BIOGRAPHIES
HISTORY OF GREENE & JERSEY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS - 1885
Springfield, Ill.: Continental Historical Co.
Page 1075
JUDGE BENJAMIN BALDWIN, deceased, who was one of Greene county's most prominent and wealthy citizens, was a native of Virginia, born in 1792. He was reared to the duties of farm life, in his native state, and when quite a young man, removed to Ohio. Having almost no education, and with a capital of 50 cents, he arrived in Cincinnati previous to the war of 1812. He volunteered and served under Harrison, being lieutenant at the time, and his widow is now receiving a pension for his services. He helped to build Fort Meigs, during a most inclement winter, but never received any compensation for his service, nor did his widow, until since 1878. After the war, he proceeded to Warren county, O., and there became self-educated by reading and taking part in debates, and subsequently worked his way up until he had finally filled every office in the county. He was also made brigadier-general of the Ohio militia. The last time he was a candidate for office in that state, was for the state senate, on the democratic ticket, but that time the opposition was successful. This defeat being the first and last he had ever met with. He was married in Ohio, in 1814, to Martha Varner, who was born near Newtown, Hamilton county, O., in 1796. By this union there were 13 children - Martin V., Joshua C., Mary B., Franklin, Jesse H., Elizabeth, Elias V., Andrew J., Francis M., Thomas J., Joseph W., Martha J., and Evaline. In the fall of 1849, Judge Baldwin came to Greene county and selected and purchased land in White Hall township. He then returned to Ohio to dispose of his property there, after which, in 1851, he returned to this county, brining with him his family. The land on which he located is what is known as the Henry Robley farm, and on it he remained until 1860, when he moved to White Hall. He purchased property there and resided in that city the remainder of his days, his death occurring Feb. 13, 1865. He was truly a self-made man, having started in life with merely nothing, but with enterprise, activity, and shrewdness, had acquired during life, several thousand acres of land, a great part of which he gave to his children, as they became of age. In 1860 he was elected to a seat in the state legislature, having also filled that office during two terms in Ohio, his first election being in 1829. He won the esteem of all, by his candor, uprightness and affable manners. The judge was a lifelong democrat and was heartily in accord with his party on all issues. In religious belief he was assimilated with those of the Universalist faith. In these two matters he was always firm and steadfast. Mrs. Baldwin still survives at the ripe old age of 90 years, and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. John P. Hunt. She is an amiable lady, in full possession of all her faculties, and quite active still, for one who has seen so many summers come and go.
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