Person Page - 598

     In 1912 WILLIAM S. BALDWIN is post­master of Taunton, the proprietor of a flour and feed store and a stock dealer. He has resided in Minnesota all his life and is among the early settlers of Lyon county, having first come here when less than twelve years of age.

William Baldwin was born near Troy, Winona county, Minnesota, August 12, 1860. His parents were Solomon and Ellen (Canfield) Baldwin, natives, respectively, of Pennsylvania and New York State. They were pioneer residents of Winona county and died there when our subject was a child. There are four children in the fam­ily: Lucy Robinson, of St. Charles, Minnesota; William S., of this biography; Fred, of Langdon, North Dakota: and George, of Winona.

The year of arrival to Lyon county was 1872, when William Baldwin was a lad eleven years of age. The railroad which was then building toward Lyon county—the Winona & St. Peter—had only reached Sleepy Eye, and the trip was made in a covered wagon from Chatfield. The trip was made with the family of Henry P. Gibbs and for three years our subject lived with that family on the homestead on section 14, Fairview township. Then Mr. Gibbs lost his life in one of the winter storms and young Baldwin went to live with the Castor family, over the line in Redwood county. The next winter he attended school in Marshall and from that time until 1893 he lived in and in the vicinity of the county seat.

During that period Mr. Baldwin worked at various occupations. He was street commis­sioner of Marshall one year, operated a feed barn for some time, and engaged in farming land for Marshall residents. In 1893 Mr. Baldwin rented land from his father-in-law near Minneota, farmed it three years, and has ever since then resided in Taunton. He worked at the carpenter's trade and general work until he was appointed postmaster on December 24, 1907. Since then he has conducted a flour and feed store and engaged in the stock business as well as care for the postoffice. Before the incorporation of Taunton Mr. Baldwin served as justice of the peace of Eidsvold township and he has served several terms as a mem­ber of the Taunton Village Council. He is a member of the M. W. A. lodge.

Mr. Baldwin was married at Minneota October 1, 1892, to Bessie Walsh, a native of Springfield, Illinois. To this union two children, Leo and Elenor, were born. Mrs. Baldwin died December 7, 1896. The second marriage of our subject occurred at Ghent on January 18, 1900. when he wedded Annie Helvig, a native of Chicago. George, Margaret and Lester are their children.