Peter Bauman Biography - Livingston County Illinois Genealogy & History

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Peter Bauman
Biography
Livingston County, Illinois

[The Biographical Record of Livingston and Woodford Counties, Illinois (Chicago: S.J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1900) - Submitted by Amy Robbins-Tjaden]

Peter Bauman, one of the representative German-American citizens of Livingston county and a prosperous farmer, residing on section 26, Pike township, two miles from Chenoa, was born in Luxemburg, Germany, April 30, 1834, and there grew to manhood. He had good educational advantages, attending school eight years, becoming familiar with the German language, but his knowledge of English has been acquired through his own unaided efforts since coming to the new world. In 1854 he was one of the passengers on a sailing vessel, which left the harbor of Havre, France, and arrived in New York after twenty-eight days spent upon the water, which was considered a quick trip at that time. He proceeded at once to Chicago, joining his brother, Michael Bauman, who had located in Illinois in 1849.
Our subject found employment on a farm in Woodford county, working by the month several years there and in Marshall county. His first purchase of land was a partially improved farm of one hundred acres in the latter county, on which was standing a small house, and there he made his home for several years. In 1888 he bought the farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 26, Pike township, Livingston county, where he now resides, and to its further improvement and development he has since devoted his time and attention, success attending his well-directed efforts.
While a resident of Woodford county, Mr Bauman was married, in January, 1861, to Miss Helen Balbach, who was born and reared in Bavaria, Germany, and is a daughter of August and Anna Elizabeth (Keeler) Balbach. The mother died in that country, and in 1854, the father, with his three daughters and one son, came to America, joining his older son, Jacob Balback (sic), who had been a resident of Woodford county, Illinois, since 1852, and who is now a merchant of Chenoa. The other son, Paul Balbach, is a farmer of Pike township, Livingston county. The father died in Woodford county, in 1856. Mr and Mrs Bauman have a family of eight children, namely: Mary, wife of Chris Pfeffinger, of Waldo township. Livingston county; Lizzie, at home; Effie, widow of Alaxander (sic) Black, and a resident of Woodford county; Peter, who is married and lives in Pekin, Illinois; Lena, Anna and Clara, all at home. The last named was educated at Chenoa, and the normal college at Valparaiso, Indiana, and is now one of the successful teachers of Livingston county.
Politically Mr Bauman is a stanch Democrat, and cast his first presidential ballot for Stephen A. Douglas, in 1860. He has never cared for public office, but has preferred to devote his undivided time and attention to his business interests. His life has been one of industry and due success has not been denied him. His honorable, upright course commends him to the confidence and respect of all, and he is well worthy of representation in the history of his adopted county.

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