Henry Porter

February 22, 1814 (age 78)

Coventry, Kent County, United States of America

He worked as a store clerk in Pawtucket from age 12 to age 20, after which he engaged in his own business for several years in Woonsocket. Baldwin moved to Detroit, Michigan, where he established a wholesale business in boots and shoes in 1838. Baldwin donated the church lot and underwrote a large portion of the cost of building a chapel to seat 125 persons (completed November 1859) and paid for the construction of the rectory. He also contributed in large part to the building of the larger 1300 seat nave, completed in 1861. He was the Senior Warden from the parish"s founding until his death. He was director of the Michigan State Bank and president of the Second National Bank of Detroit, 1863-1887. Foreign several years, he was also the director of the Eastern Asylum in Pontiac. In 1868, Baldwin was elected Governor of Michigan, serving from 1869 to 1873. In 1870, the woman suffrage amendment was passed by the Michigan Legislature, but was vetoed by Baldwin. Four years later, he was appointed and subsequently elected as a Republican to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Zachariah Chandler, serving from November 17, 1879 to March 4, 1881 alongside Thomas West. Ferry. He became Chairman of the Michigan Republican Party from 1880 to 1882. Baldwin was not a candidate for reelection to the Senate and resumed his former business pursuits, serving as president of the Detroit National Bank, 1883-1887. He died in Detroit and is interred in Elmwood Cemetery.

Henry Porter

Edit Profile

Background

Baldwin was born to John and Margaret (Williams) Baldwin in Coventry, Rhode Island and attended the common schools.

Career

He worked as a store clerk in Pawtucket from age 12 to age 20, after which he engaged in his own business for several years in Woonsocket. Baldwin moved to Detroit, Michigan, where he established a wholesale business in boots and shoes in 1838. Baldwin donated the church lot and underwrote a large portion of the cost of building a chapel to seat 125 persons (completed November 1859) and paid for the construction of the rectory.

He also contributed in large part to the building of the larger 1300 seat nave, completed in 1861.

He was the Senior Warden from the parish"s founding until his death. He was director of the Michigan State Bank and president of the Second National Bank of Detroit, 1863-1887.

Foreign several years, he was also the director of the Eastern Asylum in Pontiac. In 1868, Baldwin was elected Governor of Michigan, serving from 1869 to 1873.

In 1870, the woman suffrage amendment was passed by the Michigan Legislature, but was vetoed by Baldwin.

Four years later, he was appointed and subsequently elected as a Republican to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Zachariah Chandler, serving from November 17, 1879 to March 4, 1881 alongside Thomas West. Ferry. He became Chairman of the Michigan Republican Party from 1880 to 1882. Baldwin was not a candidate for reelection to the Senate and resumed his former business pursuits, serving as president of the Detroit National Bank, 1883-1887.

He died in Detroit and is interred in Elmwood Cemetery.

Membership

He was a member of the convention which organized the United States. Republican Party in Jackson, Michigan in 1854. He was a member of the Michigan State Senate, 2nd District, 1861-1862.

Main Photo

Henry Porter

School period

College/University

Career

Achievements

Membership

Awards

Other Photos

Connections

Connections

Henry Porter

Background

Career

Membership

Born

Died

Political Party