Windsor

BALDWIN, Melvin R.

Men of Vermont: an Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters and Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro, VT: Transcript Pub. Co., 1894, Part III, p 10

Melvin R. BALDWIN, of Duluth [St. Louis County], Minnesota, was born 12 April 
1838 in Windsor County [Vermont]. Removed to [the Territory of] Wisconsin in 
1847. [Wisconsin became a state 29 May 1848]. In 1855 he entered Lawrence 
University, Appleton [Outagamie County], Wisconsin, remaining through the 
sophomore year; studied law; and then adopted civil engineering as a 
profession. He was engaged on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad until 19 
April 1861.

Melvin R. BALDWIN enlisted as a private in Company E, Second Wisconsin 
Infantry, brigaded with the Iron Brigade. He was slightly wounded at the 
first, and severely wounded at the second battle of Bull Run; promoted to 
captain of his company; was captured at Gettysburg and confined to Libby, 
Macon, Georgia, Charleston, and Columbia, South Carolina. He made two 
escapes, but was recaptured, and was finally exchanged after seventeen months 
of imprisonment.

After the war Mr. BALDWIN engaged in operative railroad work in Kansas; was 
general superintendent four years; removed to Minnesota in 1875, and has 
resided in Duluth, Minnesota, since 1885. He has been president of the 
Duluth Chamber of Commerce since 1886. He has always a Democrat; twice 
declined Congressional nomination; nominated by acclamation in August 1892, 
and was elected to the Fifty-third Congress.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly