The Biographical Dictionary of America/Baldwin, William H.

BALDWIN, William H., philanthropist, was born at Brighton, Mass., Oct. 20, 1826. After acquiring a business education he obtained employment first in a store in Brighton, and later with a wholesale dry goods house in Boston. In 1850 the firm of Baldwin, Baxter & Curry was organized, with Mr. Baldwin as senior partner. He severed his connection with the firm in 1865, to engage in the dry goods commission business. He was interested in various philanthropic movements, and especially in the welfare of young men. At the organization of the Young Christian Union in Boston in 1868 he was elected its first president, and under his enthusiastic and efficient management the membership of the Union increased to more than five thousand members. Mr. Baldwin became also very active in other philanthropic work, being president of the Children's mission to the destitute; vice-president of the National Unitarian church temperance society, and a director of the Massachusetts society for the prevention of cruelty to animals. In addition to these offices he served as a trustee of the Franklin savings bank, a member of the Boston memorial association, and director of the Unitarian Sunday-school society.