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Biographical sketch of MAHLON D. BALDWIN from the book entitled, "Biographical Memoirs of Saint Clair County, Michigan," published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Publishers in Logansport, Indiana.
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This bio spans three (3) pages: 291-293
MAHLON D. BALDWIN
The biographies of enterprising men, especially good men, are instructive as guides and incentives to others. The examples they furnish of patient purpose and steadfast integrity strongly illustrate what it is in the power of each to accomplish. Some men belong to no exclusive class in life; apparently insurmountable obstacles have in many instances awakened their dormant faculties and served as a stimulus to carry them to ultimate renown. The instances of success in the face of adverse fate would seem almost to justify the conclusion that self-reliance with a half chance, can accomplish any reasonable object. The gentleman whose life history if herewith outlined is a man who has lived to good purpose and achieved a much greater degree of success than falls to the lot of the average individual. By a straightforward and commendable course he has made his way to a respectable position in the business world, winning the hearty admiration of the people of his county and earning a reputation as an enterprising, progressive man of affairs which the public has not been slow to recognize and appreciate.
Mahlon D. Baldwin, born in Elgin county, Canada, February 15, 1854, was the son of William and Charlotte (Moore) Baldwin, both of Canada. The Baldwin family came to the United States in December of 1863 and located in Port Huron township, where he bought forty acres of land and established a home. He added to his first possessions until he had two hundred acres, which he improved and made one of the finest farms in the township. He is now living with the subject of this memoir. They were the parents of ten children: John A., a farmer living in Port Huron township; William H., who died young; George G., a farmer in Clyde township; Mahlon D.; Alvin, living in Port Huron township; Marshall, who died in Chicago in 1900; Willard L., employed by the railroad at Saginaw, Michigan; Carrie, the wife of T. H. Bennett, living at Chicago, Illinois, and Frank, who died in 1883, at the age of eleven years.
Mahlon D. Baldwin was given only a common school education, not because he refused to take advantage of schooling, but because at the time of his boyhood there was little chance for a youth to obtain more than the elements of knowledge. He was anxious to obtain all the training which could be given, and even increased this by his habits of observation and thoughtfulness. He lived at home until he was twenty-four years of age, when he went out into the world to make his own way. For many years he was walking boss for a lumber company in northern Michigan and Sandusky, Ohio, and made quite a success in the work. Work in the timber had many things which were disagreeable to him and he eventually gave up his position and returned to life on the farm. In 1864 he came to St. Clair county and settled in Port Huron township, where he was for a number of years engaged in lumbering and threshing, at which business he was also successful, but which he later gave up to become a dealer in agricultural implements, handling the De Laval cream separator and the Nast-Foss gasoline engine. He also deals in berry boxes, fertilizers, etc. In 1897 Mr. Baldwin bought the City Dairy, and has since run the same in connection with his other business. He was married August 12, 1877 to Miss Anna McGill, of Moore, Lambton county, Canada. She was the daughter of William McGill, born in the county of Down, Ireland, and Margaret Gilchrist, of Glasgow, Scotland. Both came to America at an early age, he when he was eighteen years old and she when but seven. They, with their parents, settled in Lambton county, Canada, and there grew to maturity and were married. The mother died May 10, 1865, and the father April 3, 1892. They were the parents of ten children: William P., drowned at Thunder Bay, Lake Huron, in 1885, while connected with the life-saving service; Joseph, a resident of Moore, Canada; Margaret, the wife of Charles Compton, of El Paso, Texas; John, a farmer in Bowling Green, Ohio; Ann, the subject’s wife; Mary, the wife of Frank O’Donnell, of Lorain, Ontario; Edward, living at Port Huron; James, an inmate of the subject’s home; Eliza, married to Henry Olney, and Mary, who died while young.
The subject has always been a prosperous man and has won the regard of his neighbors and friends by his conscientious discharge of all duties, whether social or otherwise. They have two children, both of whom are living at home, Frances A., the wife of John McLeod, is the mother of one child, Owney B.; Celia Marian, wife of John E. Moore, teacher of music in Port Huron, having for three years followed that calling, and is an accomplished musician. She was educated in the Rivard School of Elocution at Port Huron, and is a member of L. O. T. M. Lodge at Port Huron and also of Oak Leaf Lodge No. 261, Daughters of Rebekah, in both of which she is an active worker and highly respected member. In political affairs Mr. Baldwin has always shown a deep interest and has in every instance worked for the good of the Democratic party, to which he has given his allegiance. He is an active worker in local affairs and a promoter of all public improvements. Under Democratic administration he has held many offices in the township, including school treasurer, school inspector and highway commissioner. He is a member of Port Huron Lodge No. 261, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, with which lodge he has been actively identified for twenty-three years. The Baldwin family are among the most popular members of Diamond Tent of Maccabbees at Port Huron, and are in this, as in all other organizations with which they are connected, active in the work.
Mr. Baldwin has risen from an obscure position to one of the first in the county and all by his own industry. At present he is the owner of seventy acres of fine land, nearly all of which is under cultivation. He is extensively engaged in raising small fruits, in which he is quite proficient. In 1896 he built his present beautiful home and all his life he has been engaged in improving his property, while he has also at the same time given much of his time and attention to the needs of his friends. The subject and family are among the best known and respected citizens of the county and have a host of friends in the community.
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PLEASE NOTE: I do not have any personal interest in researching the BALDWIN surname or the St. Clair county, Michigan location. I am merely posting a select number of the biographical sketches found in the above-referenced book *upon specific written request* as a service to the genealogical community. Therefore, please do not contact me with regard to research interests in the above. Thank you.
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