Seymour Wesley Baldwin

Seymour Wesley Baldwin

• Find A Grave Memorial ID # 53785442
• Memorial of Seymour W. Baldwin of Elyria, Ohio and of Fidelia (Hall) Baldwin, his wife

THE BALDWIN FAMILY

Among the leading families of the Western Reserve, none occupies a higher local standing than that of the Baldwin family of Elyria and Cleveland.

For nearly three-quarters of a century the family has been represented in northern Ohio and numbered among its representatives’ men prominent in mercantile, banking and judicial circles. Reference is especially made to the late Seymour Wesley Baldwin, the Western philanthr0pist, merchant, banker, philanthropist, highly esteemed and useful citizen; his sons, the late Judge Charles Candee Baldwin of Cleveland, for years presiding judge of the Court of Appeals of Northern Ohio, and an author of high standing; Hon. David Candee Baldwin, successful merchant, officer in the Civil War, banker, two terms representative to the general assembly and valued citizen; another son of Seymour Wesley Baldwin, John Hall Baldwin, a manufacturer of New York, and still another, Wilbur Rice Baldwin, of Elmira, New York. Samuel Prentice Baldwin, son of Judge Baldwin, is a successful attorney in Cleveland.

The family is one of long standing in New England, tracing their ancestry to Richard Baldwin, who settled in Milford, Connecticut, in 1639. Charles Baldwin, the father of Seymour Wesley, was a farmer and resided at Meriden, New Haven County, Connecticut, where he died in 1818. He married Susannah Hine, who with seven children survived him. The parents were devout members of the Methodist Church, and their home was the headquarters for the preachers of that church traveling through that country. Seymour Wesley Baldwin was the youngest son of his parents and was born in Meriden, Connecticut, June 29, 1807. He went to district school winters, working on the farm summers, and was thought to have considerable education when he attended the Episcopal Academy at Cheshire for one winter.

When seventeen, Seymour commenced his business life as a peddler. This mode of life was the common and almost only one open to enterprising and respectable young men, and many prominent citizens in after days commenced as "Connecticut peddlers." When all goods had to be carted overland, this was quite the natural mode of trade. The carriage of goods by railroad has nearly abolished this mode of trade and vastly lowered its dignity. The field was on foot, or with horse and wagon in the New England states and Long Island, or with wagon in the south, and with regular routes and customers.

Seymour soon entered partnership with his brother Jesse, under the firm of J. & S. Baldwin, as a country merchant, in Oxford, Connecticut, then a more thriving village than at present. The business was general; while at first one of the brothers peddled, they also employed agents and manufactured silver spoons. Soon outgrowing Oxford, J. & S. Baldwin removed to Middletown, Connecticut. The energy, ability and high character of the brothers had already become recognized in New York. That celebrated New York merchant and philanthropist, Mr. William E. Dodge, in his little book on "Old New York," published by Dodd, Mead & Company, in 188o, selected the two brothers and a comrade, who, together, entered his store with trunks, as typical samples of Connecticut merit and success. They all became prominent and valued customers and friends of Mr. Dodge. Mr. Dodge mentioned that Mr. Jesse Baldwin had then been a bank president for twenty years, and the third a large manufacturer. Mr. Dodge then spoke of the subject of this sketch at greater length and with much respect. Both brothers became, in Georgia, strong anti-slavery men—Jesse a leading abolitionist, while Seymour was a Whig, becoming an early Free-Soiler. Possibly his wagons at Elyria may sometimes have traveled on the Underground Railroad, for his works were always with his faith.

In May, 1835, though the south was a more alluring field for money, Mr. Baldwin, with his young wife and an infant son, removed to Elyria. Here, with a magnificent physical constitution, he displayed great energy. At that time there was a general barter trade, and but very little money. The heavy timber was burned into ashes; ashes, pot and pearl, were considered "cash," being sent to Pittsburg for glass manufacture and to New York. Dry goods and groceries were bought in New York; came by canal to Buffalo; thence by boat to Cleveland, or more commonly Black River. No goods came through in the winter, and such replenishing as took place came by Pittsburg, to Cleveland, being hauled from Baltimore and Philadelphia to the first named city. Hauling was a large business, and one spring Mr. Baldwin met, east of Pittsburgh, within ten miles, as many as fifty wagons. After a while some goods were bought of the firm of Hillard & Hayes, in Cleveland.

In the early spring, goods were hauled from Buffalo west, before that harbor was opened to Silver Creek or elsewhere, to meet the boats; and D. B. Andrews, formerly partner of Mr. Baldwin, going down on a steamer, was compelled to land in Canada, caught cold, and died in Buffalo. The cheapest goods were then in demand. There were even no ingrain carpets in Elyria until about 1845. Mr. Baldwin was at first in company with Orrin Cowles, of Meriden. They separated, and he bought out (for the sake of the corner stand) Wilcox & Beebe, successors of the Lorain Iron Company. That store long remained with Mr. Baldwin's sign, "Old New York Store."

Then commenced the very energetic competition which made Elyria noted for trade. H. K. Kendall, a merchant of great ability, then had the leading trade. He was first on the ground, and there had been great falls in prices, of which he had the credit. A merchant's life was then laborious. Mr. Baldwin used to go by stage before navigation opened in the lake—sometimes by Buffalo and sometimes by Pittsburgh—to New York and Philadelphia. It was a great thing to get the first goods in the spring, and he studied the matter carefully, spending several days in Albany. He loaded the canal boats in New York, being careful to have the boats filled with his own goods only, and early went to Albany before the canal was opened. There boats had a right to go in order of registry. For several years he offered prizes for being among the first ten boats at Buffalo. But there was danger of being too early; as, if unloaded at Buffalo in warehouse, the lake-boats would take fresh canal-boats rather than from the warehouse, thereby saving one loading; and at the first decided triumph, when his rival had advertised the first goods, Mr. Baldwin passed those first goods safely stored at Buffalo, saw his own loaded in boat, got the boat to land at Black River, and accompanied the goods to Elyria long before his rival arrived. Such single incidents seem small, but it was the many such struggles that made Elyria the center of trade for from fifteen to twenty miles east and west and twenty-five miles south. The chief competitors for this large trade went safely through the hard times of 1837 to 1840. In 1836 there was a general suspension of banks, and there was no resumption until 1840. There was "Michigan Wild Cat," the worst currency imaginable. Mr. Baldwin once having flour to sell on commission, the farmers seemed very glad to get anything for such currency; and when he announced that he would charge a dollar more for currency than for barter, the money came in only the faster.

Produce was generally taken as cash and sold again at home without profit. It was very difficult for the farmers to get enough money to pay taxes, and Mr. Baldwin earned the lasting gratitude of one farmer by giving him two dollars hard money at the current price for butter. The business afterward increased so that the firm of Elyria sold at times $150,000 to $200,000, and a branch at Wellington (Baldwin, Laundon & Co.) two-thirds as much. A large share was paid in produce, the firm at Elyria handling $50,000 to $60,000 worth of butter in a year. The firms, employed at one time about forty clerks. The rivalry at Elyria was famous, and a retired New York merchant once remarked that, as a country store, Mr. Baldwin's was as remarkable in its way as that of Mr. Stewart's in New York City. Railroads largely revolutionized the trade. Mr. Baldwin never tried to make large profits, and never lost money but one year—about 1840-- the year the banks were required to resume in Ohio. He paid a Cleveland bank, which announced its intention to resume, thirteen per cent premium in its own bills for a draft on New York ten days before the appointed time. The draft was paid; the bank did not resume. At that time merchants refused to sell at any price for the currency of the country.

Mr. Baldwin was a man of very unusual poise of character. With such a business, which, by its economy of labor and low profits, did the farmers of Lorain county a very large amount of saving, he himself cared not for wealth. Always economical, never ostentatious, when he came to Elyria, he resolved that when he had acquired a moderate competency he would retire. In 1847, in accord with that resolve, he returned to Meriden, though it is doubtful if he would have been willing to quit unless he had become the leader. He started there a ready-pay store and became the president of the Home—now Home National—Bank, which post he resigned on his return to Elyria. He was also a member of the banking firm of Wick, Otis & Brownell, of Cleveland. He became acquainted with the senior member of the firm, William A. Otis, while waiting at Albany to see his goods through. In 1856 he returned to Elyria, and losses invited his return; but he had no ambition for business in large places, in 1847 having declined an invitation to become a partner in the leading house in Cleveland, and at other times received favorable invitations to New York. His energy and business judgment would have gained him wealth and standing in large places, but Mr. Baldwin had such mastery of life that he had no such ambition.

In 1870 Mr. Baldwin went abroad for travel, and afterward virtually retired from business. In 1874 he had so severe an attack of pneumonia that his death was reported; but a vigorous constitution and pure life carried him through, and he lived until the fourth day of February, 1891. He continued active in his care of an invalid wife until her death in 1886 cared for his garden, gave slight attention to the business of the bank, of which he was many years director; and engaged to some extent in other private business. He was always an intelligent reader, having a strong historical taste. Mr. Baldwin was also much interested in the building of a new Methodist church, donating the lot on the public square and in other ways assisting the enterprise, giving the plans and the erection of the building much thought and time. He was a man of sturdy independence of character, with a frank toleration of the opinions of others, which steadily increased with his advancing years. An interchange of thought became a pleasure, for his interviewer was sure of a fair hearing, however diverse might be his views.

Few men were wiser than Mr. Baldwin in the education of his children, for he took much pain to instruct them in general business and care of property, by conversation and early experience. He always took a deep interest in the success of the many young men with whom he was associated and was their practical and wise assistant. Said Dr. Hoyt at his funeral: "Coming as Mr. Baldwin did from Puritan stock, he early inherited some of its marked peculiarities. He always had an intense antipathy to whatever he regarded as meanness, to ingratitude and to every form and manifestation of injustice. He prized personal,' political and religious freedom, and he sought in every way, as he had opportunity, to protect the helpless and the oppressed and to guard against the encroachment of power."

Mr. Baldwin was always much interested in what he regarded as the best interests of Elyria in political or business matters, and in early days when railroading was a problem, was a director in the Junction Railroad—built through Elyria and now a part of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway.

On November 15, 1831, Mr. Baldwin was married (first) to Mary E. Candee, born in Oxford, Connecticut, August 2, 1813, daughter of David and Hannah (Catlin) Candee. She was a bright, active and intelligent young woman of French Huguenot family, early settled in Connecticut, and descended through her mother from such worthies as William Pynchon, first treasurer of Massachusetts Colony and the founder of Springfield; Captain Wadsworth, who hid the famous Connecticut charter, and John Allyn, secretary of that colony in Andros' time. Mrs. Baldwin died at Elyria September 23, 1836, at the age of twenty-three years. Two children were born to this union: Charles Candee, who was born December 2, 1834, and died February 2, 1895, and David Candee, born September 18, 1836. Mr. Baldwin was again married on September 2, 1837, to Fidelia, daughter of Dr. Theophilus and Bertha (Merriam) Hall, of Meriden, Connecticut. She was born April 20, 1810, and died October 5, 1886.

The Baldwin genealogy, by one of her stepsons, testifies "to the sterling worth and great kindness of as good a stepmother as ever lived." To this union two sons were born: John Hall, born August 16, 1838, who is a manufacturer in New York, and Wilbur Rice; born September 12, 1841, resides in Elmira, New York.

Hon. David Candee Baldwin, second son of Seymour Wesley, and the only surviving member of the family in Elyria, was born in that place September 18, 1836, and was out five days old when his mother died. His father was left with the care of two infants, the older son not yet being two years of age. David was at first cared for by Mrs. Sarah Goodwin, who had a son of the same age. Seymour Wesley Baldwin's second wife, Fidelia Hall, as gentle and conscientious as any mother could be, came into the care of these two small children. She was for many years in ill health, a feeble, tender woman, strong in her past life, and in her character. Her own children were far away, in distant states of the Union, and no own son could have been more attentive, thoughtful, and kind than was the stepson who lost his own mother when five days old. She should certainly have joined him as tenderly as if he were her own; and she did.

When David Candee was ten years old his father returned to Connecticut where he remained about ten years. David was educated at the best schools to be found, first in Meriden with Hon. David N. Camp, distinguished in Connecticut, and Hon. H. D. Smith, also a leader; next with Daniel H. Chase, LL.D., who was one of the best-known instructors in Connecticut in his day, and who. died a few years ago at an advanced age, being at the time of his death the oldest alumnus of Wesleyan University. David Baldwin closed his education at Wilbraham Academy under Dr. Paul B. Raymond, late president of Wesleyan. His father had high hopes of his practical business qualities, and he went at once into a store at Meriden in which his father was partner.

On the return to Elyria, he went into the store then of Baldwin, Laundon and Nelson. Through his father he had an interest in the business, and he contributed in a large degree to the eminent success of the firm. His excellent sense and judgment, his easy tact, graceful manners and strict and high integrity made him an excellent salesman and an early favorite with the public. On the reorganization of that firm in 1872, it became D. C. Baldwin & Company, composed of his father, himself and Mr. John Lersch, he has principal charge of the very large business of the firm. The leading wholesale merchant of Cleveland once remarked that no better merchant entered his store than Mr. Baldwin. In time the firm became Baldwin, Lersch & Company, composed of the same partners, and later, by the death of S. W. Baldwin, Mr. Lersch took gradually a more responsible part in accordance with his own wishes and those of David Candee Baldwin.

Mr. Baldwin has a fine skill and judgment in mechanics, and it is easy. to see that, with his business ability, if he had remained in Meriden, he would probably have engaged in manufacturing as was indeed his first taste, and he would have become eminent. He has an excellent library, which is especially rich in archaeology, and his opinions are much respected. He gave some months and considerable expense to the exhibit of "Man and the Glacial Period" under the name of Professor G. F. Wright and himself in the anthropological building at the Columbian Exposition.

He has been very generous to the Western Reserve Historical Society of Cleveland, of which his brother, Charles C., was president, having aided handsomely in the acquiring of its building and still more handsomely in the objects of the society. The D.C. Baldwin Collection was the first extensive collection of archaeology donated to the society, and it is probably unexcelled by any of the same size in the United States. On the reorganization of that very successful society, in 1892, Mr. Baldwin was one of its incorporators; he is also a patron and an honored advisor. With no wish for wealth for its own sake, and with more than means to gratify his wants, no one person has known his generosity. Whether as lieutenant in the Civil war, or bank director or holding other office, he has simply taken what was in the plane line of duty with no shrinking from care, but with no desire for place besides. Deep in his heart is the idea of the Moravian prayer, "Preserve us from the unhappy desire of becoming great."

A staunch Republican in his political faith, Mr. Baldwin has ever been much interested in the success of the party, but never cared much for public office. However, in 1894, he was nominated by acclamation and elected representative from Lorain county to the Ohio general assembly, and again was renominated by acclamation, and re-elected for the second term, serving his constituents faithfully and well. He is vice president of the National Bank of Elyria, succeeding his father. He is a companion in the Military Order of the Loya1 Legion of the United States, member of Elijah Hayden Post, G.A.R., member of the Elyria Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Congregational Society, serving several years as president of the same.

Mr. Baldwin was married on May 1, 1878, to Miss Josephine Staub, born in Circleville, Ohio, October 19, 1852. daughter of Rev. Henry and Margaret (Guildner) Staub, the former a clergyman of the Baptist church. Mrs. Baldwin is a lady of fine education, with a very active mind and much intellectual strength. They are both addicted to reading and to travel, having journeyed abroad thrice, as well as extensively toured this country.

Mr. Baldwin's life has been quite without such incident as is usually mentioned in a biography. He did not adventure himself as a pioneer in a new country or start business in a new place. To those who know him it is evident he would have been successful in any line of life he chose, as he has been in what he has chosen. He has been a prominent citizen, and especially a leader in such good deeds as need sympathy, active work and a benevolent contribution.

Few men have that even poise of character that saves them from being carried away by the world, by the desire of wealth, of power or of political position. Mr. Baldwin's distinction is, as was his fathers before him, his character. He is successful; of ample fortune, but not desiring large wealth; well educated by schooling, reading, by travel, and by experience; well married; happy in society, and his own home and abroad hospitable, thoroughly appreciated by all who know him; intelligent, with tact and generosity; having a most charming home, with such reasonable hobbies as occupy his mind; happily contented, independent in his own pursuits, and able to gratify every wish of himself or his appreciative wife. Altogether Mr. Baldwin has lived a life that is to be envied, and he stands today as one of Lorain county's first citizens, and a credit to the excellent New England ancestry from which he descends.

Western Reserve Historical Society
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Baldwin was a the son of Charles Baldwin and Susannah Hine, was born in Meriden, New Haven County, Connecticut on July 29, 1807. He was educated at district school, and at the Episcopal Academy at Cheshire, New Haven County, Connecticut. Some time before manhood, he commenced life as a Yankee peddler, first in the North and then in the South.

When twenty-one, he became a merchant in Oxford, Connecticut with his brother Jesse as J. & S. Baldwin, selling goods there and sending out peddlers. They were also engaged in the manufacture of silver spoons. There he married with MARY ELIZABETH CANDEE. They wed on November 15, 1831. She was daughter of David Candee (David 5, David 4, Caleb 3, Samuel 2, Zaccheus 1). She was born in Oxford, Connecticut on August 2, 1813, and educated there at Middletown, and partly in New Haven. (see pg. 147-148 for more info on the Candee family). She died September 23, 1836; he died February 4, 1891. Both are buried at Ridgelawn Cemetery in Elyria, Lorain County, Ohio.

In 1831 the firm of J. & S. Baldwin moved to Middletown, Middlesex County, Connecticut and Seymour; in May 1835, to Elyria, Lorain County, Ohio. In 1847, having acquired a competence as he had fixed upon when he first went to Elyria, he returned to Meriden. He was there soon engaged in various business, being President of the Meriden Machine Company, the first President of the Home Bank, now the Home National Bank, as well as a partner of a banking firm in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

In 1856, he resigned the presidency of the Home Bank and returned to Elyria and his original business, his firm also establishing a branch store in Wellington, in the same county. At the two stores, the sales reached over four hundred thousand dollars per annum, besides produce, in which a large business was done, paying cash, or goods at cash price, as the farmer preferred. The two firms continued under the name of Baldwin, Laundon & Company in Wellington, and Baldwin, Lersch & Company, in Elyria. He resided in Elyria, where he also gave his time to the building of a church, for which he donated a fine lot.

His 1st with MARY E. CANDEE died September 23, 1836, leaving two young sons. She was described as being a bright, intelligent young woman, aged only thwenty-three years at her death. He married 2nd, in September 1837, with FIDELIA HALL, daughter of Theophilus Hall, M.D. and Bertha Merriam. She was born April 20, 1810. As of the writing of the Baldwiin Genealogy, she was still living and described by step-son Charles as being of 'sterling worth and great kindness of as good a stepmother as ever lived'.

Seymour Wesley Baldwin died February 4, 1891; his wife Fidelia died October 5, 1886; he and both wives buried at Ridgelawn Cemetery, Elyria, Lorain County, Ohio.

Children of Seymour Wesley & Mary: Charles Candee (12/2/1834) and David Candee (9/18/1936).
Children of Seymour Wesley and Fidelia: John Hall (8/16/1838) and Wilbur Rice (9/12/1841).

1850 Census: S.L. Baldwin (43, b Connecticut) and wife Fedelia H. (40, b Connecticut); in Meriden, Connecticut. w children: David C. (14, b Ohio), John H. (12, b Ohio), and William R. (9, b Ohio). He's a merchant. his name is listed as L. W. Baldwin on cover sheet.

Spouses:

• Fidelia A Hall Baldwin (1810 - 1886)*
• Mary Elizabeth Candee Baldwin (1813 - 1836)*

Burial: Ridgelawn Cemetery in Elyria, Lorain County, Ohio, United States

Baldwin Genealogy Pg. 118, 147
Silversmith