Notes for MARQUIS BALDWIN:

Son of John Tibbals and Unknown Wife Baldwin.
Born: January 22, 1809 in Unknown.
Died: Unknown in Unknown.
Married: Eiza Roe June 30, 1839 in Unknown.

He and Eliza's 1st husband, John were brothers.

MARQUIS BALDWIN. There is probably no citizen of Toledo so well and favorably known among the old residents of this place as the venerable gentleman whose life career is here sketched, and who enjoys the distinction of being the pioneer merchant of the city. For many years he was one of the prominent businessmen of Toledo, in the growth and upbuilding of which he was a prominent factor. Through the exercise of excellent judgment and indefatigable energy, he secured financial success, and after a long and honorable business career he retired from the active duties of life, and now in the twilight of his years rests from his labors and enjoys the fruits of his toil.

Born in Portage County, Ohio, January 22, 1809, the subject of this notice is a son of John T. and Catherine (McCarther) Baldwin. His father was a native of Connecticut, but came to Ohio and settled in Palmyra Township, Portage County, in 1805. His occupation was that of a farmer, and he was thus engaged until 1823, when he came to Toledo and continued afterward to take this place his home until his death, in 1838. At the time of his arrival in Toledo, there were only three families in the place, and the entire count}' was in the primeval state of nature. However, the pioneer fathers and mothers were of a sturdy race, possessing the courage and energy characteristic of the people of that day. They set to work with a will to overcome every obstacle and prepare the way for the great transformation scene that has taken place since that time. Tibbals Baldwin, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Connecticut, and his entire life was spent there. The mother of Marquis was born in Scotland, but when quite young accompanied her parents to America and settled in Connecticut, where she met and married John T. Baldwin.

The first fourteen years of the life of our subject were spent in Portage County, after which he came with his parents to Lucas County. His schooling was meager, as educational advantages were very limited, there being no public-school system then in vogue, and the few subscription schools were of inferior character. His first occupation was that of a hunter and fisherman on the Miami River. The fish were caught in nets and were salted in barrels, then taken by boat to Portsmouth on the Ohio Canal, where they were exchanged for iron, flour, whisky and other products. After the trade had been completed, the flour was brought to Miami and sold to the people of that place. In 1845 he bought a tract of land and cleared a farm about seven miles from the city, making that his home for about sixteen years.

As early as 1825 Mr. Baldwin made his Cist venture in the mercantile business. During that year he formed a partnership with his brother, under the firm name of J. Baldwin & Co., and embarked in general merchandising at Toledo. They handled the first merchandise ever sold here, and for some time they were the only merchants in the town. By their courteous manners and fair dealings, they soon built up an extensive trade, and not only prospered financially, but also became popular and influential citizens of the place. For almost thirty years they continued to engage in the general mercantile business, after which they disposed of the stock. About 1861 they embarked in a new enterprise, and continued to carry on a large and profitable business until after the close of the Civil War. Since disposing of his business interests Mr. Baldwin has lived retired from active cares, although he still maintains a general supervision of his business affairs. In the growth and improvement of the city he has always taken an active interest, and was in the early days an important factor in its prosperity.

The marriage of Mr. Baldwin occurred in June, 1829, at which time he was united with Mrs. Eliza R. Baldwin, nee. Roe. Mrs. Baldwin, who was the widow of John Baldwin, was a cousin of the celebrated author, K. P. Roe. She was born in New York, and died in Toledo in 1889. Always a temperate man in his habits, Mr. Baldwin is a strong advocate of the temperance cause, and supports all those measures which he believes will enhance the moral condition of the people. Politically he is a stanch Republican and an ardent supporter of the principles of that party. At the advanced age of nearly eighty-seven years, he is hale and hearty, and makes his home at No. 521 West Bancroft Street.
Source: Portrait and biographical record of city of Toledo and Lucas and Wood counties, Ohio by chapman Publishing Company, 1895 (http://home.us.archive.org/stream/portraitbiograph00cha/portraitbiograph00cha_djvu.txt)