Lemuel C. Baldwin

BALDWIN, BOHAM, LEMON, CRAWFORD, TUCKER, LAWRENCE, STRAIT

Posted By: Marlene Skalberg (email)
Date: 11/12/2014 at 16:15:52

Lemuel C. Baldwn, Pioneer Adams County Citizen Died Monday
There are few in the county to whom the passing of "Lem" Baldwin as he was familiarly known does not leave a blessed memory, a heartache, a deep regret, and personal loss. His death marks the passing of one of our sturdy pioneers. Now stilled which loved to recount the stories of pioneer days, the triumph of courageous souls, the struggles which framed our history. He loved the memories of those pioneer days and modern interventions that could never crowd out the joy he had in treasuring the old home and the relics which it obtained. Precious stories died with him, but his indomitable loyalty lightened the torch which will keep forever bright the spirit of these pioneers in whom we of another generation owe so much.
Lemuel C. Baldwin was born February 18, 1859 in Adams County, Iowa and departed this life at 8:00 a.m., December 31, 1934 at the age of 73 years, 10 months, and 13 days. He had not regained his usual health since his injuries last October and since that time his family and friends have watched his gradual decline expecting the end at any time.
His father, Joseph J. and mother Mary Etta Baldwin, came from Mt. Pleasant, Henry County, Iowa in June 1857, prairie schooner days, stoping at what is known as Old Quincy, later moving to the site of the present Baldwin home where Lemuel was born and lived his entire life, with the exception of three years spent on a homestead in Sherman County, Kansas. He leaves to mourn his departure one sister, Miss Minerva and one brother, Stephen J. who are still residing in the old home, and one brother Frank, of Los Gatos, California. One sister, Mrs. Amanda Lemon and one brother, Freeborn, also five half sisters, Mrs. Melissa Crawford, Mrs. Elizabeth Tucker, Mrs. Sarah Lawrence, Mrs. Celona Strait and her twin sister Naomi, preceded him to the great beyond. He also leaves a number of nephews and nieces, most of whom reside in the west. One nephew, Thomas Lawrence, of Klamath Falls, Oregon came to help care for him during his last illness.
The Baldwin home, two miles west of Brooks is one of the landmarks of the county, where so long as health and strength would permit, folks could take their sugar cane and have it made into the best of sorghum and their balls of rags to be woven into old fashioned carpets. The family was known throughout the whole countryside for generosity and hospitality. The passing of this one of the trio leaves a great vacancy at the fireside. He will also be missed by a large circle of friends and neighbors among whom he was always known as an honest and upright citizen.
Funeral services were held from the home Wednesday, January 2, 1935, at 2:00 p.m., conducted by the Rev. W. C. McClelland, an old friend of the family. Interment was made in the Baldwin Cemetery and to this last resting place he was followed by a large company of relatives and friends who wished to honor him in death as they had revered and honored him in the simple life he chose to live.
Adams County Free Press, January 3, 1935, page 20