My Genealogy Hound

BALDWIN, F. M. farmer and stock raiser, Sec 17, P.O. White Hall. Born in Warren County, Ohio, 1831; came to Greene County, III., with his father, Benjamin Baldwin, who was born in Virginia, 1792; was married in Warren County, Ohio, about 1814, to Martha Vainer, who was born 1796, in Hamilton County, O., near Newtown; lives at the age of 82 years. Her husband, B. Baldwin, died Feb., 1865, in White Hall. He was an industrious and enterprising man, had the respect of all who knew him. Was elected to the legislature of Ohio in 1829, serving two terms, and elected in Illinois to the same office in 1860; served one term. Was in the War of 1812. Started in life without any means only a set of shoemaker’s tools. Had accumulated some wealth in Ohio before he came to Greene County, in 1847; came prospecting in that year and bought 320 acres of land; returned to Ohio and disposed of what property he could; returned to Greene County in 1849; bought 760 acres, returned again to Ohio and brought his family to Greene County in 1850. Bought 320 acres more land, disposed of his homestead in Ohio, bought more land in Greene County and kept buying, till he owned in all during his life 3,020 acres, which he gave to his children as they became of age. The subject of this sketch was married April 5th, 1855, to Mary A. Bowman, who was born in Logan County, Ill., Dec. 11, 1832; have nine children; five living: Etna, born March 29, 1856; married to Damon Griswold. Mattie, born March 31, 1858; married to Marcus North. Twins—Minnie and Fannie—born May 7, 1860. Fannie died Sept. 9, 1862. Eddie, born April 6, 1862; died Nov. 18, 1875. Harry, born Dec 5, 1863. Elias, born May 15, 1865; died Sept. 2, 1876. Aggie, born June 18, 1867. Emery, born March 28, 1867; died Aug. 18, 1869. Mr. Baldwin has followed milling part of his life, but is now farming; has a fine orchard of choice fruits; owns 120 acres of land.