|
OTHER BIOGRAPHICAL INDEXES:
Source:
THE PAST AND PRESENT
of
VERMILION COUNTY, ILLINOIS
- ILLUSTRATED -
Published: Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
1903
| |
JOSEPH BAILEY.
The ancestral history of Joseph Bailey is
one which traces back to a very early epoch in
the annals of this country. Among the
first families to establish homes in Essex
county, Massachusetts, were the Baileys,
and for many years representatives of the name
have been resided, being connected with
agricultural pursuits. Lieutenant
Thomas Bailey, the great-great-grandfather
of our subject, received a commission from
King George the Second, of England, in 1732,
and this commission, now framed, hangs on a wall
in the home of our subject. Many other
cherished heirlooms handed down through
generations are also possessed by Mr. Bailey,
a number of these being more than two hundred
years old.
Jeremiah Bailey, the great-grandfather of our subject,
was a native of Massachusetts, and his son,
Benjamin Bailey,
was born in Essex County, that state and became the
grandfather of our subject. Captain
John Bailey, the father of our subject, was
born in Essex county and throughout his entire
life carried on farming there. The old
family homestead upon which he lived came into
possession of his son Joseph but has sine
been sold. The father was a captain in the
militia and expected to go to the war in 1812
but was however called out to active service.
He died upon the old homestead after which his
widow came to Georgetown, Illinois, with our
subject and there spent her last days. She
bore the maiden name of Abigail Cross and
was also a nataive of Essex County. In the
family there were nine children:
Daniel, John, Mehitabel, William, Joseph,
Abigail, Charles Wesley, Lois Ann and
Emily. The three now living are
Joseph, of this review;
Abigail, who resides in Salem, New
Hampshire; and Emily,
the widow of John B. Alexander, who was a
prominent resident of Danville. She now
resides in Salem, Oregon. The children all
enjoyed educational privileges in the schools of
Massachusetts. Joseph Bailey, whose
name introduces this sketch, was born in Essex
county, August 16, 1820, and throughout the
period of his youth remained upon the home farm
assisting in the labor of field and meadow.
When he left the east about 1845 he made his way
direct to Vermilion county, Illinois, settling
in Georgetown, where his brother was serving as
postmaster, and here began his business career
as a clerk in a small store, receiving six
dollars per month in compensation for his
services. He followed clerking for three
years or until his marriage, which occurred May
4, 1852, the lady of his choice being Miss
Sarah Ann Brackhall, who was born in
Georgetown, December 4, 1833, a daughter of
Martin and Elizabeth (Smith) Brachall.
Her father was a native of Pennsylvania, became
one of the first settlers of Vermilion county
and at the time of the Black Hawk war joined the
troops that were engaged in suppressing the
Indian uprising. By trade he was a tailor
and followed that pursuit in Georgetown from the
time of his arrival in the west until his life's
labors were ended in death. He died at
Danville.
After his marriage, Mr. Bailey entered into
partnership with a brother and embarked in
general merchandising in Georgetown under the
firm name of W. B. and J. Bailey.
He continued in that enterprise for several
years and then went to Indianola, this county,
entering into partnership with Mr. Sconce,
under the firm name of Bailey & Sconce,
dealers in merchandise. For three years
the business was there carried on, after which
Mr. Bailey purchased a farm near Georgetown,
where he carried on agricultural pursuits and
stock -raising for five years, but there he
suffered heavy losses by fire which destroyed
his home and other buildings around the place.
He then returned to Georgetown, wishing to give
his children the benefit of the educational
privileges afforded by the schools there, and
for several years, remained a resident of that
place. During that period he owned an
interest with John Hall in the lumber
business at Tuscola, Illinois, Kansas City,
Missouri, where Mr. Hall
removed. He was also a partner with Mr.
Brachall, the merchant tailor of Danville,
for years. At the same time he engaged in
dealing in land, owning realty in Kansas,
Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Indiana and Illinois.
Mr. Bailey has displayed marked foresight in
Making his investments and upon many of his
farms he has realized handsomely. In 1870
he became one of a company that was organized to
build the Paris & Danville railroad, Hiram
Sanford, of Paris, Illinois, becoming the
president, while
Mr. Bailey was one of the directors. But the
company failed and through this disaster Mr.
Bailey met with great loss. The road
is now owned by the Big Four Company.
Until 1888 our subject lived retired in
Georgetown and then removed to Kansas City,
Missouri, but remained for only for months in
that place, returning to Vermilion county on
account of his wife's health. He then
settled in Danville, where he has sine lived
retired.
On the 10th of May, 1888, Mr. Bailey was called
upon to mourn the loss of his wife who on that
date departed this life leaving four children.
Edward Everett, the eldest, is now serving
as United States consul at Ensenada, Mexico.
Sarah Elizabeth, born June 2, 1855, is the
wife of Jesse C. More, who for several
years was connected with Rand, McNally & Company
of Arizona, but continues to make his home in
Danville and with them Mr. Bailey is
living. Martin B., a prominent
citizen, born January 22, 1857, married Lucie
Payne and is a leading attorney and the
present mayor of Danville, as well as state
senator from his district. Josephine,
born August 31, 1875, now resides in Boston.
Mrs. Bailey, the wife of our subject, was a
woman of more than ordinary ability, and at the
age of four years could read with accuracy.
She graduated in the Georgetown Seminary and
attended a Quaker institution at Bloomingdale,
Indiana, and there completed her education.
She was an earnest Christian woman, attending
the Methodist church after marriage, although
reared a Quaker.
Mr. Bailey served as township supervisor of Georgetown
township for three years, but has never been an
active politician is the sense of office
seeking. His political support has been
given to the Republican party since its
organization and he has long been a member of
the Methodist Episcopal church. He was one
of the leading singers in the church of
Georgetown at an early day. Throughout
Vermilion county he has a wide acquaintance and
he is numbered among the early settlers, for
through fifty-eight years he has resided here.
In his business affairs, owing to his keen
sagacity and his enterprise he has prospered.
Some reverses have come to him, but with
determined energy he has largely overcome the
obstacles and difficulties in his path and today
he is the possessor of a handsome competence.
Source: Past and Present of Vermilion County,
Illinois - 1903 - Page 730 |
| |
G. W. BAIRD is a
substantial farmer and stock-raiser of Vance Township, owning
therein three hundred and fifty-nine acres of land. Besides,
valuable property in Fairmount. Vermilion county, Illinois. He
was born in Brown County, Ohio, October 18, 1851 and is a son of
Joseph and Elizabeth (Baldwin) Baird, the former a native of
Ohio and the latter born in Kentucky. They were married in
Kentucky and located in Ohio, where Joseph Baird followed black
smithing, in Brown County. They came to Vermilion County,
Illinois, in 1889 and located on a farm in Vance Township. In -
1897 they removed to Catlin township. The mother died in 1857
and two years later Mr. Baird.
Source: Past and Present of
Vermilion County, Illinois - 1903 - Page 739 - Submitted by Mary
Paulius |
| |
J. F.
BAIRD. The
name of Baird has through long years been closely
associated with agricultural interests in Vermilion County and
he of whom we write is a representative farmer and successful
business man, possessing excellent executive ability, keen
discrimination and marked enterprise. He was born in Brown
County. Ohio. On the 7th of September, 1852 and is a son of
Joseph and Elizabeth (Baldwin) Baird, the former a native of
Ohio and the latter of Kentucky.
They were married in the Buckeye state and are
represented elsewhere in this work. The father had learned
the blacksmith's trade in early life and followed that pursuit
in Ohio until 1865 when with his family he came to Illinois,
settling in Vermilion County. Here abandoning his trade he
turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and is now living
upon a farm in Catlin township. He has been three times married
and with him resides his third wife. Independent in politics he
has never sought or desired the honors and emoluments of office
for himself, but has ever been earnest in support of political
measures which deemed him advance local welfare or national
progress.
In the schools of his native county J. Frank Baird
of this review obtained his education, pursuing his studies
there through the winter months until he was ten years of age,
while in the summer seasons he assisted his father in the work
upon the farm. After putting aside his text books he gave his
entire attention to farm work, first in the employ of others and
then in operation of rented land. With the family he came to
Vermilion county and on Christmas day of 1877, in Fairmount, was
celebrated the marriage of J. Frank Baird and Miss Jessie
Freemont Browning, who was born in Danville on the 4th of
May, 1857, and is a daughter of George Browning, whose birth
occurred in Derbyshire, England. After arriving at years of
maturity and in the meantime becoming a resident of America he
was married in Georgetown, Vermilion county, Illinois, to
Miss Emily D. Booker, a native of Virginia, and a
daughter of James and Ann (Throckmorton) Booker, the former a
native of the Old Dominion. A brother of Mrs. Baird's
' great-grandfather served as a soldier of the Revolutionary
war. At the time of their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Browning
became residents of Danville, where the former engaged in
merchandising for two years. They then removed to Fairmount,
which was their home until January, 1859. Mrs. Browning
then went to Ohio for her health, but in that month died and was
buried at Plattsburg near Springfield, Ohio. In 1860 Mr.
Browning was again married, his second union being with Miss
Mary Reiley, of New Albany, Indiana, a native of
Posey county, that state, born February 23, 1838. Her parents,
Benjamin and Mary (Dalby) national
progress.
In the schools of his native county J. Frank Baird
of this review obtained his education, pursuing his studies
there through the winter months until he was ten years of age,
while in the summer seasons he assisted his father in the work
upon the farm. After putting aside his text books he gave his
entire attention to farm work, first in the employ of others and
then in operation of rented land. With the family he came to
Vermilion county and on Christmas day of 1877, in Fairmount, was
celebrated the marriage of J. Frank Baird and Miss Jessie
Freemont Browning, who was born in Danville on the
4th of May, 1857, and is a daughter of George Browning, whose
birth occurred in Derbyshire, England. After arriving at years
of maturity and in the meantime becoming a resident of America,
he was married in Georgetown, Vermilion County, Illinois, to
Miss Emily D. Booker, a native of Virginia, and a
daughter of James and Ann (Throckmorton)
Booker, the former a native of the Old Dominion. A
brother of Mrs. Baird's ' great-grandfather served as a
soldier of the Revolutionary war. At the time of their marriage
Mr. and Mrs. Browning became
residents of, and Mrs. Browning became residents
of Danville, where the former engaged in merchandising for two
years. They then removed to Fairmount. which was their home
until January, 18 59 Mrs. Browning then went to
Ohio for her health, but in that month died and was buried at
Plattsburg near Springfield, Ohio. In 1860, Mr.
Browning was again married, his second union being with
Miss Mary Reiley, of New Albany, Indiana, a
native of Posey County, that state, born February 23, 1838. Her
parents, Benjamin and Mary (Dalby)
Reiley, were both natives of England, were married in
that county and afterward came to the new world, locating first
in Illinois. Subsequently they removed to Ohio and some years
later returned to Vermilion County, where Mr. Reiley
died July 9, 1897. His wife still is living and survives him and is living
in Vance Township. By his first marriage
Mr. George Browning had three children: Evangeline,
Eva and Jessie F. the last named the wife of our
subject. By the second marriage there were ten children:
Harriett Angeline, the wife of Smiley Baird, a
resident of Homer, Illinois, and they have five children:
Fannie B., the wife of Joshua Wragg of Springfield.
Ohio: George Harrison, who wedded Alice Cluxton, who with their one child
reside in Urbana, Illinois; Albert B., of Gibson City.
Illinois, who wedded Lucy Wilson. By whom he has
one child: Walter, born in 1872 and died June 9, 1899;
Mary B. the wife of J. R. T. Barton, of Jamaica.
Illinois, by whom she has one child; Nevina, who is at
home; Ruth. Who died in 1897, a twin sister of Nevina;
J. Oscar, a resident of the state of Washington; and
Ethel B., still with her parents.
After his marriage J. F. Baird of this review
rented a tract of land which he continued
to cultivate for six years. He then purchased the farm upon
which he now resides, becoming the owner of one hundred and
eighty-five acres, a valuable tract on sections 6 and 7, Vance
Township. Here he has a splendid residence, good barns, and all
the equipments and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth
century. He has placed his land under a high state of
cultivation and everything about his place is neat and thrifty
in appearance, indicating the careful supervision of the owner.
The improvements upon his farm stand as monuments to his
enterprise and are substantial evidences of his life of well
directed labor.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Baird has been blessed
with three children: Earl Ray, w ho was born
October 28, 1878, and assists his father on the farm; Emily
Ethel, who was born August 31, 1882, and died August
20,1883, and Pearl B., who was born November 14,
1885, and is now an accomplished music teacher. The family
attended the services of the Baptist church of which Mr.
Baird is a member and fraternally he is connected with
the Court of Honor and the Knights of the Globe, while in his
political views he is a Republican, unfaltering in support of
the principles of the party. The greater part of his life has
been passed in Vermilion County, where he has gained a \vide
acquaintance among the best classes of citizens. In his business
interests he has prospered and although he started out in life
for himself empty handed he has steadily worked his way upward,
brooking no obstacles that could be overcome by honest and
earnest purpose. Thus he has gained the place of affluence.
Being today classed among the substantial agriculturists of his
community.
Source: Submitted by Mary Paulius from Past and
Present of Vermilion Co., Illinois - 1903 - Page 719 ok |
| |
JOSEPH BAIRD.
More than one-third of a century ago Joseph Baird became a
resident of Vermilion County and has since been a representative
of 'its agricultural interests. He has witnessed much of the
growth and development of the county within his period and has
ever manifested a deep and active interest in measures
pertaining to the general good. His life, though quietly passed,
has been characterized by all that is honorable and
straightforward in his dealings with his fellow men and he
therefore commands the respect and confidence of those with whom
he has been associated.
Mr. Baird was born in Adams County, Ohio. November 13, 1825, and
comes of a family of Irish lineage, his paternal grandfather, John
Baird, having been born on the Emerald isle, whence he
crossed the Atlantic to the new world. Thomas Baird, the father,
was a native of Ohio and after arriving at years of maturity he
wedded Susan Hughes, whose birth occurred in Pennsylvania.
She was a daughter of Joseph Hughes, for whom our subject was
named, and who was a stonemason by trade. The wedding of Thomas
Baird and Susan Hughes was celebrated in Adams County, Ohio,
where they began domestic life, the father devoting his energies
to agricultural pursuits. Subsequently he removed with his
family to Brown County, Ohio, where he remained until his death,
which occurred about 1860. His wife survived him for only a
brief period, passing away in 1862, at which time she was laid
to rest by his side in Railroad cemetery, of Brown County. In
his political views Thomas Baird was a staunch Democrat,
unfaltering in his support of the principles in which he
believed and both he and his wife were loyal and devoted members
of the Christian church. In their family were eight children: John, who died at the age of twenty-one years;
Mary Jane, who
wedded J. Runalds, a resident of Nebraska; Joseph
Frank, who
married Agnes Jordan and after her death wedded Sallie
Ann Baldwin, but both he and his second wife died in Champaign,
Illinois; George, who was a soldier of the Union army in the
Civil war and died from the effects of his military service;
Thomas, who died at the age of eighteen years; Katie Ann, who
died at the age of ten years; and J. S., who wedded Julia
Sparks
and after her death married Rella Neville. His second wife died
and he then married Mrs. Smith, making his home near
Indianapolis, Indiana. Joseph Baird pursued his education in
subscription schools. He was first a student at Briar Red School
in Adams County, Ohio, the little temple of learning being built
of hewed logs and supplied with dab seats which rested upon
wooden pegs. He became an expert at making goose quill pens and
he mastered the elementary branches of learning there taught.
Later he continued his education in the Koppel School, which was
also conducted on the subscription plan.
Through the winter months he there pursued his studies while in
the summer months he aided in the labors of the home farm.. At
the age of fifteen, however, he put aside his text-books
altogether and thereafter his knowledge was broadened through
reading, experience and observation. Learning the blacksmith's
trade he followed that pursuit in Brown county, Ohio, for a time
and subsequently removed to Ripley in Union township near
Cincinnati, Ohio, where he secured employment at his trade.
While residing in that locality Mr. Baird sought a companion and
helpmate for life's journey and wedded Miss Elizabeth
Ann Baldwin, a native of Kentucky, but she survived for only a few
years, passing away in 1857. In 1859 Mr. Baird was again
married, his second union being with Lucinda Wyckoff, who died
in 1860. In 1863 he was joined in wedlock to Mary Neal, is now
living with him in this county. In the year 1863; Joseph
Baird
came to Vermilion County, Illinois, establishing his home upon a
farm which he cu1tivated for some time. He then sold that
property and removed to Fairmount. Later, however he rented a
family farm and is now living in Catlin Township, superintending
his agricultural interests. His sons, George, Frank and
Smiley,
had all come to Vermilion county several years before the
arrival of the father and. Purchasing land here. They had become
very well-to-do.
By his first marriage Mr. Baird had six children:
Thomas, now
deceased, married Martha Jones and his widow resides with her
two sons in Fairmount. George. The second of the family, is
mentioned elsewhere in this work. Sarah Jane is the deceased
wife of Henry Browning who married again and lived in Vance
Township, Vermilion County, but both he and his second wife have
also passed away. Frank is also mentioned elsewhere in this
work. Smiley married Hattie Browning by whom he has five
children and they reside upon a farm at Homer. Charles, the
youngest child of this marriage, died at the age of four years.
The children born unto Mr. Baird and his present wife were two
in number, but only one is non living, Samuel J., who married
Etta –Allison and resides with his father upon the farm in Catlin Township. He has two daughters.
In his political views Joseph Baird is an independent. He keeps
well informed on the questions and issues of the day, but gives
his vote in support of men and measures rather than of party.
While living in Ohio he served as supervisor for four terms, but
he has never been an office seeker, preferring that his time and
attention should be given to his business interests. His life
record now covers seventy-seven years and there is much in his
career that is worthy of emulation. Industrious and energetic he
has labored earnestly for the welfare of his family and in all
business relations has been found honorable and trustworthy. In
matters of citizenship he is public-spirited and progressive;
withholding his support from no measure which he has believed
would prove of general good.
During his residence in Vermilion County he has become widely
known and all with whom he has been brought high regard.
Source:
Submitted by Mary Paulius - Past and Present of Vermilion Co.,
Illinois, Illinois - 1903 - pg. 1013 ok |
| |
SAMUEL W. BAUM.
The three essential elements of success –
industry, energy and intelligence – may be acquired by
all. They do
not come through hereditary tendencies, save in a latent
form which must be developed through exercise; they
cannot be received as a legacy; nor can they be
purchased.
They are a matter of acquirement through cultivation and
thus in a country unhampered by caste or class the road
to success is open to all.
Samuel W.
Baum may well be termed a self-made man, for while
he stands to-day among the prosperous men of Vermilion
county, he was at the outset of his business career
empty-handed and dependent entirely upon his own
exertions.
He became a leading farmer and stock-raiser, also
extended his efforts into other fields of endeavor and
now he is living retired in the enjoyment of the
competence which he has gained.
Mr. Baum
was born Feb. 15, 1842, on the old family homestead in
Carroll township, Vermilion county, a son of
Samuel and Sarah
(Weaver) Baum.
He began his education in a little log
schoolhouse in Indianola and after a few weeks entered a
subscription school taught in the old house that now
stands beside the Baptist church.
The teachers “boarded round” at the homes of the
pupils. For two summers he was under the instruction of
a capable lady teacher.
Later he attended only for about two and a half
months in the winter season, but in later years he
cultivated a power of observing as well as a love of
reading and thus he continually broadened his knowledge,
becoming a well informed man.
His father believed in keeping the boys busy and
thus he early became familiar with hard work.
He would break prairie with six yoke of oxen,
turning a twenty-two inch furrow.
After his father’s death he left home and was
employed for a time as a farm hand by the day.
His younger brother remained at home and as they
each had a horse they had bought they made a team,
purchased a plow and set of harness and rented their
father’s farm from the executors.
After farming together for a year they borrowed
some money and began buying yearling cattle, which they
fed and grazed until they were three years old, when
they fattened them and sold.
The second year they both owned a team and
remained on the farm.
Their first crop brought eight and ten cents per
bushel, but in war times prices advanced.
When the estate was settled
Samuel W. Baum
received his share – eighty acres of raw prairie, and
after the fourth year he broke this.
The timber with which he fenced it, he hauled
seven miles.
His uncle said he would not fence it for the land – such
was the estimate placed on prairie at that time.
The next year
Mr. Baum bought another eighty-acre tract, fenced the entire amount
and placed it under the plow.
During this time he and his brother had continued
in the cattle business together and the partnership was
maintained until 1872, during which time they became
extensive shippers of and dealers of cattle.
They then dissolved partnership, but
Mr. Baum
continued the business from time to time he purchased
more land until his possession now aggregate fourteen
hundred acres in Vermilion county.
For several years he boarded with his sister,
Mrs. Pugh,
who lived nearby, and then he erected a small frame
house, but later made extensive, valuable and splendid
improvements on his farm until it was one of the best
country seats of this portion of the state.
There he lived until November, 1890, when he
removed to Danville, and after two years he came to
Indianola, where he purchased property and has since
made his home.
While he is practically living retired, he yet
gives his supervision to his large farm.
He has been one of the most extensive dealers in
cattle in eastern Illinois and for many
years he was interested in fancy stock.
In 1892 he fed six head of two years-old steers
that weighed on an average of nineteen hundred and fifty
pounds. For
many years he bred fancy shorthorn cattle, and he gave
some attention to horses but made a specialty of beef
cattle and hogs.
For a time he was connected with the Danville
Fair Association and the Indianola Association, and has
ever been interested in whatever tends to promote
advancement along agricultural lines.
His attention, however, he has not been confined
entirely to farm products and kindred industries for he
is a stockholder in the large Emery dry-goods house of Danville.
On the 5th of November, 1879,
Mr. Baum was
united in marriage to
Miss Della
Stewart, a native of Vermilion county and a daughter
of Joseph and Sarah Jane (Cochran) Stewart.
She was born on the old
Achilles Morgan farm in the first brick house built in this county.
Her parents were natives of Brown county,
Ohio, were there married and in an early day
went to Woodford county,
Illinois.
They went down the Ohio
to the Mississippi,
then up the latter to the Illinois and after following that waterway for a time,
landed at
Spring Bay, whence they proceeded on horse back
to their destination.
After a residence of five or six years in
Woodford county they came to Vermilion county and
purchased the old
Morgan farm in Georgetown township, southeast of Danville.
Mr.
Stewart lived to be sixty-four years of age and died
in Danville,
to which place he had removed after his children had
married and left home.
His widow now makes her home with her youngest
daughter, Mrs. R.
A. Rouse.
To them were born seven daughters:
Mary
Malinda, who died when three months old;
Thamer Elizabeth¸ the twin of
Mary and the wife of
Thomas Patrick,
who is a farmer of Vermilion county, Indiana;
Lavina¸ the
wife of J. C.
Maddox, of Sidell township;
Sarah Amanda,
who died at the age of five years;
Josephine,
the wife of
Jasper N. Baum, of Edgar county, Illinois;
Della, the wife of
Samuel Baum;
and Dollie,
the wife of R. A.
Rouse, of Danville.
In politics
Samuel Baum has been a Republican since voting for
Abraham Lincoln
in 1864, but he has never held or wanted office,
preferring to give his attention to his business
affairs, in which he has met with signal success.
He is a self-made man in the best sense of that
term, having had no assistance in his business career,
and while winning prosperity he has also gained the
respect and goodwill of his fellow men and is numbered
among the valued and leading men of the county.
Source: The Past and Present of Vermilion Co., Illinois
- Publ. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1903 -
Page 130 ok
|
| |
WILLIAM F. BAUM
needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, for he has
long been one of Danville's prominent citizens, having been
known for many years as a leading druggist. Moreover, the high
and upright principles of his life have commended him to the
confidence and good will of all with whom he has been brought in
contact. He was born on the 5th of February, 1848, in Covington,
Indiana, his parents being Abner and Louisa (Hull) Baum,
both natives of Ohio. As the name indicates, the family is of
German origin and the first representative in America was
John Baum, the great-grandfather of our subject. The
grandfather was Jonas Baum, who fought for
American independence during the Revolutionary war and died at
the age of seventy-five years. During his active business life
the father followed farming, but spent his last days in
retirement in Nebraska. At the age of six years he accompanied
his parents on their removal from Fayette county, Ohio, to
Covington, Indiana, where he was reared upon a farm amid pioneer
surroundings. He witnessed the building of the canal there
and saw many other improvements made that led to the substantial
development and progress of the city. In his family were the
following children, namely: William F. of this review;
O. S., a minister of the Presbyterian church, now located in
Colorado; James A., who is engaged m the drug business in
Lee, Nebraska; Emma, the wife of Frank Scott,
a druggist of Rising City, Nebraska, and two who are deceased.
William F. Baum obtained a good practical
education during his boyhood and youth and later successfully
engaged in teaching school for a time, but believing that he
could better his financial condition by embarking in some other
business, in 1870 he accepted a position in a drug store at
Covington, Indiana, where for the first year he received only
fifteen dollars per month. The following year his wages were
raised to thirty dollars per month and the third year he
received forty dollars. The firm then established a branch store
at Marshfield, that state, and made Mr. Baum its manager.
A year later he purchased the store and subsequently opened
another at Gibson City, Illinois. On the 1st of November, 1874,
he came to Danville and embarked in the drug business here,
bringing his stock with him from Gibson City. His Marshfield
store he had previously sold and on coming to Vermilion county
he first located near the Aetna House in Danville where he
carried on business for four years. He next conducted a store on
the public square until I889, when he removed to No. 41 North
Vermilion street, opening one of the most modern and up-to-date
establishments of the kind in this section of the west. He has
now for forty years been identified with the drug business and
is today the oldest druggist in Danville. As time has passed he
has steadily prospered and is today one of the most successful
men of the city, owning a large amount of real estate. In 1882
he built the Baum block at the corner of East Main and Jackson
streets, which at that time many considered a great mistake,
believing it to be a bad location. But Mr. Baum's
judgment in this respect proved sound and it has developed into
one of the leading business centers of the city. In 1907 he
began the erection of a magnificent building seven stories in
height, which was completed in April, 1908. It is the highest
building in the city and one of the best appointed and most
handsome structures in this section of the state. Here he is now
conducting a finely equipped drug store on the ground floor, it
being up-to-date in every respect and supplied with all modern
conveniences and accessories.
Mr. Baum was married on the 10th of
September, 1874, to Miss Louisa A. Johnson, whose birth
occurred in New Marshfield, Warren county, Indiana, in November,
1851. She completed her education in St. Mary's Seminary, Terre
Haute, Indiana. Her parents were Henry and Amanda (Davis)
Johnson, pioneer settlers of Warren county. After a happy
married life of over thirty years she passed away on the 21st of
March, 1905, leaving her husband and one son to mourn her loss.
The latter is Clarence H. Baum, who was born September 6,
1875, in Danville and after completing the high-school course
here, entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1894,
completing the course in pharmacy and chemistry by graduation in
1896. Two years later the degree of Bachelor of Science was
conferred upon him and in July, 1900, he started on a trip
around the world, visiting every country of any importance, and
had many interesting experiences.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Baum has
affiliated with the republican party and has taken a very active
and influential part in local politics, serving as a member of
the city council for four years, from 1904 to 1908. He attends
the Methodist Episcopal church and is an honored member of the
Masonic fraternity, also belonging to the Vermilion county and
Illinois Pharmaceutical Associations. He served for one year as
vice president and also as treasurer for the same length of time
for the state association and has been a delegate to the
National Association of Retail Druggists a number of times. As a
business man he has always kept in touch with the trend of
modern progress and through well denned lines of management has
contributed in no small degree to the commercial development of
the city. He is a man of sterling and forceful personality, his
mental vision is clear, and he readily recognizes the
possibilities of any situation whether of a public or private
character. Moreover, his position is never an equivocal one, for
he stands as a stalwart champion of whatever he believes to be
right. In his business career he has made steady progress, but
is no less esteemed for the traits he displays in the relations
of social life and of citizenship.
Source: Past and Present of Vermilion
County, Ill. - Vol. II - by Lottie Jones - 1903 - Page 497 ok -
Submitted by Mary Paulius |
| |
WILLIAM F. BAUM was born in
Covington, Indiana,
Feb. 5, 1848, a son of
Abner and Louisa
(Hull) Baum, both of
whom are natives of Ohio.
The father is still living at the age of
eighty-four years, the mother at the age of seventy-four
years, and their home is in
Nebraska.
Throughout his active business career he carried
on agricultural pursuits.
When he was but six years of age he removed with
his parents from Fayette county, Ohio, to
Covington,
Indiana, saw the latter place in
the days of its infancy, his father purchasing a farm
near that town.
He witnessed the building of the canal there and
saw many other improvements made that led to the
substantial development and progress of the city.
His father,
Jonas Baum,
was a Revolutionary soldier, who valiantly aided in the
struggle for American independence and died at the age
of seventy-five years.
As the name indicates the
Baum family
is of German lineage and the first representative in America was
John Baum¸the grandfather of
William F. Baum.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Abner Baum were born six children, of whom
William F. is
the eldest.
The members of the family still living are
Rev. O. S. Baum,
a Presbyterian minister located in Colorado;
James A., who
is engaged in the drug business in Lee, Nebraska; and
Emma, the wife of Frank Scott,
a druggist of Rising City, Nebraska.
After completing his literary education in his
native county
William F. Baum engaged in teaching school, but
ambitious to make a start which would promise better
results he began working at the drug business, receiving
fifteen dollars per month for the first year.
This was in 1870.
The following year he was given thirty dollars
per month and the third year forty dollars.
At the end of that time this firm in
Covington by whom he was employed,
established a branch wtore at
Marshfield, that state, and made
Mr. Baum its
manager. He
continued in charge there for a year and then purchased
the store, while later he established a drug store in
Gibson City, Illinois.
On the 1st of November, 1874, he came
to Danville, where he
opened a drug store, removing his stock from Gibson City.
His Marshfield
store he had previously sold and on coming to Vermilion
county he first located near the Aetna House in
Danville, where he continued for
more than four years, when he removed to the Public Square.
There he remained until 1889, when he established
his store at
No. 41 North Vermilion street.
He owns that store building, which is a fine
business structure of modern design.
It has a tile floor with plate-glass front and
every convenience for carrying on the trade in an
improved manner.
Mr. Baum
has thirty-two years’ experience in the drug business
and during twenty-eight years of this time has been in
Danville.
Few merchants are more widely known in the city
and the circle of his friends is very extensive.
When he arrived in Danville
in 1874 there was a population of about five thousand
and in point of years of connection with the city’s
mercantile interests
Mr. Baum is to-day the oldest druggist of Danville.
On the 10th of September, 1874,
occurred the marriage of
William F. Baum
and Miss Louisa A. Johnson, who was born in New
Marshfield, Warren county, Indiana, in
November, 1851.
She supplemented her early school privileges by
study in St. Mary’s Seminary in Terre Haute, Indiana.
She is a daughter of
Henry and Amanda (Davis) Johnson, who
were pioneer settlers of Warren
county and by her marriage she has become the mother of
one son, Clarence H. Baum, who was born September 6, 1875, in Danville and is a graduate
of the high school here.
In 1894 he entered the
University of Michigan at
Ann Arbor and completed a course
in pharmacy and chemistry by graduation in the class of
1896, while in 1898 the degree of Bachelor of Science
was confirmed upon him.
In July, 1900, he started on a trip around the
world, visiting every country of any importance and
while sojourning in Europe he was entertained by the
sultan of Turkey.
He traveled throughout the
Holy Land, seeing everything of note and
interest in that historic district.
He has seen all classes of people in their native
attire and in their systems of worship and he returned
to his home in Danville
with a valuable collection of all kinds of currency used
in Europe.
He also has a diary of his travels which would
contain many points of interest to the general reader.
He is able to converse fluently in the German,
French and Spanish languages as well as in English, and
in this regard as in others, his aid will be of much
value to his father in conducting the drug business
which he now controls.
Many were his experiences of an unusual nature.
While traveling abroad on the island of Ceylon he went on a hunt for elephants.
The party captured one hundred of these immense
beasts but sixty got away, and for a few moments it
seemed that the life of
Mr. Baum was
in great danger.
In his political views
William F. Baum
is an earnest Republican, being recognized as one of the
standard bearers of his party in this locality.
He was recently elected alderman from the fifth
ward in the face of strong opposition which fact
indicates his popularity.
He and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal
church and he is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
He also belongs to Vermilion county and the
Illinois Pharmaceutical Association and he served for
one years as vice president and for one year as
treasurer of the State Association, and has been state
delegate to the Natural Association of Retail Druggists
a number of times.
He owns one of the best business blocks in Danville, on Main and Jackson streets, having been built in 1882,
and has other valuable property in the city, including a
handsome home on North Vermilion street.
He has been identified with the growth and
progress of the town through almost thirty years and Danville recognizes him as one of its foremost
and progressive men.
Source: The Past and
Present of Vermilion Co., Illinois - Publ. Chicago: The
S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1903 - Page 784 ok
|
NOTES: |
