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Head of Pioneer Baldwin Family Dies

Succumbing to an illness that had kept him in bed since just before Thanksgiving, James Stephen Baldwin, who would have been 94 years of age Sunday, died early yesterday morning at a local hospital.

With Mr. Baldwin's death the ranks of the local civil war veterans dwindled to two men who are now living here, George Colby, who fought for the Union, and George Shreve, Confederate veteran. Another Santa Cruz veteran, John Smith, is on an extended tour of the United States.

Mr. Baldwin was born in North Abington, Plymouth Colony Massachusetts on February 12, 1845. When he was 19 years old he enlisted in Company M. Fourth Massachusetts Volunteer Cavalry and fought in the Civil War. His late brother Everett fought in the 12th Massachusetts regiment under Colonel Fletcher Webster who was killed in battle.

James Baldwin served 21 months under General Butler and was with him when he attempted to take Fort Fisher. He later transferred to the Army of the James River under General Ord and was serving this army at the fall of Richmond, Confederate capital.

He well remembered the date of October 7, 1864 when his mount was shot from under him near Richmond while he was carrying dispatches for General Hawley of the federal troops. After the surrender of Richmond his regiment was sent to Gallup Island, Boston, where it was mustered out of the service late in 1865.

He was married to Miss Emma Locke on September 24, 1874, and moved to California in 1883. Located in Santa Cruz the couple lived on Mission Street and what is now Baldwin Street, named after the Baldwin family. In 1893 Mr. Baldwin and his wife went to the world fair in Chicago and on their return went to Riverside California where they resided for about 30 years. Mr. Baldwin owned an orange grove in Riverside.

In 1924 Mrs. Baldwin died and Mr. Baldwin lived here almost continuously since that time. For a time he lived with his brother Fred D. Baldwin and later moved to the home of his sister in law Mrs. Carrie Baldwin at 135 Locust Street where he lived until about two years ago.

On each February 12, Mr. Baldwin would be the guest of honor at a birthday dinner given him by Mr. and Mrs. George Otto of this city. He always looked forward to this date with the Otto family. On Thanksgiving and Christmas days he would join family relatives at the R.R. Baldwin home in Garfield Park for a family reunion.

Active in G.A.R. work, Mr. Baldwin was a frequent visitor of the Wallace Reynolds Women's Relief Corps and was honored late last year when the junior club of the Wallace Reynolds W.R.C. named their club after him, the James S. Baldwin Junior Club No. 9.

Mr. Baldwin is survived by his brother, Fred D. Baldwin, dean of Santa Cruz Bankers, who is 92 years of age. Two nephews Arnold M. County surveyor and Roscoe R. Baldwin of this city, his sister in law, Mrs. Carrie Baldwin, who is widow of the late Amos Baldwin, two nieces, Ruth Baldwin of San Francisco, and Mrs. Ione Davis of Oakland and two grand nephews Robert R. Baldwin of Martinez and Douglas Baldwin of Santa Cruz, and a grand niece, Carolyn Baldwin of Santa Cruz.

Funeral services will be held at Whites chapel Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock with the Women's Relief Corps attending in a body. They will exemplify the last rites of the corps. Private internment will follow in Odd Fellows Crematory.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (February 11, 1939)

James Stephen Baldwin

Final rites for the late James Stephen Baldwin, 93, one of the two remaining G.A.R. members of Santa Cruz, were held yesterday afternoon at the chapel of White's Mortuary. Mr. Baldwin, brother of Fred D. Baldwin, retired Santa Cruz banker, died early Wednesday morning in a local hospital.

Services were conducted by Rev. H.S. Mahood, assisted by members of the Wallace Reynolds Woman's Relief Corps who had their own services.

The casket was covered with an American flag and many floral pieces surrounded the bier. Inurnment was at the I.O.O.F. Crematory.

Date of Birth: 1845-02-12

Date of Death: 1939-08-02

County: Santa Cruz

Cemetery/City of Burial: Santa Cruz Memorial (former I.O.O.F.)

Mortuary: WHT

Cause of Death: Hrt/Carditis

Date of Marriage: 1874/09/24

Spouse: Locke_ Emma

Occupation: Orchardist

Religion: Co

Local Address: High St 66

Last City: Santa Cruz

Native of: MA

Father Native of: Stephen (MA)

Enlisted: 1864/02/08

Discharged: 1865/11/14

Military Unit: MA_ 4 Cav_ Co L

Rank: Sgt

Military Notes: R-Abbngtn_ M/O-Rchmnd VA

GAR#: WR32

Available records used to obtain information:
Cemetery records
Santa Cruz County death records
Military records
Santa Cruz and Monterey newspapers
Voter Records

CW Reference: W&R 1930 Roster