William Baxter was born in Delhi, Delaware County, NY to Levi and Mary Washburn Baxter February 9, 1805. He was the grandson of a Revolutionary War Patriot, Levi Baxter, from Hartford County, CT. William attended both Hamilton and Union Colleges, and graduated from Union in 1828. He studied under physician Henry Mitchell, of Chenango County, and attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. Mr. Baxter received the degree of M.D. in April 1831 and was appointed the first resident physician of New York Lying-in-Asylum. In April 1836 he married Mary Tanner of Wappingers Falls, moving permanently to the Village in 1838 where he opened his practice of medicine. Dr. Baxter became a believer and practitioner of Homoeopathy.

Homoeopathy is the belief that the body can cure itself with minute doses of a remedy that, with larger doses in a healthy person, would produce symptoms similar to those of the disease. He was made a member of the Institute of Homeopathy in Boston June, 1847. He was also a member of the Dutchess County and New York State Homoeopathic Medical Societies. William and Mary had four children: Helen Frances (1843-1920), William (1848-1929), Reuben Tanner (1834-1903) and Levi (1846-1902). William (the son) was also an M.D. and a practitioner of homoeopathy medicine. He married Rowena Warhurst at Zion Episcopal Church on November 1, 1873. They had four children: George, William, Rowena and Elizabeth. George married Jane Amelia Travis, Reuben married Catherine Dean and Levi married Iantha Moore. George had a general store located at East Main and Remsen Avenue.

Dr. Baxter (senior) became ill with kidney disease in 1873 and succumbed to the illness July 3, 1875. He and his wife are buried at Wappingers Rural Cemetery. The Homeopathic Medical Kit that is on display at the Town of Wappinger Town Hall belonged to Dr. William Baxter, and was donated to the Historical Society by his family.