E. J. Baldwin’s Early Accomplishments

Elias Jackson Baldwin was born in Hamilton County, Ohio on April 3, 1828.He was of English heritage, his great, great grandfather came form England and settled in America in 1770’s. His father was a preacher and farmer, and his mother was well educated. Early in life Baldwin’s unique traits were evident: resourcefulness, independence and determination. He made the most of every situation, and taught himself skills needed to improve “his lot.” Did you know that he owned a saloon and grocery store in Valparaiso, Indiana at the age of twenty? He had the $2,000 to make the purchase. Next, in New Buffalo, Michigan, he purchased a general store and built three canal boats, the first used on the new Illinois Canal. These boats gave cheap freight transportation from Chicago to St. Louis.

With the sale of the canal boat transportation venture, Baldwin purchased a grocery business and “ Hotel Racine” in Racine, Wisconsin. At age 25, in 1853, he sold out, purchased the best equipment and headed his wagon train across the plains toward California. What a remarkable young man he was!