Merrill Eri Baker was one of four children born in Lorain County, Ohio, to Benjamin and Urania Hickox Baker, a family with an appreciation for unique names. Merrill's siblings included his older sister Bethia Weltha (1 Jan 1834-27 May 1917) and his younger brothers DeForest Farris (17 Sept 1851-28 March 1916) and Wade Benjamin (b. 1858, d. unknown). Merrill's first wife was Eugenia Minerva Disbro (1843-1897) whom he married in 1862; one child, Edith (1866-1925), was born from this union. Edith md. Prof. William F. Palmer (b. 1862-1924) in 1892 and they had three sons, one of whom died at age 17 of typhoid fever.

Two years after the death of Eugenia in 1897, Merrill married Elizabeth Bartlett Canniff; she had two children, Cora Canniff (b.1868) and Howard Canniff (b. 1869), from a previous marriage. Elizabeth and Merrill Baker did not have any children of their own, and she survived him.

Merrill was superintendent of the Cleveland area stone quarry most of his life, apparently choosing not to retire from that position even as he reached what was then considered an advanced age. He died when hit by a train. To quote from the Elyria, Ohio, Evening Telegram of Monday, July 15, 1918: "Our people were shocked Saturday [July 13] to learn of the tragic death of Merrill Baker of West View [Ohio]. Mr. Baker, who was 83, was fatally injured at West View [station] by the train he was about to board for Cleveland. He leaves a wife [Elizabeth Bartlett Canniff Baker] and daughter [Edith Baker Palmer]. Mr. Baker was superintendent of the local stone quarry for many years and was, by living an exemplary life, an inspiration and impetus for the betterment of mankind."