Peter Baldy, senior, came from Northumberland to Danville in 1814. He was a blacksmith but soon engaged in merchandizing and dealing in grain. In 1839 he built the stone, steam mill on Church street. BY care and industry, closely watching the corners and being fortunate in his speculations, he amassed a very large fortune, and became one of the wealthiest men in this part of the state. He was the first president of the first bank established in Danville. He was always a substantial supporter of the Protestant Episcopal church to which he belonged form the time of its organization in this place, and left $50,000 to that church, in his will. During the war Mr. Baldy contributed liberally to the comfort of the volunteers of this place; especially to the "Baldy Guard," Captain Ramsey, and the "Fencibles," Captain Shreeve. Nearly twenty years ago, Mr. Baldy retired from active business and spent the evening of life in the quiet of his home on Market street, where he died on the 24th day of November, 1880, at the ripe old age of ninety-two and nine months, lacking a few days.
