Dr. Harvey Baldwin was a native of Connecticut, born in Norfolk, October 12, 1818, and there spent the period of his boyhood and youth. After acquiring a public school education he determined to prepare himself for a professional career and decided upon the practice of medicine as a life work. He then went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he entered a medical college. Upon his return to Connecticut he located in the town of Goshen, where he entered upon the practice of medicine and surgery. At length he removed his family to New Haven and gave up professional work to enter upon manufacturing, forming a partnership with a Mr. Goodman. They began the manufacture of musical instruments, giving their attention largely to melodeons and cabinet organs, and with that undertaking Mr. Baldwin was associated for several years. Preferring outdoor life, how-ever, he withdrew from manufacturing circles and removed with his family to Watertown, where he purchased a small farm that he continued to cultivate and improve until his death.

At Goshen, in Litchfield county, Dr. Baldwin was united in marriage to Miss Esther Starr, who was born in Goshen and by her marriage became the mother of a daughter, Mary Eliza, who is now living in New Haven. An older daughter, Lucy Starr, passed away in childhood. The death of the husband and father occurred on the home farm at Watertown, February 26, 1859, when he was forty years of age, and his remains were interred in Oak Grove cemetery. For a few years after his demise Mrs. Baldwin remained in Watcrtown and then returned with her daughter to New Haven, where she continued to reside until she passed away on the 31st of March, 1886, when her remains were interred by the side of her husband in Oak Grove cemetery. Mrs. Baldwin was a Christian woman, holding membership in the Center Congregational church of New Haven. Her daughter, Miss Mary E. Baldwin, is living on St. Ronan street in New Haven.