Margaret Evelyn Baker was born May 18, 1896 in Springfield, Ohio, the daughter of Scipio Baker and Jessie (Foos) Baker.

Margaret attended Springfield High School and Springfield Seminary, then graduated from Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. She studied music in New York City and traveled the east coast, performing under the stage name Nancy Van Kirk from 1919-1921.

She returned to Springfield, after her father died in 1921 and began working for the family business, The Champion Chemical Company, a funeral industry supplier. Margaret took over as president of the company at the age of 25.

Regarded as a powerful force in business and industry, Margaret also maintained holdings and vested interests in a variety of other businesses.

Margaret was a pioneer of women's leadership in the mid 1900s. She was the first president of the Altrusa Club of Springfield, a women's service club, which later commissioned a portrait of Margaret that was displayed in the Clark County Public Library. She was also a member of Daughters of America, Board of Directors of City Hospital Auxiliary, Women's Town Club, and the Business and Professional Women's Club.

A lecturer and world traveler, Margaret was also an amateur filmmaker, documenting her extensive travels.

Margaret passed away in 1986, and is interred in Section P, Lot 19 of Ferncliff Cemetery alongside her family.