Sheriff Lancaster Baldwin
Sheriff Baldwin was born on September 20, 1842, and died on October 11, 1911
​Sheriff Baldwin served as Sheriff from 1872 to 1876
Sheriff Baldwin served in the civil war and rose to the rank of Sergeant. Sheriff Baldwin was an attorney and a native of Grant County being born here on September 20, 1842. I have several biographies of Sheriff Baldwin which are on the following pages along with his obituary.
Served in the civil war
Baldwin, Lancaster D., of Fairmount Township; Corpl. prom. to Serg, Co C, 89th Reg.;
MO 7-19-65
Lancaster D. Baldwin, attorney at law and eldest son of Lindsey and Mary (Harvey) Baldwin, was born in Liberty Township, Grant County, September 20, 1842. His father was a native of Wayne County, Indiana, but came to Grant County in 1830, and was one of the first settlers of Fairmount Township. He was a farmer by occupation and died July 1866. Mrs. Baldwin was born in North Carolina, is of Irish lineage, and still living. The subject was raised to agricultural pursuits, obtained a good English education in the common schools, and remained with his parents until his eighteenth year. In July 1862 he entered the army, enlisting in Company C, Eighty-ninth Indiana Volunteers, and served with the same until mustered out of service July 1865. At the close of the war he returned to Grant County and engaged in teaching, which profession he continued about three years. AT the end of that time he engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods with E. W. and C. L. Pemberton at Jonesboro, and remained in that business until burned out in 1869. In 1870 he was appointed Deputy Sheriff under John F. Jones, serving in that capacity until November 1872, at which time he was elected Sheriff. He served as Sheriff until 1876, and discharged the duties of that office in a manner satisfactory to all concerned. He began the study of law in 1870, continuing the same while holding office, and in 1877 was admitted to the Bar of Grant County. He at once began the practice of his profession, which he has since continued with gratifying success. In 1877 he practiced in partnership with his brother, J. H. Baldwin, and in 1881 engaged with his present partner, John A. Kersey. Mr. Baldwin was married, November 4, 1868, to Miss Margaret Anderson, daughter of Isaac Anderson, of Grant County. Three children have been born to this marriage, namely: Homer I., Virgil L. and Estella Baldwin. Mr. Baldwin is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics a Republican.
Sources 15-18
Daily Leader 10-25-1911
LANK. BALDWIN DIES SUDDENLY OF ATTACK OF HEART DISEASE
__________________________________
Seated in a chair in the office of the Farmers’ Land Company at Fourth and Boots streets at 9:30 o’clock Wednesday morning, Lancaster D. Baldwin, familiarly known as “Lank” Baldwin, former Grant county sheriff, politician, and lawyer, died suddenly from heart failure and a complication of diseases from which he had been suffering for several months. While in feeble health, Baldwin had been around his usual haunts and his sudden death came as a great surprise.
The deceased was alone at the time of his demise and although medical attention was summoned a few moments later, all efforts to revive him proved unavailing. Baldwin was an uncle of Vestal Reynolds, manager of the Farmers’ Land company and he came into the office Wednesday morning about 9 o’clock to read the morning paper. At 9:115 o’clock, Reynolds stepped out of the office on an errand and before leaving he told Baldwin that if any one called for him, to tell all inquirers that he would return in a short time.
Fifteen minutes later Reynolds came back to the office and found Baldwin seated in a big chair, his head supported by his chest, and the newspaper lying on the floor. He rushed to him and felt for his pulse but found it could not be detected. He starting rubbing his hands and then hailed Architect Burt L. French who was passing. French assisted in the attempt to revive Baldwin and a few moments later Dr. M. L. Bridges was summoned. When he reached the office, however, all signs of life had departed. The still form was removed from the chair where death occurred, and placed on a couch in the rear of the office. Several of the relatives were notified and it was found that Dr. Mahlon F. Baldwin, brother to the deceased, was making a professional call.
Ellery Sharp a local chauffeur, volunteered to find the doctor, and accompanied by Police Chief Phillips, he made an automobile trip to North Marion. The auto overtook the rig in which the physician was riding and he was apprised of his brother’s death, and brought to the office of the land company.
Dr. Baldwin while shock by the sudden death, expressed but little surprise as he realized the condition of his brother and informed several of his relatives that death might be expected any moment. Baldwin had been gradually declining in health for several months but his condition did not cause him alarm until two or three weeks ago. He suffered from dropsical condition, which affected his hear and persisted in walking about as usual despite the protests of his friends and relatives.
On Saturday last, Baldwin removed his furniture and personal effects from the room he occupied in the second floor of the Kiley building on Washington street, to the room in the rear of the Farmer’s Land company’s establishment in the Harvey and Johnson building at Fourth and Boots street. He boarded across the street Wednesday morning Baldwin was found sitting on a bench in front of the Royal theater. He told several of his friends that he had not slept during the night and that he was feeling quite ill. His friends advised him to return to his room and lie down. Baldwin could not give up his former active life and he walked about until the last. For several days he had been telling his friends that he was in bad health and his ankles, which were greatly enlarged from dropsy, were frequently shown as proof of his ailment.
FAMILIAR FIGURE
Lancaster Baldwin had been a familiar figure in the life of Grant county for more half a century and he was known to all the older citizens and many of the younger generation. He had served his county in many capacities and his country also gained his services during the great civil war. Baldwin was born on a farm in Liberty township, Sept. 20, 1842, and was past 69 years of age. He was among the first of Grant county sheriffs, serving from 1872 until 1876. Baldwin has been known as one of the most efficient sheriffs in the history of the county and his record as a horse thief catcher is second to none. During his four years serves Baldwin sent terror to the hearts of horse thieves and he trailed many of them into adjoining states in order that they might be brought to justice. As a soldier, Baldwin was in the foremost rank. He saw hard and active service in the 89th Indiana volunteer infantry from 1862 until 1865, and he participated in some of the hardest engagements of the war. He was possessed of a wonderful memory and frequently recalled in later years stirring vents of the war. Baldwin was also doorkeeper in the house of representatives during the term of Senator John Worth Kern in 1877. He was quite prominent in politics during the later years of his life.
Baldwin has three brothers, Dr. M. F. Baldwin and William Baldwin of this city, Judge John Baldwin of Detroit, Minn., a sister Mrs. Lewis Reynolds living near Jonesboro, a daughter Mrs. Estella Haskell of Chicago, and one son, Virgil Baldwin formerly of Indianapolis, but now of New York. Following death the body was removed to the Buchan undertaking establishment where it was prepared for burial. Arrangements for the funeral have not been completed.
The body of L.D. Baldwin may be viewed by friends at the Buchanan undertaking establishment between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Thursday. Arrangements for the funeral have not been completed.
