For the past two decades Frank H. Baldwin, proprietor of the Glenholm Ranch, situated in the Packard Tract at Pomona, has been a resident of Pomona Valley; possessing the inherent qualities that insure success—sagacity, industry and thrift—he has, during his years of residence here, been a part of the growth and development of his section of the state, and has taken an active interest in the projects which have come up from time to time, advancing the resources of this productive region to their present stage of intensive cultivation. A native of Illinois, Mr. Baldwin was born in Yorktown, Bureau County, January 20, 1861. When he was a young lad his father removed to near Watertown, N.Y., and there operated a woolen mill, and at the age of ten Frank H. started to work in the mill. He afterwards returned to Illinois, and rented land for two years and farmed in Whiteside County, later purchasing the property. He first owned 120 acres, to which he made additions until his place comprised 240 acres, and he engaged in the dairy business, also raising sheep and fine horses.
In 1899 Mr. Baldwin came to Pomona, and in the fall of that year purchased his present ranch, which originally consisted of twelve and one-half acres with trees coming two years old. He added to this acreage until the place now includes twenty-three acres, twenty of which is planted to oranges, two acres to walnuts, and one to a family orchard. On acquiring the property, seven acres of the ranch had been set to prunes, which he replaced with oranges. His success as an orange grower was assured from the beginning, and his place is known as one of the best improved ranches in the Valley.
Nine years after locating in Pomona, Mr. Baldwin sold his Illinois property and bought 140 acres near Chino, for which he paid $40 per acre; he sunk a well on the place and with 150 inches of water seeded ninety acres to alfalfa. In four years time he sold the property for $30,000. In 1909 he purchased 1,957 acres near Creston, San Luis Obispo County; this he kept for a short time and then traded a part of it for a 200-acre ranch near Wasco, Kern County, which he still owns. Sixty acres of this land has been seeded to alfalfa and thirty acres is in grapes. Later he disposed of the balance of his San Luis Obispo property at a cash sale. His Pomona ranch is highly productive, and is an example of what thorough methods of cultivation and management can accomplish in this section; he has twelve-inch cement pipes for irrigating purposes, and for some years was a director in the Packard Tract Water Company. His fruit is marketed through the Pomona Fruit Growers Exchange, and he is a firm believer in cooperation as a means of advancing the best interests of ranchers in any section.
In Whiteside County, Ill., in 1889, Mr. Baldwin married Miss Alma E. Lane, a native of that state, and they had two children, H. Lynn and Alene; the mother died in September, 1908. His second marriage, which occurred in Pasadena, Cal., in 1910, united Mr. Baldwin with Mary E. Lane, a cousin of his first wife, and they are the parents of a daughter, Lorena.
Prominent in Masonic circles, Mr. Baldwin is a member of Pomona Lodge No. 246, F. & A. M., Pomona Chapter No. 76, R. A. M., Pomona Council, R. & S. M., and also Pomona Chapter No. 110, O. E. S. Mrs. Baldwin is present Worthy Matron of Pomona Chapter No. 110, O. E. S., in which she has been an active worker and efficient officer. Mr. Baldwin has proven himself a real factor in the upbuilding of Pomona Valley and holds a prominent place among its representative citizens.
History of Pomona Valley, California, with Biographical Sketches
of The Leading Men and Women of the Valley Who Have Been
Identified With Its Growth and Development from the Early Days
to the Present
Published in Los Angeles, Cal., by the Historic Record Company
1920
Transcribed by Linda Jackson 10/10/08, Pages 541-542
Los Angeles County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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