Marshall Field, Alexander Revell and others whose names have since become famous in the business world came. Mr. Baldwin, however, remained in Chicago only about three years, during which time he was clerk in a dry-goods store. He then came to Story county, Iowa, and entered government land in Indian Creek township, but after one season returned to Cook county, Illinois and engaged in the mercantile business at a place then known as Dundee Station. In 1855 he returned to Story county and was associated for nine years in business with Young Brothers. In 1864 he became senior member of the mercantile firm of Baldwin & Maxwell, whose business gradually increased until its trade extended throughout a large portion of central Iowa. The firm did a wholesale business, supplying many smaller tradesmen, and the name of Baldwin & Maxwell became a synonym for fair dealing wherever the name was known. At the time the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway was built through Story county the firm established a branch house at Maxwell, of which Mr. Maxwell assumed charge, while the senior member continued at Iowa Center.
Frank M. Baldwin was married in 1859 to Miss Mary Maxwell, a sister of his business partner, and by this union five children were born : Millie A., now deceased; Jennie, Charles G., George W., and Jessie. The father is still living at Maxwell and is one of the most capable business men in Iowa.
George W. Baldwin was reared at Iowa Center and educated in the public schools until he arrived at the age of twelve years, when the exigency of business required that he should assist in his father's store. Having once started in the mercantile line he has never found time to continue his school education, but he has greatly broadened his knowledge by reading, observation and contact with the world. He continued at Iowa Center until his father removed to Maxwell in 1892 and then entered the Maxwell store, with which he was connected until it was disposed of in 1898. After working for others for a short time he visited California and upon returning to Maxwell was employed for one year by R. J. Belt. In 1903 he removed to Collins and for a year was connected with the general mercantile establishment of Fred Graef. Retiring from this position he went to Los Animos, Colorado, but his wife was dissatisfied with their surroundings, and, after receiving several letters from Mr. Graef, asking him to return, Mr. Baldwin again came to Collins and assisted Mr. Graef until the latter sold the business to W. A. Severs, of the Colfax (Iowa) Mercantile Company. Mr. Baldwin was placed in charge of the store and closed out most of the stock, the remainder being removed to Colfax. Having purchased fixtures, Mr. Baldwin then organized the firm of G. W. Baldwin & Company with Clark Chambers as partner, and the stock of Mr. Severs being removed from the building January 1, 1907, on January 5th, four days later, the new firm opened for business, selling forty-three dollars worth of goods the first day. From this time onward the business has steadily increased, and the firm of G. W. Baldwin & Company is now one of the substantial and flourishing concerns of this section.