BALDWIN, Charles: Died 1898

BALDWIN, WRIGHT, CHENEY, LEFFERTS, MCKIBBIN

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 10/19/2016 at 10:23:50

A Pioneer Gone.

Charles Baldwin died at his home in Keosauqua, Iowa at 1:30 p.m., Friday, 28, 1898, aged 79 years, 6 months and 10 days. Mr. Baldwin was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, July 18, 1818, his parents being natives of Connecticut. In March, 1841, he came to Van Buren county, where he ever afterwards made his home. September 28, 1844, he was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Wright, who still lives. To them six children were born: Wm. W., of Burlington; Charles, Jr., of Salt Lake City, Utah; Lavina, wife of Rev. J.W. Cheney, of Missouri; Lutie, wife of Charles Lefferts, of Council Bluffs; Julia, wife of the late Dr. McKibbin, of Keosauqua, and Edward who died when fifteen years of age. The five children living were at the funeral. In his early years in Iowa Mr. Baldwin engaged in the tannery business, served as Clerk of the Court in 1854 and 1855, then went into the mercantile business until 1858, and in 1859 went to Pike's Peak for one year, during the gold excitement. Returning to Keosauqua he formed a law partnership with is brother-in-law Judge Geo. G. Wright, where he continued until Mr. Wright was elected supreme judge. He was afterwards associated in law practice with Judge H.H. Trimble, of Bloomfield. During President Cleveland's first administration he served as postmaster at Keosauqua until poor health forced his retirement. Mr. Baldwin was a man of the largest character with no stain on his life, and he went to the grave universally respected. For two years preceding his death he was in declining health. He was, we believe, the oldest living member of the Odd Fellows lodge in this place, and was an earnest member of that order, and in the honors of Odd Fellowship he was buried, members from several surrounding towns joining with his lodge in paying their last tribute to the respected brother. The funeral was from the residence last Wednesday afternoon, Rev. C.W. Shepherd conducting a brief service, assisted by Rev. Perkins and Tennant after which the remains were laid away in the Oak Lawn cemetery.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book G, Page 253, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA