JOSIAH T. BAUER is one of the wide-awake business men of Stonington, owning and carrying on a good drug store, which is well equipped, and in connection with this he operates a general merchandise store. He merits the large and remunerative trade which is given him, for he is just and honorable in his dealings with his many patrons.

Mr. Bauer is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Northampton County November 13, 1851, his parents being William and Lydia (Miller) Bauer. He is next to the youngest in a family of eight children. Two of the number are deceased, Polly and Marietta, the former of whom died in infancy.

James E. still resides on the old homestead in Pennsylvania; Aaron is engaged in the boot and shoe business in the same State; Lucy became the wife of Frank Kunkel, a boot and shoe dealer of Nazareth, Pa.; Charles R., a retired farmer, resides in Blue Mound, Ill.; and Andrew F. is engaged in general merchandising in Butler County, Neb. The father of these children, who was born in the Keystone State, was a weaver by trade. He died in Pennsylvania, at the age of fifty-four years. He was a fine workman, and in addition to his trade owned a small farm.

His father emigrated to the United States from Germany. The mother of our subject was also born in the same State, and her death occurred at about the age of sixty-four. Like her husband, she was of German extraction.

Josiah T. Bauer remained with his parents on their farm until fifteen years of age, attending the schools of the neighborhood. As the home was broken up at that time, he worked for two years by the month for farmers during the summer, and during the winter was given the privilege of attending school by working morning and evening for his board. He was ambitious and made the most of his opportunities.

He attended the Keystone State Normal School [now Kutztown University of Pennsylvania] of his native State, at Kutztown, for one, term, after which he began teaching, and continued thus engaged for a period of eight years in Pennsylvania. In 1877 he came to Christian County, where he taught school for one year. In the spring of 1878, he engaged in business, opening a drug store and general merchandise store in Stonington, which he has since conducted successfully.

The marriage of Mr. Bauer was celebrated November 8, 1882 with Miss Katie Smith, whose parents, George and Catherine (Bowman) Smith, now deceased, were early pioneers of this county. Two children bless the union of our subject and his wife, Ralph Stanley and Effie Lucy, who are bright and interesting children.

As Mr. Bauer was well known for many years as an educator and promoter of good schools, it was eminently fitting that he should be elected to serve in the capacity of School Treasurer, which office he held for nine years in this district. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, in good standing, and in politics, is a stanch Republican.

The store of Mr. Bauer is well stocked with a general line of drugs and merchandise, in which he has a large trade. In addition to this business he owns two hundred and thirteen acres of valuable farm land adjoining the corporate limits of Stonington, besides several valuable business lots and residences in Stonington. Mrs. Bauer inherited one hundred acres of her father's estate. In addition to carrying on his business, our subject manages and operates his farm.