Frederick Wilton Baldwin was born in Lowell, Vermont on September 29, 1848.

[1] Frederick Baldwin was educated at Johnson Academy and Montpelier Seminary, studied law with Philip K. Gleed and H. Henry Powers while teaching school, and was admitted to the bar in 1872.

Baldwin also served as a Village Trustee for 12 years, and was Orleans County State's Attorney from 1880 to 1882.

[4] Baldwin was a member of the Orleans County Republican Committee 1884 to 1892, and was chairman from 1888 to 1890.

[5][6] In 1896 Baldwin served as Barton's member of the Vermont House of Representatives.