Baldwin, Benjamin F.
BIOGRAPHIES
HISTORY OF GREENE & JERSEY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS - 1885
Springfield, Ill.: Continental Historical Co.
Page 1076
BENJAMIN F. BALDWIN, deceased was born in Warren county, Ohio, Feb. 28, 1821, his parents being Judge Benjamin and Martha (Varner) Baldwin. Benjamin F. was reared to manhood at the family homestead, 30 miles from Cincinnati, and was educated in the schools of his native county. On arriving at a suitable age, he adopted farming as his business. April 3, 1843, he married Hannah Sever, a native of the same county, born April 3, 1823. Her parents were Lewis and Mary (Peacock) Sever, both natives of New Jersey, although they were of German descent. In the fall of 1849, his father having come out to Illinois and selected and purchased land in White Hall township, was so well pleased with the country, that in the spring of 1850 Benj. F. also came out to this county, and located on section 16, in White Hall township, where he had purchased a tract of land. On this he resided until 1858, when he bought another tract south of his first location, on to which he moved, having erected a fine, two and one-half story, frame house, celebrating the 4th of July, that year, by raising the frame thereof. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin F. Baldwin were seven in number, of whom six are living - Lewis S., of Roodhouse Tp.; Martha Marilla, who died at the age of 21 years; Mary Amanda, married Henry M. Hunt, now living in Kansas City; George E., married Theresa Kendall, lives near Nickerson, Kan.; John A., residing at the old homestead; Alice C., widow of Marcus R. Giller, of White Hall; Alva C., living at the old homestead. In this county Benj. Baldwin not only followed farming and stock raising, but also engaged in other kinds of business. He established a store at Ne Providence and carried on a general merchandise trade there, conducting it while acting as postmaster for some five or six years. His term of service as postmaster was under Lincoln's administration, though he, himself, was a democrat. From New Providence, Mr. Baldwin removed to White Hall and carried on the general merchandise business about 10 years, having in stock about $20,000 worth of goods. He built an elevator there at a cost of $14,000, which was burned down in the summer of 1885, while in the possession of his son-in-law, H. M. Hunt. Mr. Baldwin had also operated for some time, a large grist mill on Apple Creek Prairie, which had been constructed by Jesse and E.V. Baldwin, and which had a capacity of 60 barrels per day. He was carrying on all these enterprises at the time of his death. On the morning of Feb. 5, 1875, what is known as a "mock senate" was holding a session in the Universalist church, on Apple Creek Prairie. Mr. Baldwin was personating the senator from Arkansas and had just finished a speech to the senate, when, in less than five minutes, or just as the next speaker had risen to his feet, Mr. Baldwin was dead in his chair. His death cast a gloom over the neighborhood, as he was a man full of life, ambition, and enterprise, and was of that class who are a power in the community. He had never entered political life in earnest. He had, however, held the office of justice of the peace. He had been grand marshal of the Greene county fair for 15 years and was presented, by the board of directors, with a saddle, whip, and spurs, valued at $100. Mrs. Baldwin followed him to the long rest, Feb. 1, 1883, and both now sleep side by side in the White Hall cemetery, their resting place being marked by the handsome Baldwin monument. It is said to be the finest in the county and was erected by the sons, Lewis, George, John, and Curtis, as their last tribute of respect. Mr. Baldwin left 2,000 acres of land to his children. John A. and Alva C. reside on the home tract of 1,500 acres and are extensive stock farmers. They deal in all grades of stock and generally feed about 800 head of cattle every winter. They are very enterprising young men who have an eye to business and are bound to meet with success in all their undertakings.
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