Contra Costa County CA Archives Biographies.....Baldwin, Robert O. 1828 - 
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Author: W. A. & Slocum & Co. (1882)

ROBERT O. BALDWIN.—The subject of this sketch, whose portrait it affords us much
pleasure to produce in this history, is one of the earliest as well as one of
the most prominent settlers of the beautiful San Ramon valley. He is a native of
Eastern Ohio, and was born March 30, 1828. When but a child his parents moved to
Summit county, same State, where our subject received a common school education,
and resided on his father's farm until 1850. When in his twenty-second year he
left his home to seek his fortune in the Golden West. On March 18th of that
year, he, with a brother (now deceased), and six companions, started with
mule-teams to cross the plains and mountains to the "land of
promise"—California. When they arrived at North Platte they found that their
progress was not as fast as they wished, and that their teams were failing and
their provisions running short. They concluded that they had better abandon
their wagons, and pack in order to hasten through. Halting for one day, they
hastily constructed some pack-saddles with the harness and such things as they
had on hand. Provided with two mules each, they resumed their journey, going by
the way of Salt Lake, expecting there to obtain what provisions they were in
need of. Much to their disappointment on arriving at Salt Lake they found that
they could not buy any groceries nor flour, (harvest not having set in,) but
they were fortunate enough to exchange some tea and sugar for a little
corn-meal. With what they had they resumed their wearisome journey, and in order
that their provisions might last until they could obtain more, each and every
man was rationed —receiving a small portion every day. Yet they were all very
cheerful and looked forward for better times. This way of living continued about
three weeks, at the end of which time their appetites were pretty well
sharpened. They arrived at the Sink of the Humboldt river, all well. Before
crossing the much dreaded desert of forty miles, they sat down and ate the last
of their provisions, and filling their canteens with water, started about four
o'clock in the afternoon. There was no fear of mistaking the road, for it was
lined with abandoned wagons, and dead animals were strewn about. They traveled
all night, and arrived at Carson river about eight o'clock in the morning. There
they met the first team with provisions from California, and not having had any
food since they started across the desert, they were compelled to purchase some,
notwithstanding that everything was sold at two dollars per pound. They did not
buy more than for their immediate use, for as they came nearer to their
journey's end, provisions got cheaper. Having crossed the mountains, they
arrived at Hangtown, (now Placerville,) July 28, 1850. Here Mr. Baldwin embarked
in mining for the Winter, and in the following Spring he removed to the North
Fork of the Feather river, and there prosecuted mining until the Fall of 1852,
when he came to Contra Costa county to visit some friends who were living in San
Ramon valley. Impressed with the beauties of the valley and the surrounding
country, Mr. Baldwin concluded to make it his future home, and in partnership
with Wm. Meese (at present his next neighbor, and one of his companions across
the plains), purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land, and engaged in
agricultural pursuits, which they followed until the year 1855, when they
divided their ranch, each taking one hundred and sixty acres, our subject
choosing the place where he now resides. He has since added to his estate, until
he possesses one of the finest farms in the county, consisting of nine hundred
acres, one and a half miles southeast of Danville, and on which well appointed
farm he resides. Mr. Baldwin is now prepared to enjoy the comforts attending a
well-spent and useful life, surrounded by his interesting family, and having the
confidence and esteem of the citizens of the county in which he lives. He was
united in marriage in San Ramon valley, March 25, 1858, to Miss Mary Cox, a
native of Indiana, by whom he has six children. Their names are May M., now Mrs.
Dr. W. E. Hook, born May 1, 1859; Elmer H., born September 6, 1861; Robert O.,
Jr., born April 20, 1865; Jennie C., born December 30, 1866; Perry A., born
August 14, 1869; and John F., born December 20, 1873. Mrs. R. O. Baldwin was
born January 9, 1838.

Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

HISTORY OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY,
CALIFORNIA,
INCLUDING ITS GEOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY, TOPOGRAPHY, CLIMATOGRAPHY AND DESCRIPTION;
TOGETHER WITH A RECORD OF THE MEXICAN GRANTS; THE BEAR FLAG WAR; THE MOUNT
DIABLO COAL FIELDS; THE EARLY HISTORY AND SETTLEMENT, COMPILED FROM THE MOST
AUTHENTIC SOURCES; THE NAMES OF ORIGINAL SPANISH AND MEXICAN PIONEERS; FULL
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF THE COUNTY; SEPARATE HISTORY OF EACH TOWNSHIP, SHOWING
THE ADVANCE IN POPULATION AND AGRICULTURE;
ALSO,
Incidents of Pioneer Life; and Biographical Sketches
OF EARLY AND PROMINENT SETTLERS AND REPRESENTATIVE MEN;
AMD OF ITS TOWNS, VILLAGES, CHURCHES, SECRET SOCIETIES, ETC.
ILLUSTRATED.
SAN FRANCISCO: W. A. SLOCUM & CO., PUBLISHERS
1882.


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