For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 209
GEORGE W. BALDWIN. Pennsylvania has contributed many valiant sons of Iowa but is it doubtful whether a worthier representative of the Keystone state is to be found in Muscatine county than George W. Baldwin, of West Liberty. He was a true soldier when the life of the country was in danger, and he has been a useful and progressive citizen. He was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, August 12, 1843, son of Joseph and Violetta L. (Smith) Baldwin. The father was also a native of the Keystone state and passed his entire life there. He made farming his principal occupation, but he and his wife both taught school the first year after their marriage. They were the parents of seven children, four of whom are now living: William, a street car conductor of Philadelphia, now seventy-three years of age; George W., of this review; Byron, now living at New Orleans, Louisiana, who was ranking surgeon of the United States navy and retired from active service in 1907; Ella Louisa, now teacher of higher arithmetic, Latin and German at Bridgeport, Connecticut, being a graduate of the Normal School at West Chester, Pennsylvania, and also of Wellesley College, Wellesley, Massachusetts.George W. Baldwin received his preliminary education in the common schools of his native county, after which he attended Friedland's Institute for one year. He continued with his parents until their death, on the 6th of August, 1862, being then eighteen years of age, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry and was made a non-commissioned officer. He served with that command until May 16, 1863, and then reenlisted in Company A of the Twentieth Pennsylvania Cavalry. Having acquitted himself with very high credit in a special examination, he was honored by promotion to the captaincy of the company, continuing in the service until January 6, 1864, when he was honorably discharged and mustered out. He participated in the battles of Antietam, Chancellorsville, Washington Court House, Lower Bull Run, Fredricksburg, Fisher's Landing and many minor engagements.
After leaving the army Mr. Baldwin returned to Pennsylvania, where he was married and in October, 1866, came to West Liberty, and became a dealer in Shetland ponies and horses, continuing in the same business until his health gave out and he was obliged to seek less laborious employment. At the present time he is a breeder of Partridge Wyandotte chickens and has gained a wide reputation in a line to which he has devoted close attention and which he thoroughly understands.
On the 4th of June, 1866, Mr. Baldwin was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Rickard, a native of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, by whom he had one child, Harry Atwood, now deceased. Mrs. Baldwin died November 25, 1899, and was buried in Oakridge cemetery, West Liberty, Iowa.
Mr. Baldwin is a stanch supporter of the republican party and a valued member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He was reared in the Quaker faith and has never departed from the simple belief which looks within for guidance through every difficulty. He has led a busy and useful life and although nearly three score and ten years of age still continues to faithfully perform his duties. A man of unblemished character, he stands very high in the estimation of a host of friends and acquaintances in Muscatine and adjoining counties.
Back to Biographical Index Page