FRANK BAUMGARTNER, whose enterprise, persistence and perseverance have overcome every obstacle in the pathway of success leading from the depths of poverty to his present affluence, has every reason to be proud of the course of his life as a self-made man. He is classed among the representative farmers and stock-raisers of Woodbine Township, whose interests he has aided in developing and sustaining, while at the same time improving every opportunity to make himself prosperous. He owns 160 acres of land, which he has improved into as fine a farm as is to be found in its immediate vicinity, and has supplied it with a good set of buildings and all the facilities for conducting agriculture after the most approved methods, and he has it well stocked.

Our subject is a native of Bavaria, Germany, born June 16, 1826. His parents were Philip and Rosina (Lutzwcab) Baumgartner, likewise natives of Bavaria. Our subject was reared in his native land, and there spent the first thirty years of his life. He early learned the stone-mason’s trade, which he followed in the old country for several years; but wages were low, and he could scarce support himself, and under the prudent laws of his native Bavaria could not marry while he was so poor. That very law led to his emigration to this country, as he had wooed a young girl of the same nationality as himself, who promised to unit her life with his when he should get money enough to support her. Buoyed up with this promise, and the resolve to claim his bride as soon as possible, he in 1856 sought to improve his fortunes in the New World. He landed in Canada, and made his home in the Dominion the following two years, finding employment in a nursery in St. Catherines. In the meantime he was very prudent and economical, and a year after his arrival he had laid up money enough to enable him to marry, and sending $50 for his betrothed, Elizabeth Steinmann, daughter of Henry Steinmann, she came to him and they were united in marriage in Canada, Oct. 10, 1857. They remained true to each other until death parted them Jan. 14, 1874, when she departed this life, leaving five children, the fruit of their union – William, Gottlieb, Emma, Frances, and Frank. William, a resident of Humboldt County, Iowa, married Anna Fisher, and they have two children – Frank and Agnes. Gottlieb, a resident of Shelby County, Iowa, married Josephine Thrain, and they have one child – Joseph. Emma married Andrew Wand, of this township, and they have two children – Anton and Benjamin.

When our subject landed in Canada he had no money left, and what was worse, was $9 in debt. He worked there for $10 a month, and when dissatisfied with his wages there he determined to come to the “States;” he had $5 ahead to begin life with when he reached Galena in the fall of 1858. After coming to this township in December of the same year, he found employment at his old trade of stonemason, at which he worked for several years after settling in this county, and in that way made a good start without receiving any financial aid from any one, and was enabled to buy his present farm, which has proved an excellent investment, and has netted him a good yearly income.

The marriage of Mr. Baumgartner to his present estimable wife was solemnized Oct. 16, 1874, and their pleasant wedded life has been blessed to them by the birth of four children – Caroline, Anna, Lizzie, and Joseph – all of whom are receiving a liberal education. The family are all devoted members of the Catholic Church, and our subject contributes generously toward its support. Mrs. Baumgartner’s maiden name was Mary Malkmuss, and she is a daughter of the late John and Elizabeth (Stephen) Malkmuss, natives of Bavaria, Germany.

As we have seen in the perusal of this brief sketch, our subject has led a busy life, guided by worthy motives that have led him to prosperity. In his residence in this township of over thirty years his conduct in all the relations of life has been such as to merit the respect that is accorded to him by all.

Transcribed & Contributed by Carol Parrish Portrait and Biographical Album of Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties, Illinois (1889), p. 757