WILLIAM W BALDWIN CROWFOOT DAVIDSON LABERDIE POWERS SHOPEN SMITH William W. BALDWIN is one of the younger members of the legal profession in Elgin, but his ability is by no means limited by his years, and he has now gained a clientage and reputation that many an older attorney might well envy. A native of Cooperstown, NY, born Apr. 9, 1870, he is a son of Philander and Esther LABERDIE BALDWIN, the former of German ancestry and the latter of French ancestry. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a man of considerable prominence in Cooperstown, where he spent his entire life, and by speculation he became quite wealthy, but lost most of his money before his death. His son, Philander BALDWIN, was a mason, contrator and builder for many years, but now follows farming near Ottawa Lake, Michigan, where he and his wife now make their home. They are the parents of six children, all living: William W.; Mrs Minnie DAVIDSON, who resides in Wisc.; Albert, in the Tri-State college, Toledo, Ohio; Philander, a resident of Toledo; Westley and John, still with their parents. The father of this family is a Jeffersonian Democrat in his political belief,and his wife is a Catholic in religious faith. William W. BALDWIN obtained his education in the common schools and recieved few advantages in his youth to fit him for the practical and responsible duties of life. He was ambitious, however, and made the most of his opportunitires. In 1887 he came to Elgin, where he continued his education by pursuing a commercial course, after which he took up the study of law. By correspondence he pursued a two years law course under the direction of the Sprague University, and then entered the law office of Frank E. Shopen, who instructed him in the principles of jurisprudence for 2 years, after which he was admitted to the bar in Ottawa, Illinois, in Dec. 1896. Mr. BALDWIN at once returned to Elgin, opened an office and has since engaged in practice, meeting with gratifying success in his chosen calling. On the 15th of Sept. 1897, he formed a partnership with J.R. Powers, Jr., and the firm has attained considerable prominence in legal circles in Kane Co. Mr. BALDWIN was appointed notary public in 1895. In his business he has made a specialty of pension-law practice, also patent-law, and in the latter division of jurisprudence he has handled a number of very important cases with success. These frequently called him to Washington; and he has won some notable victories in forensic encouters with men of high worth in the legal professio, a fact which plainly indicates his own ability. He is a member of the Chicago Law Students Association. In his political relations Mr. BALDWIN is a Republican and seved as delegate to the Illinois Lincoln Republican League at Springfield in 1894. Socially he is connected with the Knights of the Globe and the Sons of Veterans. He is also a valued member of the First Baptist church and a man of benevolent, kindly nature. Mr. BALDWIN was married September 15, 1897, in Elgin, to Miss May L. SMITH, a daughter of Curtis A. and Mary CROWFOOT SMITH. Her father is a representative of one of the old families of Elgin, and is now connected with the Elgin Watch Factory in the responsible position of foreman of one of the departments. Mr. and Mrs. BALDWIN have a wide acquaitance and high standing in the social circles of Elgin and share in the warm regard of many friends. The Biographical Record of Kane Co., Illinois S.J. Clarke Publishing Co. July, 1898 pg. 13 Transcribed by Cynthia Nelson who has no further information on the above parties. Use your "BACK" button on your browser to return to Kane County ILGenWeb pages.