JOHN C. BALDWIN, one of the most prosperous citizens of West Finley township, is a grandson of William Baldwin, who was born in Franklin township, Washington Co., Penn, and there grew to manhood. When the war of 1812 began, he was among the first to volunteer his services, and remained in the war until the close. He was afterward married, and reared a family of eight children: Thomas, Phoebe, Jonathan, Silas, Seely, Cephas, Amos and Frank (deceased in youth). Thomas Baldwin was born about 1820, on the farm in Franklin township, and received his early education at the subscription schoolhouse, with its puncheon floor and slab seats. When about twenty-one years of age he learned the trade of a cabinet maker, which he followed several years. He was united in marriage with Miss Regina Schrontz, and their children were as follows: Elizabeth ( Mrs. Miller), Francis F. (lieutenant in an Iowa regiment, who was killed near Dallas, Ga., while cheering on his men), Jacob S., Milton, John C., Mrs. Mary Booth, Silas, Regina and Anna M., of whom the latter three died in early life. After saving some money by following his trade, Mr. Baldwin bought a farm and devoted the summer season to its cultivation. John C. Baldwin was born February 19, 1846, in Amwell township, Washington Co., Penn., and passed most of his earlier years in farming. At the age of twenty-one he taught a term of school, and the following winter entered Waynesburgh College. He continued to attend school and teach alternately for three years, and during this period became acquainted with a fellow- student, Melissa Ann McMay, who graduated in 1872. The friendship of the young students continued to grow, and after his graduation, on April 24, 1873, they were united in marriage. Mr. Baldwin then engaged in the mercantile business in the little town of Belle Vernon, Fayette Co., Penn., but a year later began farming, which vocation he has since successfully followed. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin have nine children, all of whom are living with their parents. In political life, he is a stanch Republican, and has been justice of the peace fourteen years. In religion he is an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and has served a number of years as superintendent of the Sunday school.

Text taken from page 1333 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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