PORTAGE COUNTY OHIO
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File contributed to the Ohio Biographies Project by:
Betty Ralph
bralph@HiWAAY.net
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Copyright © 1999 by  Betty Ralph. This copy contributed for use in
the OH Biographies Project.  bralph@hiwaay.net


from "History of Portage County, Ohio" published by Warner, Beers & Co., 
Chicago, 1885

ALVA BALDWIN, farmer, P.O. Palmyra, Portage Co., Ohio, was born in Warren,
Litchfield Co., Conn., July 4, 1795, son of John T. and Catherine (McArthur)
Baldwin, natives of Milford, Conn., who came to this county by wagon in
1805, arriving at the farm on July 7.  Theirs was the first wagon that
crossed the county, there being but two or three families in the southern
part of the township.  John T. Baldwin took up eighty acres of land, and
after paying for his land had $7 left.  He and our subject participated in
the war of 1812.  They went out at Hull's surrender, with the fourth
Division of Ohio Militia under Gen. Wadsworth.  Our subject had his father's
team, and while at Cleveland they met Gen. Harrison, who employed John T.
Baldwin to pick up all the provisions for the army he could find.  They were
out all winter.  Soon after the close of that struggle they went to Detroit,
and from thence, in 1815, to Toledo with a party of twelve men.  The party
consisted of Col. McArthur; Maj. Munsfield, of Atwater; Horatio Day, Lewis
Ely and Merrick Ely, of Deerfield; Capt. John T. Baldwin and Alva Baldwin,
of Palmyra; Judge King, of Stowe, with some discharged soldier from Detroit,
all on foot, with each a United State knapsack on his back, well stored with
provisions and blankets.  There was no settlement at Toledo at that time.
John T. Baldwin took up land at Bean Creek, and through his landed
possessions became wealthy.  Three sons accompanied him from Palmyra to
Toledo.  He subsequently built a vessel on the Cuyahoga.  He died at the age
of sixty-three years at Toledo, Ohio, where his estimable wife had also
departed this life.  The youngest son, Marcus, who is a resident of Toledo,
and Alva, our subject, are the only survivors of their children.  The latter
returned to the homestead farm in Palmyra Township, this county, where he
remained, and is now passing the declining years of his life surrounded by
his children and grandchildren.  Mr. Baldwin was married in Ravenna, in
1818, to Sally Andrus, daughter of Benjamin Andrus.  To this union two
children were born:  Andrus T., and Lucinda who died October 4, 1838, at the
age of twelve years.  Andrus T. was born on the homestead farm in 1820.  He
has been engaged in various pursuits, and for twelve years was in the
hardware trade at Medina and Ravenna.  In 1884 he disposed of his business
and removed to the homestead to care for and live with his respected parent
through the latter part of his existence.  He was married November 5, 1839,
in Palmyra, to Samantha Daniels, a native of Medway, Mass., born August 29,
1821.  She died February 23, 1861, leaving one son - Alvah V., who was born
July 2, 1840, was thoroughly educated for a physician and surgeon, and was a
graduate of the old and new schools of Cleveland.  He was a student of the
lamented President Garfield, and was a young man of pronounced ability, and
gained a strong hold on the hearts of all who knew him.  He was married to
Eliza Merwin, who bore him three children, all now living:  Ida S., Gustave
W. and Clayton R.  His widow resides in Palmyra.  Andrus T. was married the
second time in 1873, the lady being Ella Olmstead, a native of Palmyra.  By
this union are two children, both now living:  John B. and Minnie S.