The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-03-02
DESCENDANT OF
CROMWELL'S ARMY
SOON TO CELEBRATE
S7TH BIRTHDAY

Kansas City, March 2.-Descending
from line Of ancestry which is dis
tinctly recorded back to an officer
of Cromwell's army, Colonel Elias
Briggs Baldwin, Kansas pioneer. SOL
der and teacher is today approaching
his S7th birthday.
Colonel Baldwin was born June T..
1884 near Poughkcepsie, n. Y, being
the eldest of fifteen children. He was
educated in East Greenwich. Rhode
Island, Academy, and when a young
man was principal of school in
Auburn, n. Y, where he formed a
lasting friendship with William IL.
Seward, who later became secretary
of state in the cabinet of Abraham
Lincoln.
When the war between the states
bazed forth, young Baldwin was ac-
tive in the organization of the 36th
Illinois volunteer infantry, under Pres
1dent Lincoln's first call for troops,
and was made a captain in that regi-
ment. During the rivalry as to which
regiment should be accepted first ami
in succession under the presidents
call Captain Baldwin wrote to Secre-
tary Seward, urging the acceptance of
the 3Gth Illinois, and Seward replied
that it would be accepted as soon as
II might be ready
As captain of company G. in this
regiment, Baldwin succeeded Capt
afterwards generaD Phil II. Sheri-
dan as quartermaster al Springfield.
Mo, at which time all supplies passed
Through his hands to General Franz
Sigel in the battle Of Pea Ridge, Mo.
Baldwin was later advanced to
lieutenant colonelcy of the Sth Mis-
souri, cavalry and was chief Of staff
under Gen. Frank Heron. At one
time he was provost marshal of the
third division of the army of the
frontier.
In 1868 Colonel Baldwin located at
Ottawa, Kan, but the following year
removed TO Labette county, where he
continued to reside almost continuous
ly until his death. He was elected COM
mander of his local post of the G. A. |
r, many times, was "a member of the |
Loyal Legion and held numerous Of |
fices of public trust. He was a dele /
gate TO the national republican con- .
ventton from Iowa which first nomi- .
mated General Grant for the presi-
dency.
Colonel Baldwin was a lineal de-
scendant of the family of Lieut.. Col
George Baldwin, Haselriggs regiment,
in the English parliamentary war un-
der Protector Oliver Cromwell. and
afterwards colonial settler at oyster
Bay, y. Y, during the days OF Gov.
Peter Stuyvesant.
Colonel Baldwin was twice married
His first wife was Julia Champion,
daughter of distinguished New Eng
land ancestry. BY this union three
sons were born: Evelyn b. Baldwin,
Arctic explorer. now in the government
service at Washington; Milton ~
Of Princeton. H., ana Burton L.. OF
Miami, Okla. His second wife was
Lydia Gibbs Of Bridgeton, Maine. BY ]
this marriage two children were born.
one OF whom survives-Mrs. Julia A. ,
Ball Of IAbette county.
Evelyn y. Baldwin. whro is 80
years old. has lived as active a life ,
as that OF his father his experience
ranging all the way from mushing
through the icy wastes of the north ,
10 aiding In bringing sustenance TO
ihc starving babies Of Belgium dur {
ing the war with Germany. !
He toured Europe on foot and
astride a bicycle taught school. has {
acted rs observer for the weather /
bureau. inspector-at-arge for the U. {
;. signal corps. accompanies Peary on '
his Greenland expedition, was sec t
ond In command OF Walter Wellman's h
expedition to Franz Josef land, built
posts and depots in the Arctic zone. @