JAMES C. BALDRIDGE who is now living in section 5, Grand Prairie Township, is one of the honored pioneers of Jefferson County, in fact is one of its oldest settlers, having for more than seventy years made his home in this county. He was born in Rutherford County, N. C., December 10, 1811, and is the eldest of twelve children. His father, Dornton Baldridge, was also a native of Rutherford County, and with his family migrated to Illinois in the fall of 1820. The journey was made with wagons across the country, and during the trip the family subsisted largely on wild game, which was shot along the road. The father first located at Walnut Hill, but after three years removed to Seven Mile Prairie, in Marion County, where he had purchased a farm of Rufus Rickards. There he spent four years, after which he sold that property and bought eighty acres of land on section 4. Grand Prairie Township, upon which he spent his remaining days.

The children of the family were James C., John P., Sallie, Peggy, William, Alexander, Jane, Dornton, Thomas, Samuel, Mary and Joseph, all of whom married and located in Jefferson County. Five of the number are yet living.

Our subject was a lad of nine years when his parents came to Illinois, and amid the wild scenes of the frontier he was reared to manhood. On attaining his majority he married Miss Margaret Rainey, July 26, 1832, and by their union were born six children. Spruce A., John and Samuel are now deceased; Sarah Ann is the widow of Owen Breeze; James is married and is engaged in business in Chicago; and Jane is the wife of Z. C. Jennings, a successful farmer living near Centralia, Hi. The mother of this family passed away October 3, 1845, and on the 8th of January, 1846, Mr. Baldridge wedded Mrs. Tabitha Casey, widow of Isaac Casey. They had four children, of whom two are yet living, Joseph D. and George P. Both are married and are now prosperous farmers and representative citizens of Grand Prairie Township, George P. being Township Supervisor.

In 1832, Mr. Baldridge located upon a farm on section 4, Grand Prairie Township, purchasing a large tract of land, which he at once began to improve and cultivate. He was at one time the most extensive dealer in horses, cattle and mules in the county, and carried on business along that line for many years, acquiring thereby a handsome property.

In 1886, he exchanged the old homestead with his youngest son for a smaller farm, as he desired to retire from the stock business.

Mr. Baldridge is a member of the Presbyterian Church. For several years he served as School Director. He came to this county during the days of its infancy and has practically witnessed its entire growth and upbuilding. Frequently in olden times he rode on horseback to the mill at Mt. Vernon. He is one of the honored pioneers to whom the present prosperity of the county is due, for he has ever borne his part in its development and progress. A valued citizen of the community, he well deserves representation in this volume and with pleasure we present to our readers this record of his life.

Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois" Chapman Publishing Co, Chicago, 1894
Page 529-530
Submitted by Sandy Bauer