Dr. Baldwin was born in Chicago, Jan. 2, 1863, the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Baldwin. His father was one of the first 18 graduates of Lawrence college in Appleton. Dr. Baldwin spent his youth in Chicago and at the age of 20 married Isabel Emerson in Chicago. She died six years ago.
Dr. Baldwin came to Gillett 56 years ago and for over 50 years served the families of this community.
Originally a draftsman for Western Electric in Chicago, he felt the urge to study medicine. Although married at the time, he worked to complete college requirements, and entered Bennett College, now Loyola University, graduating in 1885 at the head of the class. He was one of the six granted an internship at Cook County hospital. In those days internship was not a requirement as now, and this scholarship was a high honor.
His first practice was in Chicago, then to Merrytown, Wis. When he found it difficult to transport his children to high school from Merrytown, he looked for another location and that brought him to Gillett.
At one time his practice took him as far as Laona, a distance of 60 miles, which he made by train. In those early days horse and buggy were his usual means of transportation. He would travel far in all kids of weather, day or night, often on calls he knew he would never be paid for.
More than one life was saved by emergency action that took courage and ingenuity. He told of one call to care for an accident victim in which an artery had been severed. He took his eldest son, Bill, along to help. The home was lighted with lamps, which were kept well back to avoid the chance of explosion from ether fumes. In semi-darkness, Dr. Baldwin did what had to be done. The scene however was to much for onlookers, including Bill. All passed out except the dr. and the patients mother.
Dr. Baldwin gave up the slow mode of travel for a slightly faster method when he obtained a car in 1907.
During his career he brought over 5,000 babies into the world. He out lived the first baby he delivered in Gillett.
He few years ago he was honored by the State Medical Society for his fifty years of service.
Dr. Baldwin did not limit his local activities to his profession. In 1911, he established a movie theater, which is now operated by his son Charles.
He was a member of the Methodist church, Masonic Lodge, Civic Club, and the Gillett Advancement Assn.
In the last few years the doctor’s thoughts were always with the people whom he had served. It was his wish that people that might like to express their gratitude could establish a fund that could be used for the benefit of the people he loved and served. In accordance with the doctor’s wishes, a committee has been set up to handle memorial funds. The members are Emery Ansorge, A. E. Hanstedt and Frank Kuehl.