Soviet Union over the installation of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba, just 90 miles from the U.S. coast. The crisis is considered the closest the Cold War came to escalating into a full-scale nuclear war. It began when American spy planes discovered the missiles, leading to a U.S. naval blockade of Cuba and intense negotiations. The crisis ended when Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles in exchange for the U.S. promising not to invade Cuba and secretly agreeing to remove American missiles from Turkey.

Grave

New Saint Francis Cemetery South Kingstown, Washington County, Rhode Island, USA

findagrave.com

1963 Death
3 December 1963
Richmond, Rhode Island, USA

He died at the age of 59.

Obituary
Walter J. Baker

Walter John Baker, 58, died at his home, Lewiston Avenue, Kenyon yesterday.

Mr. Baker was born in Cranston, the son of George and Exilda (Roberge) Baker. Until he retired in 1959 he was employed as a jigger at the Kenyon Piece Dye Works, Kenyon. He was a member of the Holy Name Society at St. Mary's Church, Carolina.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Blanche (Duchame) Baker; a daughter, Mrs. Melvin Lamphere; four sons, Walter A., Joseph N., Henry R. and Rich R., all of Kenyon; a sister, Mrs. Mary Briggs of Warwick, and nine grandchildren.

The funeral will be Friday at 9:15 a.m. from the Avery Funeral Home, Hope Valley. A high requiem Mass will be celebrated at 10 at St. Mary's Church, Carolina. Burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery, Wakefield.

Providence Evening Bulletin
Providence, Rhode Island
December 4, 1963

Walter is buried at: New Saint Francis Cemetery South Kingstown, Washington County, Rhode Island, USA

Added: 2/7/2009 9:22:20 AM - Updated: 6/17/2026 11:16:12 AM