BALDWIN, Theoron, clergyman, born in Goshen, Connecticut, 21 July 1801 ; died in Orange, New Jersey, 10 April 1870. After graduation at Yale in 1827, he studied for two years in the theological school of that College, and was ordained as a home missionary in 1829. He was settled for two years at Vandalia, Illinois, as a Congregational minister, and became prominent in furthering the cause of education. Largely through his efforts the charter of Illinois College was procured. In 1831 he was appointed agent of the home missionary society for Illinois. He organized in 1838, and for five years conducted, the female seminary near Alton, Illinois, at the same time serving as pastor of the Congregational Church. The formation of the "society for the promotion of collegiate and theological education in the west," popularly known as the "western College society," was the result of his labors, and he became its corresponding secretary, performing the duties of the office until shortly before his death. To him, perhaps more than to any other one man, are due the higher educational facilities attainable in every part of the west.