Richard J Baldwin

Richard Jacobs Baldwin was the Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1917 to 1918. He was elected to that position after twenty years of service in the house by the Republican organization of Boies Penrose. He later served a term in the state senate.

He was born March 1, 1853, in East Bradford Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, and learned the trade of carpenter. At age 23 he entered the mercantile trade first at Belvidere, now Whitford, West Whiteland, Chester County, Pennsylvania, and in 1878 moved to Chadds Ford, Delaware County, where he operated a general store. He was appointed postmaster of Chadds Ford during Benjamin Harrison's administration and in 1901 was elected Recorder of Deeds for Delaware County, Pennsylvania. He was a member of the Springhaven Golf Club of Media, the Brandywine Golf Club of Brandywine Summit, Pennsylvania, and an honorary member of the Media Fire Company. He was a member of the Masons, Odd Fellows, Improved Order of Red Men, the American Mechanics, and Patrons of Husbandry.

Progressives criticized Baldwin's selection as speaker, noting his "embittered opposition to legislation on local option, child labor, and workmen's compensation." Baldwin's staunch opposition to progressive reform was such that he was one of only three members of the house to oppose the popular election of senators.