NECROLOGY. 437 



S. A. BALDWIN. 



By J. T. WiLLAED. 



OHERMAN A. BALDWIN was born in Meriden, Conn., June 29, 



^ 1827. When but three years of age his parents moved to New 

 Britain, Conn. He attended school there until sixteen years of age, 

 when he accepted a position as clerk and bookkeeper for his uncle, J. 

 G. Baldwin, in his store at Middletown. He remained with his uncle 

 four years, when he purchased an interest in a manufacturing con- 

 cern located at Branford, Conn., having charge of the packing and 

 shipping department. To better distribute the goods manufactured 

 by the firm (locks of all descriptions, door-knobs, etc.), a store was 

 opened in New York city, Mr. Baldwin taking charge. After two 

 years there he disposed of a part of his interest and came to Kansas 

 as a member of the "Connecticut colony," organized by Mr. C. B 

 Lines, of New Haven. The colony started in the spring of 1856. 

 The party outfitted at Kansas City, purchasing teams and supplies, 

 and in due time arrived at Wabaunsee, near which place Mr. Bald- 

 win thereafter resided. In the fall he returned to the East and was 

 married to Miss Jane Augusta Barnes, of New Haven. In the spring 

 of 1857 Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin came West, and lived in a tent until 

 the completion of their house. 



Besides filling the office of township treasurer for seven years, Mr. 

 Baldwin was one of the trustees having in charge the building of the 

 •Wamego bridge across the Kansas river, served several years as deputy 

 clerk of the district court, was twice elected register of deeds — 1863 

 and 1865 — was appointed county clerk on the death of Mr. H. M. 

 Selden, in July, 1865, and served two terms as a representative in the 

 state legislature. Faithful service in these several offices of trust se- 

 cured for him an enviable place in the esteem of his constituents. 

 He died March 31, 1908. 



Mr. Baldwin's farm had previously been used as a camping-place 

 by the Indians, and he early became interested in the flint weapons 

 and implements which he from time to time picked up there. This 

 led to making collections of similar objects from other localities. He 

 was also interested in geological and mineralogical specimens. He 

 consulted Prof. B, F. Mudge in respect to these, and was by him in- 

 duced to become a member of the Academy. While not a scientist, he 

 was a man of considerable breadth of reading, and always enjoyed the 

 meetings of the Academy and attended them regularly for many years. 

 He acquired a competence from his farm, but instead of using it to 



