Lucky Baldwin
| Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin | |
|---|---|
Lucky Baldwin in 1905
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| Born |
April 3, 1828 Butler County, Ohio, United States |
| Died | March 1, 1909 (aged 80) Arcadia, California |
| Residence | Santa Anita Ranch, Arcadia, California |
| Occupation | Businessman, Investor, Racehorse owner/breeder |
| Board member of | , Baldwin Hotel, Santa Anita Park, Baldwin Theater, Tallac Hotel & Casino |
| Spouse(s) | Sarah Ann Unruh Mary Cochrane Jennie Dexter Lillie Bennett |
| Children |
with Sarah Ann Unruh: Anita (1876-1939) |
| Parent(s) | William Alexander Crooks Baldwin Elizabeth Nancy Miller |
| Honors |
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with Sarah Ann Unruh:
Clara (b. 1847)
Elizabeth (1854-1855)
Elias Jackson Jr. (1857-1857)
Elias Jackson "Lucky" Baldwin (April 3, 1828 – March 1, 1909) was "one of the greatest pioneers" of California business, an investor, and real estate speculator during the second half of the 19th century. He earned the nickname "Lucky" Baldwin due to his extraordinary good fortune in a number of business deals. He built the luxury Baldwin Hotel and Theatre in San Francisco and bought vast tracts of land in Southern California, where a number of places are named after him.
Baldwin was born in Hamilton, Ohio in 1828, the fourth of 14 children. The family moved to a farm in Indiana in 1834, when he was 8. Throughout his childhood he was known as a wanderer and adventurer. Baldwin received little formal education but was known as a strong-willed, independent individual. At age 18, he eloped with a neighbor girl named Sarah Ann Unruh and returned home to farm and train horses. He and his wife looked for more prosperous way to make a living and they moved to Valparaiso, Indiana, where they opened a saloon and grocery store. They soon added grain trading and a venture with canal boats to their businesses. Their first daughter, Clara, was born in Valparaiso.
In 1853, at the height of the California Gold Rush, he decided to relocate to California. An already successful businessman, he decided his future wealth lay in providing food, supplies and accommodations, and not digging for gold. He sold the businesses in Valparaiso and used the profits to purchase wagons and supplies for a trip west.
Before he left Racine, Wisconsin with his wife and six-year-old daughter, he equipped four wagons and loaded two of them with tobacco, brandy, and tea. He hired men to drive the other wagons. They joined a large wagon train in Council Bluffs, Iowa. During the five-month trek west, Baldwin scouted ahead and got lost, and was only saved from starvation by friendly Native Americans who brought him back to the wagon train.
Outside Salt Lake City, his caravan was attacked by less friendly Native Americans and Baldwin barely escaped with his life. In Salt Lake City, home to the Mormons, he sold the bulk of his brandy to the brother of Brigham Young at $16.00 a gallon. He also sold the tobacco and tea and used the profits to buy horses. The family arrived in Hangtown (later known as Placerville) barefoot and worn out. Baldwin sold the horses upon arriving in Sacramento at a 400% profit.
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Wikipedia