Frank E. Bauer, a general farmer, and extensive stock
raiser of Dorchester township, Macoupin County, who owns a magnificent farm
of 480 acres, situated in sections 20 and 21, was born on this place,
November 18, 1868, and is a son of John Henry and Anna (Ahlers) Bauer.
John Henry Bauer was born in Saxony, Germany, November 28, 1825, and
came to Illinois, by way of New Orleans and St. Louis, in 1848, at first
staying with an uncle in Madison County for two months, and finally locating
near Bunker Hill in Macoupin County the same year. His parents moved to
Bunker Hill in 1851 and died the same year. He was entirely dependent upon
his own resources and no better idea can be given as to his industry, thrift
and business ability, than the fact of his being able to accumulate so large
a body of land as 2,000 acres. At the time of his death, December 13, 1899,
he owned 1,772 acres and was one of the largest landowners in Macoupin
County. His first purchase was one of 160 acres in section 21, Dorchester,
township, for which he paid $5 an acre. The beautiful brick dwelling and
commodious barns and other buildings were constructed by him. For many years
he was one of the township's prominent men, taking part in public spirited
enterprises, favoring legislation looking to educational advancement and
upholding all measures contributive to the public weal. He gave his children
collegiate advantages and looked carefully after their material welfare.
While liberal in his support of all religious bodies, he was particularly
generous in his gifts to the Lutheran Church.
In 1852 John Henry
Bauer married Anna Ahlers, who was born in Holstein, Germany, November 11,
1832, and came to America in 1851. She was the eldest of the seven children
of Adam and Magdalena Ahlers, the others being: A^Irs. Dora Sanders;
Frederick; Mrs. Wilhelmina Arnheim; Henry, of San Jose, California; Mrs.
Johanna Gauer; and Charles, of Reese River, Nevada. Mr. and Mrs. Bauer had
eight children, viz: Mrs. Matilda Weidner, deceased; Albert, who died in
California; Mrs. Maria Redman, who died at Tipton, Missouri; Henry, of
Gillespie township, Macoupin County; Mrs. Anna Henrichs, of St. Louis,
Missouri; Frank E., of this sketch; Otto, a resident of Macon County,
Illinois; and Bertha, a most beautiful and highly educated young lady, who
died at the age of 19 years.
Our subject, Frank E. Bauer, has always
lived on the beautiful farm of his present residence, which it has been his
constant aim to further improve. Reared to practical farming and thoroughly
understanding all the conditions which make it a success, he has continued
to prosper. He has made a specialty of stock raising. At present he owns 75
head of Aberdeen Angus cattle, some of which are registered, in addition to
a number of fine horses and high grade hogs. Mr. Bauer has also under his
oversight a farm of 630 acres that belongs to another party. An orchard of
400 apple trees which he set out a few years ago gives every promise of
bringing in large returns. He is a man of method, and in spite of
multitudinous duties has so arranged his work that there is no friction and
every department yields satisfactory results.
Mr. Bauer was married
January 3, 1894, to Louisa Otto, who was born October 9, 1873, in Shelby
County, Illinois, and is a daughter of August and Augusta Otto, both of whom
were natives of Saxony, Germany.
In politics Mr. Bauer is identified
with the Republican party and takes a lively interest in township matters,
and is serving at present as school treasurer. Fraternally he is a Master
Mason, belonging to Bunker Hill Lodge, No. 151, A. F. & A. M., while Mrs.
Bauer is a member of the auxiliary society, the Order of the Eastern Star.
Both are valued members of the Bunker Hill Congregational Church.
Extracted 2018 May 08 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 531-533.
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