Letters of Marquis Baldwin

Letters of Marquis Baldwin

Feb 24, 1948

Dear Mr. Baldwin:

By separate mail I am sending you a Bulletin containing an article about your grandfather Dr. M.F. Baldwin. It is all the information I have about him. He died a few years before I began to practice here, so I did not know him personally, but I have heard from those who knew him that he was a well educated man and a good doctor. I am glad you are interested in your family history and hope you keep it up.

Yours Truly,

R Morrish

The Bulletin Article About Marquis LaFayette Baldwin; By Dr. Morrish

"The name Baldwin is a very old one, and is found as far back as the time when surnames were first used. Members of the family have been in America since the early part of the seventeenth century. Among the several Baldwins who came to this country, was Richard Baldwin of Milford, Connecticut, who came with his parents Sylvester and Sarah Bryan Baldwin. The father died June 21, 1638 on shipboard while enroute from England. Richard was baptized at Parish Aston Clinton, Buckinghamshire, on August 22, 1622 and probably was born only a short time before. He evidently had a good education for his time, and frequently appeared as an attorney before the general Court of New Haven, and his arguments were made with all the art and shrewdness of a well trained mind. On February 5th, 1642 he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Alsop. Nine children were born to Mr. And Mrs. Baldwin, and among them was a son Theophilus who spent his entire lifetime near the place of his birth. Richard Baldwin died July 23, 1665. While very little is known of the son Theophilus, it is known that he had a son Theophilus II who was active in maintaining order along the frontiers, and was at one time Captain of the Militia, and served in the Revolutionary war.

"Theophilus III had eight children, and the youngest was Daniel, born November 20, 1786 in Northville Village, New Milford, Connecticut. Daniel Baldwin married his cousin Susan Baldwin on November 8, 1809, who was the daughter of John Baldwin of Mount Toms in New Milford. Mr. Baldwin (Daniel) was a Baptist minister and resided at New Milford until 1846 when he moved to Farm Ridge, La Salle County, Illinois. He was spoken of as a brilliant and good man. A large portion of his family entered the ministry and one son, Norman Baldwin, had a pastorate in Philadelphia for many years and gained considerable renown for his activities.

"There were ten children in Daniel's family; three boys and seven girls. The fourth child of this group was Marquis LaFayette Baldwin who became a physician. He was born at the old homestead at Northville, New Milford, Connecticut, August 18, 1822. Very little is known of his early education, but he graduated from the Medical University of New York City in 1850, and started practice first in Illinois, then in the village of Genesee, Michigan. Just when he came to Michigan is not known, but there is a record of his having been a school inspector for Genesee Township in 1858 and again in 1860, and he served as supervisor in 1862. He was a Democrat in politics and showed considerable activity in township and county affairs. In 1863 he was appointed by the Governor to visit the army of the Potomac as State Surgeon. On March 3, 1883 he was appointed delegate to the State Democratic Convention which was to convene at Lansing four days later. At the time he was president of the county convention.

"Doctor Baldwin was a tall and tremendously strong man of pleasing personality. He always wore a broad brimmed head gear, sometimes a plug hat and never wore a top coat, but in its stead was accustomed to throw a large shawl over his shoulders. He was always looked upon as a good politician and could make a good speech.

"Late in life he is said to have severed his affiliation with the Democratic party and to have become a Republican and on the occasion he declared "I will give you a description. Her hair is white as the snow-capped mountain, her eyes shine like stars at night under the blue vault of heaven, her cheeks are like rubies and her teeth white as pearls. Her name? The Republican Party." An old time neighbor who remembered the incident described it as "Oratory at high speed."

"He was fond of athletics, was an exceptionally good swimmer, and to demonstrate his strength would often hold a good sized youngster in the palm of his hand at arms length.

"The Baldwin home was situated on a farm about a mile east of Genesee and here all of his children who grew to maturity were born. The doctor enjoyed a good practice and commanded the respect of his fellow practitioners. He was present in the Irving House on May 26, 1866 when the Genesee County Medical Association was organized, and acted on a committee consisting of himself, Dr. A.B. Chapin and Dr. C.V. Tyler to draft a constitution and by-laws, and he was appointed as one of the delegates to the state convention in Detroit which was to be held the following June.

"In religious faith Doctor Baldwin was a Baptist, however many of his friends in Genesee were Catholics, and he renounced his allegiance to Protestantism and joined the Catholic church.

"On October 6, 1847 he married Miss Elizabeth E. Fargo who died, together with an infant daughter, on January 20, 1850. He married a second time, but the name of his wife is not now of record and there were no children of the union. The third wife was Miss Martha Cone whose family came to Genesee county from Connecticut. There were some children born to this marriage but they all died young. The fourth and last wife was Miss Mary Bellinger who became the mother of five sons and three daughters: Carthon, Theophilus, Fayette, John and Leo, and Mrs. Agnes Burns, Mrs. Beatrice Wheeler, and Mrs. Victoria Anderson.

"While visiting relations in Ottawa, Illinois, Doctor Baldwin died January 1, 1902, and there passed on a colorful character and useful citizen in his eightieth year."

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I have two letters from Marquis to his family. They are written with a quill I think, and some of the words are difficult to make out. So, I might have transcribed some words incorrectly. Each letter has three pages, although the guy who laminated for me overlapped them. You can tell which pages go together by the numbering at the top (small in one letter, and larger in the second). I made no attempt to correct spelling, but I did put in a few periods. He capitalizes many words; I left these in. If I wasn't sure of a word I put in a (?) symbol. Here's the first letter (I have them laminated):

Letter One from Marquis LaFayette Baldwin

"Ottawa Illinois 3rd (March) 25 1901

My Dear Children:

I have been very neglectful of my Correspondence the past winter, but you have not been forgotten. I have had one of the most Comfortable winters of my life. I hope you are keeping (?) House, And that you will be happy. Flint is a nice place for a Home. I wish you would go up and see Leo (?). He is doing nicely And is so Contented. I don't go out much. Our house is modernly built and supplied with modern Conveniences; And I have had a most comfortable winter. The coming of Spring (?) in all it's genial loveliness bringing Bird-Songs And fresh foliage, to beautify the trees, And cover with a velvety carpet of green all the fields And from the desolation of winter restore the Earth to it's usual garments (?) of beauty. Let's realize And enjoy all this beauty And be happy. If we are no(t) happy the fault is in us. Sister (Aunt Jane) (?) And I are Alone most of the time. The Electric Trolley (?) cars run within three Blocks of us, And we Can go all over Town for five cts. Ottawa lies on both sides of the Illinois River And is About the size of Flint And is a very pleasant city. I used to live near here and have always loved this state and this county. There are some old People Alive here yet, that I used to know over fifty years Ago. This is a very prosperous country. I shall be anxious for a reply. With much love.

Father"

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Here's the second letter that Marquis sent to his children:

Ottawa, Illinois

Nov 11 1901

Dear Children

I owe you thanks for your letter, and for the joyous news found in it. All the Congratulations at my Command Are yours both for your promptness (?) in writing, And the feat (?) of your making me proud (?). I was going to write you every week since your's came, for I am depending on you for all the news I get from Flint. Vic (Victoria) don't (?) my letters And I want to hear often. I don't hear a word from Carthon- have not heard from Leo since last July.

I generally rise About 8 o clock and retire early. Our House is furnished with Modern improvements. Our fire never goes out. We have a (? Large? Long? Garlune?) and three tons of Chestnuts (???) and keep the whole House warm. We have City and Cistern water in the sink so we don't have to go out at all. Auntie is going to Chicago for a visit to her sons for a couple of weeks. Edward is a Doctor. Howard a Professor in a high school, and Judson (?) a mechanic and Engineer. I went (?) (to the?) office to get my big Bible from Aggie (?). Any time He can forward you to have it.

I am keeping my Ring for him, and I think I may not want it long. I get tired so easy that I am almost discouraged sometimes. We have street cars and can run all over the City. Ottawa is about the size of Flint and is a pleasant place to live. The bridge over the Illinois River is built on five stone piers and is for the Publick travel and the Str(eet), R.R., cars. Everything is awful high, apples 30cts, 40cts a peck, cabbages 3 cts a pound, butter 22 (?) Beef 12 = to 15 cts, eggs 22 a (?) Concords (/) 20 cts for 8 lbs.

Love from Father

Dr. MF Baldwin