Baldwin, E. V.

BIOGRAPHIES
HISTORY OF GREENE & JERSEY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS - 1885

Springfield, Ill.: Continental Historical Co.



Page 1077

ELIAS V. BALDWIN was born in Warren county, O., July 15, 1827, his parents being Benjamin and Martha (Varner) Baldwin. Elias came to Greene county in 1848, being then 21 years of age, and in the fall, he hired out to husk corn, receiving therefor 50 cents per day. During that fall, he went north to look at the country, but not finding any place more desirable than Greene county, he returned, took the stage to Alton, from there went to St. Louis, where he remained over night, and next day, in the morning, took the boat for Cincinnati, arriving at his home in Ohio, the day before Christmas. He was engaged that winter in driving a team on the Cincinnati, Goshen and Wilmington turnpike, hauling produce. He remained there until the next spring, and then returned to Greene county and went to farming, on 130 acres of land, which his father had bought for him. Previous to that time, his father had been there, and contracted for the same farm. With a willing hand, Elias commenced buying hogs and cattle, which he drove to Alton to dispose of, and when he could not get his price there, would drive them on to St. Louis. Feb. 14, 1850, he was married to Mary Pankey, daughter of William B. and Samantha (Lorton) Pankey. After marriage, he began farming a little more extensively, locating on section 21, on which land there was an old log cabin, and into this he moved, and lived six years in it. He had, by that time, laid by enough to build a more commodious residence, and in 1856 erected a fine two-story dwelling, costing something like $4,000. His improvements, in the shape of buildings, will now amount to $10,000, and the surroundings show him to be a man of enterprise and intelligence. Mr. Baldwin raises considerable stock, and also buys and sells hogs, horses and cattle, of all grades. About one-half of his land is in grass, and the balance in grain, all of which is used in feeding stock. In all his undertakings he has been very successful. He has been president of the Greene County Agricultural Society, for two years, and stands high in the estimation of his many acquaintances.
Bio Index
All material contained on these pages are furnished for the free use of those engaged in researching their family origins. Any commercial use, without the consent of the host/author of these pages is prohibited. © ILMAGA