In 1862 he arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia, married Frances Robie Collins (daughter of Enos Collins) in 1863 and developed Oakfield, Nova Scotia on the shores of Grand Lake.
June's greengrocer shop on the corner of Meaders Road and St Johns Hill was used as a location in the 1973 film That'll be the Day, featuring Ringo Starr and Rosemary Leach.
Born in Churchville, New York, Baker attended the common schools, Cary Collegiate Institute of Oakfield, and the New York Seminary at Lima.
Oakfield Park School is a special school in Ackworth, West Yorkshire, England.
In 1853, William published a novel of Anglo-Indian life, Oakfield; or, Fellowship in the East, which explores the inherent "common ground" between spiritual traditions East and West, while also predicting the "mutiny" that would occur shortly after.