The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-26
s. MUEL w. | AL OWN
 LEaDlNG GIT ZEN IS DEAD AT 9l YEARS
Demise of Nonagenarian Re
 moves, Prominent igure From Public
Served As Director of Bank For More Than Half Century z
 His Public Services.

M s Esl
 Christmas day observance in the homes of many of the older residents of this city was saddened syesterday by the announcement of the death of Samuel w. Baldwin. He was one Of the oldest and moat prominent resi- dents of this city and the oldest bank official in the country, both in years and point of service His death oc- cured at noon yesterday at his resi- dence, 5S4 State street. He was 91. years of age.
 MT. Baldwin was man of robust physique. He enjoyed good health and remained comparatively active up to a short time before his. demise. Death came apace with the advanc- eral breakdown due to old age. Dur ing the last year he left his home seldom except on Sunday morning when he was a regular and devout at. tendant at the South Congregational church of which he had been a life long member. In former years MT. Baldwin had held office in the Eccle-f later years he declined such offices i'll favor of younger and more active men.
 Mir. Baldwin might rightly be termed sune of Bridgeport.s foremost citizens. His rise to position and prominence kept pace with the growth and expan- sion of this city and he was one of business men by whose efforts the foundation for the present prosperity of the city was laid.
 MT. Baldwin has served the city as a public official and in other capaci- ties for more than TO years. When he was IS years of age he was a torch bearer for the old volunteer drenaep when they responded to alarms. There were few street lights in those days and the streets were not paved. The old hand apparatus was drawn by the dremen as they ran and the torch bearer who lighted the way had an important function.
 A4r. Baldwin was born in Fairfield, June 1, 1923. the son of Nathan Bald win and Julia Wheeler Baldwin. The family homestead was then situated at Park avenue and Park place. Park avenue then known as Division street, was the dividing line between Bridge port and the town of Fairfield
 When MT. Baldwin was two years of age his family removed to Brew ster, N. Y, but later returned to this city. When he was IA years of age he was apprenticed to an uncle to learn the bookbinding business. Hay ing learned this business he went to Newark where he was employed for
 
 He returned to Bridgeport and in 184O started a book business Of his own in Wall street in the rear of what is now the store of the Davis & HawIey Go. In this store he estab- lshed the first circulating library in Bridgeport Tn 1852 he gave up this business to form partnership with Thomas Hawley in the hardware bus mess under the firm name of T. flaw ley & Go. The firm began business in the store at 549 Water street. Later its expanding business required the firm to secure additional space by taking the store at 553 Water street. The firm was at one time the largest dealers in agricultural implements in Fairfield county MT. Baldwin's con nection with the business continued until his death. MT. HawIey, the se- nior partner, died some years ago and for many years since business was conducted by MT. Baldwin and his son. George M. Baldwin.
 In latter years MT. Baldwin had given little or no attention to the hardware business, however, but had devoted his time chiefly to his bank ing interests. H was president of the Connecticut National bank and. the Peoples Savings bank. For long time he was president of the Burroughs Protestant Widows home and he was one of the first trustees of the Bridgeport hospital
 His banking career began in 1857 when he was elected director Of the Connecticut National bank, a position which he held the remainder of his life Tn 1877 he was elected president of the bank and this position he also held until his death. In the early sos he had been elected a director of the Peoples Savings bank and in 1904 he was elected its president, a position he held at his death.
 Mr Baldwin from his youth was deeply concerned in methods for safe guarding the city from fires. He served for 25 years on the fire board and was a member of that body when the first steam fire engine was pur- chased. It was largely due to his eff forts that the fire alarm telegraph was installed here. He served as member of the sinking fund commission for more than 50 years and at one time had in lis possession $10o,0o0 of the city's money, no bond being required of him.
 MT. Baldwin came from one of the oldest New England families The land on which the family homestead stood was held by special grant from King george dII, given the Baldwin