My Genealogy Hound

ADDISON BALDRIDGE. Should the inquisitive stranger ask in the little village of MacDougall for its most prominent citizen, very many would mention the gentleman whose name opens this sketch. He is at present the proprietor of the elevator, feedmill and implement store in the place, and is also conducting a thriving trade as a dealer in coal, hay, etc. He is a native of Seneca County, and was born in the town of Romulus, September 6, 1854.

The parents of our subject were Alexander and Susan A. (Wilkinson) Baldridge, the former of whom was born on the same estate on which our subject first saw the light; the mother was a native of Yates County. When a young man Alexander went on a visit to friends in Seneca County, Ohio, where he met and married Miss Wilkinson, whose parents had lately removed to that state. Although they began in life with very limited means, the father later accumulated a goodly property and became a very prominent resident of his county.

The father of our subject was twice married, Addison being the only child of the first union. After the death of his first wife Alexander married Mrs. Elizabeth Holton, and to them was born a son, Charles J., who lives on the old homestead and is well-to-do in this world’s goods.

The boyhood days of our subject were spent on the homestead, where he attended the district school regularly. When nineteen years of age he became a student at Cook Academy, in Schuyler County, taking a course of two years. While there, December 27, 1876, he was married to Miss Mary J. Sackett, a native of the town of Romulus, Seneca County. Of their union were born three children, namely: Lillian H., Claude and Daisy J., all at home. The wife and mother departed this life May 14, 1891, greatly mourned. December 3, 1893, Mr. Baldridge chose for his second wife Miss C. Gertrude Rappleye, of the village of Farmer, this county. There her birth occurred August 3, 1872, her parents being Hudson and Samantha (Covert) Rappleye, substantial residents of that section.

The father of our subject died when Addison was twenty years of age, and through inheritance he received seventy-three acres of fine farming land in the town of Romulus. This he operated for the following four years, and in the fall of 1881 located in the village of MacDougall, where he began in the agricultural-implement business. To this he afterward added coal, and as there was a good opening for the shipment of hay from this community he began dealing in this commodity, and in 1886 erected his feedmill and elevator. He has ever been identified with the best interests of the county and ranks as a noticeable illustration of that indomitable push and energy which characterize men of will and determination.

Mr. Baldridge is a strong Prohibitionist in politics and was the candidate of that party for the General Assembly on two occasions. Although he did not expect to be elected, he polled a strong vote. He is highly respected, and his advice and aid in all enterprises regarding the advancement of his community are very much appreciated.