J. M. Baldwin
A beautiful farm of three hundred and twenty acres, pleasantly located in Madison Township, Fayette County, three miles from Cook, is the home of this well-known farmer and stock-raiser. He was born on this place August 20, 1815, the land having formerly been owned by his grandfather, Capt. John Baldwin, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and a native of Virginia. While residing there and during those troublous times, he raised a company, pledging his own means for their pay. He served through the entire war under Washington, receiving his pay in Continental money and a land warrant. The money being valueless, Capt. Baldwin was obliged to sell his possessions in the Old Dominion in order to keep his promise to the soldiers. Thus left without resources, he came to Ohio and located in Fayette County, where he was obliged to part with half of his land in order to get his warrant placed. His advent into the county was made in the spring of 1812, and the succeeding fall he was followed by his large family of fourteen children. Capt. Baldwin departed this life in 1820, his remains being buried on the ground laid off by himself on the farm which our subject occupies.
Jonah Baldwin, the direct progenitor of our subject, was born in 1773, and is the twin brother of William. He grew to mature years in Virginia, and was there married, in 1803, to Mary Bland, by whom he became the father of eight children, viz: John, Catherine, Hannah, Margaret, J. M., Joseph, Susan and Nancy. The children were all given a good education, the sons aiding their father in clearing and improving the home farm. Mr. Jonah Baldwin served his fellow-townsmen as Constable, and his eldest son held the office of Justice of the Peace for a number of terms.
The father of our subject, who was born March 7, 1773, died September 13, 1850, while his wife, who was born August 19, 1783, departed this life October 16, 1886. Mr. Baldwin of this sketch is the proprietor of two hundred and forty acres of land in Adams County, Ind., and has purchased the interest of all the heirs of the old homestead, with the exception of his sister Margaret's share. Like his father and grandfather before him, he is a Democrat in politics, and during his incumbency of the office of Constable he performed the duties of that position in a most satisfactory manner.
From PORTRAIT & BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF FAYETTE, PICKAWAY AND MADISON COUNTIES, OHIO - Chapman Bros. [Chicago, 1892]