San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 900
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 10/2/2009
JOHN BALDWIN
For over thirty years John Baldwin was a pioneer settler and prominent citizen of San Joaquin County. He passed away at the home of his daughter in San Francisco, April 27, 1913, aged almost ninety. He was associated with many of the early events in the county, as well as with its later progress and improvement and to the activities of these early settlers the generation of today owes much. He was born in Potosi, Mo., May 29, 1823, a son of William John and Ann (Kirkpatrick) Baldwin, natives of Mississippi and Tennessee, respectively. The Baldwin family were originally from Holland, while the Kirkpatrick family were from Scotland, both families coming to America soon after the eventful voyage of the Mayflower. John Baldwin received a good education in the private schools of his native state and remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-five years old, when he crossed the plains over the Oregon Trail to Oregon City, Willamette Valley. The next year he came to California, arriving in May, 1849, and engaged in mining on the American River until 1851, when he returned to his home in the South via the Isthmus of Panama. One year later, with his mother and sister, he again crossed the plains to California, this time settling in Yolo County, where he engaged in general merchandising at Knights Landing on the Sacramento River, remaining there until 1860, when he removed to San Joaquin County.
On March 29, 1855, at Knights Landing, Mr. Baldwin was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Kirk, a native of Missouri. Mrs. Baldwin accompanied her brothers, John W., Thomas, James and Joe Kirk, to California; and they purchased and settled on a ranch near Bellota, known as the Bluett ranch; later, in 1860, this ranch was purchased by Mr. Baldwin. Here he and his wife spent over thirty years of their married life, and here all their children were born. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin, five of whom grew up. Thomas J. married Lilla Cody; John K. married Myrtle Berry; Edward L. married Mary M. Jacobs; Maude A. became Mrs. Walter E. Bidwell; and Henry G. is now deceased.
In 1899, Mr. Baldwin left his ranch and removed to Stockton, where he lived with his son, John K., and on April 27, 1913, he passed away at the home of his daughter in San Francisco. He was a prominent member of the Grange Lodge, and in politics voted the Democratic ticket. His church affiliations were with the Baptist denomination. Mr. Baldwin worked his way gradually upward to prosperity, and his life history exemplified the statement that success has its foundation in earnest and honorable labor.
History of
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
With A
Biographical Review
of
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified with Its Growth and Development
from the Early Days to the Present
HISTORY BY
George H. Tinkham
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1923
San Joaquin County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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