Dates

• Existence: 1898 September 11 - 1985 April 1

Biography

Dorothy Elizabeth (Baker) Bond was a Seattleite who supported the World War I homefront effort by selling war bonds and campaigning for the Red Cross.

Dorothy Elizabeth Baker was born on September 11, 1898 in Seattle, Washington to Charles H. and Gladys (France) Baker. She grew up in in the Queen Anne neighborhood. During World War I she was involved with the Girl Cadets of Washington and sold war bonds. Through her involvement with the Girl Cadets and their social dances, she met many French crews who were in Seattle to receive ships. She also met Elmer Cadwell Calhoun who would soon leave to serve in the U.S. Navy. Shortly before he was transferred to the East Coast, they married on October 10, 1917. While serving in France, Calhoun was able to meet up with Baker's brother, Leslie "Les" Baker. Calhoun was killed in the war when the U.S.S. Ticonderoga was torpedoed on September 30, 1918. Baker received notice of his death fifteen days later. They had only spent 19 days together as a married couple.

In addition to her involvement with the Girl Cadets, Baker sold war bonds as well as war stamps. The stamps could be collected and then exchanged for a $75 war bond which would eventually pay a return of $100. She sat at a table and chair set up on the sidewalk outside the Bank of California, eventually moving into the lobby. She also helped with Red Cross drives. For her work with the Red Cross she was required to wear a white dress with a white head scarf with the Red Cross logo on it. During her work she met many soldiers. She sometimes photographed the soldiers of different nationalities who were visiting Seattle.

Following the war, her late husband's brother, Frank Donald Calhoun, came to Seattle to find her. They married on November 6, 1920. They had one daughter, Elizabeth Ann Calhoun. The marriage ended in divorce. Baker's third husband was Basil Burdette Bond. They had one daughter, Rosemary Bond. They built a home on Juanita Point on Lake Washington and lived there until they passed away.

Baker was involved in many social organizations including the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Rainier Chapter; the Children of the American Revolution; the National Society of New England Women; the Society of Daughters of Colonial Wars, Washington Chapter; the Pioneer Association of the State of Washington; Hatasu Temple; the American Legion Auxiliary; and the Seattle Audubon Society; among other groups.

Dorothy Elizabeth (Baker) Bond died April 1, 1985 in Seattle.

Biographical note derived from donor information and records on Ancestry.com.

Places

• Seattle (Wash.) (Residence)
• Washington (State) (Residence)

Found in 1 Collection or Record: