Baldwin, John T. (1820-1890)

BALDWIN

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/15/2019 at 15:08:19

John T. Baldwin
Oct 12, 1820 - Jan 30, 1890

(From 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.443)
John T. BALDWIN was born October 12, 1820, Washington County, in the State of Pennsylvania, and died in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on January 30, 1890. While his education was not what is termed liberal, yet he was a man of extensive observation, a great reader, possessed of strong intellectual powers, which he so thoroughly developed that he was at all times enabled to successfully cope with the best minds that he came in contact with. Having large practical experience in business, a sound judgment, coupled with good common sense, he mingled largely with men of affairs, both in the State and in the Nation, and became himself pre-eminently a man of affairs, and one of the leading and most influential men of Iowa, his adopted State.
About the time that he attained his majority he engaged in mercantile pursuits in the village of Washington, Pennsylvania, and in the year 1844 removed to Fairfield, Iowa. In 1853 Mr. BALDWIN closed out his business interests in eastern Iowa and removed to Council Bluffs, where he resumed his mercantile pursuits. In 1856 he established a land agency in Council Bluffs and also engaged in banking. While so engaged in banking and land agency from 1856 to 1869, he was associated with General G. M. DODGE, under the firm name of BALDWIN & DODGE. In 1869 he organized the Pacific National Bank, and became a director and vice-president of the same. In March, 1877, as principal owner he organized the Broadway Street Railway Company and constructed and operated in Council Bluffs the first street railway, running the same to the Union Pacific Railway depot, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad depot and to other portions of the city.
In 1854 he was elected a member of the State Legislature on the Republican ticket. He discharged his duties with ability, and was ever faithful to the trusts committed to his charge. As a member of the Legislature of Iowa he was active and attentive to his duties and diligent in performing them. He was watchful in protecting the rights and promoting the interests of the people he represented. He was possessed of much and varied knowledge, which he was always ready to use in promoting the prosperity and welfare of his adopted State. When Council Bluffs first became incorporated he was elected a member of the City Council, and in March, 1877, he was elected to the office of Mayor. In 1876 he was sent as a delegate to the National Republican Convention held in Cincinnati, Ohio. No man could be more devoted to a city than he was to the city of Council Bluffs, and no man who ever lived in the city did as much for it as did Mr. BALDWIN. He was ever watchful of its interests, rights and honors, and when in office served the city faithfully. He experienced great pleasure in contemplating its growth of population and industries. Coming to Council Bluffs when it had a population of less than 5,000, he witnessed its slow but sure growth into a city of 35,000. He also took a deep interest in the western section of our country -- in the advancement of its civilization and the development of its material interest. He was in all respects a splendid type of a western man. He was energetic, enterprising, industrious and self-reliant.
Mr. BALDWIN was married in August 1843 to Miss Jane HUNTER, of Washington, Pennsylvania, and by her had three daughters. In private life he was a genial and agreeable companion, a warm and sincere friend. No man could hear him talk as he often did of his mother, wife and children without being impressed that he was an affectionate son, husband and father.