inventor manufacturer philanthropist
Matthias William Baldwin was born on November 10, 1795 in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. He was the youngest of five children born to a prosperous carriage builder named William Baldwin. The father died when the boy was four years old, the large property which he had accumulated was imprudently lost by his executors, and the family was left to enjoy the doubtful blessings of honorable poverty.
Through his mother's efforts, Matthias received a fair schooling, and was then apprenticed to Woolworth Brothers, manufacturing jewelers of Philadelphia, where he eventually became the best workman in their shop.
At twenty-four, he set up for himself, but six years later abandoned the jewelry business, deciding that he "could not spend his life making gew-gaws" - especially since the national depression of 1825 made it no longer even financially profitable. He now entered into partnership with one David Mason in a constantly expanding manufacturing business, first producing engravers' and book-makers' tools, next adding hydraulic presses, then copper rolls for printing calico from a steel matrix and forms for new continuous calico color printing; finally in 1827 he constructed a six-horse-power noiseless stationary engine, and the firm began to build engines for sale. At this time, however, Mason became alarmed at these unceasing innovations and withdrew from the business, leaving his more enterprising partner to continue his increasingly successful career alone.
On April 25, 1831, Baldwin exhibited in Peale's Museum a dummy locomotive and two cars, improved from an imported English model and running upon a circular track built for the purpose. He then constructed for the Philadelphia & Germantown Railroad one of the first American locomotives to be actually employed in transportation; he made tools especially designed for the work, and brought his task to completion within six months. The resulting engine, christened "Old Ironsides, " was partially of iron and partially of wood, weighed six tons, moved twenty-eight miles an hour, and drew thirty tons. It ran between Philadelphia and Germantown in fair weather - "On rainy days horses will be attached".
During the next ten years, Baldwin constructed many stationary engines and ten more locomotives, introducing continual improvements; after that time he devoted all his energy to locomotives alone. The business prospered, he moved his headquarters from Minor St. to Broad and Hamilton Sts. , and successfully weathered several panics, notably that of 1837-40. In 1854 Matthew Baird bought an interest in the Baldwin works and became a partner, continuing so until Baldwin's death. A temporary boycott in the South shortly before the war, due to Baldwin's activities on behalf of the colored people, was compensated by the number of engines sold to the Government after hostilities began. Over 1, 500 locomotives had been built by his company when Baldwin died in 1866. With remarkable persistence, although suffering great pain, he attended to his business until within a few days of his death. Baldwin's interests, however, were by no means confined exclusively to business. As early as 1824 he had aided in the foundation of uring the next ten years, Baldwin constructed many stationary engines and ten more locomotives, introducing continual improvements; after that time he devoted all his energy to locomotives alone. The business prospered, he moved his headquarters from Minor St. to Broad and Hamilton Sts. , and successfully weathered several panics, notably that of 1837-40.
In 1854 Matthew Baird bought an interest in the Baldwin works and became a partner, continuing so until Baldwin's death. A temporary boycott in the South shortly before the war, due to Baldwin's activities on behalf of the colored people, was compensated by the number of engines sold to the Government after hostilities began. Over 1, 500 locomotives had been built by his company when Baldwin died in 1866. With remarkable persistence, although suffering great pain, he attended to his business until within a few days of his death. Baldwin's interests, however, were by no means confined exclusively to business. As early as 1824 he had aided in the foundation of Franklin Institute for the betterment of labor.
About 1826 Matthias William Baldwin underwent religious conversion, became a Sunday-school superintendent, and for the next thirty-five years conducted a Bible class.
Matthias William Baldwin was a member of the American Philosophical Society.
In 1827 Matthias William Baldwin married Sarah C. Baldwin (remotely related), by whom he had one son and two daughters.
