WI BIO - Dane Co - BALDWIN, Phineas
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893. Vol II, pp 384-385

Hon. Phineas BALDWIN, one of the leading and influential Republicans of the 
city of Madison, Dane County, WI, was born in the county of Kent, Canada, 04 
Dec 1824. His father, David S. BALDWIN, was born in Litchfield [Litchfield 
County], CT, whose father, Phineas BALDWIN, was born in the same place. The 
great great grandfather of our subject, John BALDWIN, was a native of Europe 
and was kidnapped when a mere child; was brought to America and sold for his 
passage. He was reared in CT, where he was married; reared 10 sons and 
finally died at the ripe old age of 104. The great grandfather of our 
subject spent his entire life in CT. He reared three sons, all of whom 
served in the Revolutionary War. The grandfather of our subject married in 
CT, from thence moved to Canada and settled near Bellville, where he spent 
the remainder of his days. The maiden name of his wife was Sarah LANDON, a 
native of CT; she died near Morpeth, at an advanced age. The father of our 
subject was young when [p 385] his parents removed to Canada and located in 
Kent County, where David S. BALDWIN married and was one of the first settlers 
of the county. He secured a tract of Government land in the present 
locality of Clearville, on Talbot Street. Here he built a log house, where 
our subject was born. At this time there were plenty of wild game, such as 
deer, bears, etc., and there were no railroads there for years. The people 
subsisted on the wild game and products of their land. After a few years the 
father built a frame house, cleared the land and resided in Canada until 
1849. He then came to WI and settled in Dane County, where he bought a tract 
of 600 acres of land in the town of Oregon, on which he resided until his 
death. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Catherine ROOME, 
born in Nova Scotia, of English ancestry. After the death of her husband she 
returned to Canada and resided with her daughter until her death, at age 87.

The father of our subject kept public house at Clearville [Kent County, 
Canada] for many years, and for 17 years had the contract to carry the mail, 
a part of the time from St. Thomas to Erie, and the remainder from St. Thomas 
to Amherstburg.

Our subject, Phineas BALDWIN, was one of 10 children and was reared in his 
native county. The summer before he was 13 years of age he began to carry 
the mail. He rode on horseback from St. Thomas to Erie, a distance of 65 
miles, through a dense wood part of the way, with the wolves howling in his 
wake. When he was 18 years of age he began to learn the trade of woodturner, 
and followed that for four years, and then engaged in farming and stage 
driving. In 1854 he came to Dane County, WI, and engaged in farming until 
1879, and in 1882 came to Madison, Dane County, WI, where he has resided 
continuously ever since. A portion of the time he was engaged in the sale of 
real estate, but is now engaged in the sale of musical instruments.

Phineas BALDWIN was married in 1846 to Mehitable YOUNG, born near Decoes 
Falls, Canada; a daughter of Philip and Mary YOUNG. She died in 1853, and in 
1855 Phineas BALDWIN was married a second time, this marriage being to Eliza 
M. MONTGOMERY, born in Erie County, NY, daughter of Henry and Maria 
MONTGOMERY.

Phineas BALDWIN has been an ardent Republican ever since the formation of the 
party [1854]. His efforts for the party have been rewarded by several 
offices, which he has filled with signal ability. Among the offices held by 
him are Justice of the Peace, which office he held for 21 years in the town 
of Oregon and two years in the city of Madison; one term as Alderman in the 
city of Madison; 15 years a member of the Town Board of Oregon; eight years a 
member of the County Board of Supervisors, and in 1870 was chosen Sheriff of 
Dane County and served two years. In 1872 he was elected to the State 
Legislature, and so acceptably did he serve that in 1877 he was returned to 
the same position by the people of his district. In all the offices he has 
held he has proven himself a good official and citizen.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly