Baldwin, Melvin R
was born April 12, 1838, in Windsor county, Vt. He removed to Wisconsin in 1847; entered Lawrence university of Appleton in 1855; studied law, and then adopted civil engineering as profession. He was engaged on Chicago and Northwestern railway tiıl April 19, 1861, when he enlisted as a private in company E, second Wisconsin infantry, brigaded with the Iron brigade. He was slightly wounded at the first and severely wounded at the second battle of Bull Run; and promoted to captain of his company. He was captured at Gettysburg and confined in Libby, Charleston, and Columbia. He made two escapes, but was recaptured, and was finally exchanged after seventeen months' imprisonment. He removed to Minnesota in 1875, and has resided in Duluth since 1885; and president of Duluth chamber of commerce since 1886. He twice declined congressional nomination; and was elected to the fifty-third congress as a democrat. At close of congressional term he was appointed by President Cleveland chairman of the Chippewa Indian commission, holding this position until 1897.