Biography of George Baum of Morris, Illinois

George BAUM, clothier, Morris, was born in Germany January 20, 1828; son of George BAUM, who was born and raised in Germany, and also died here. Subject emigrated to the United States in 1853, landing in New York City on the 16th of of August. He was educated in the common schools of Germany, and when twenty-one years of age was put into the regular army, by a law of that country, which compelled all able-bodied young men, to serve six years. Our subject, by good deportment while in the service, was enabled to procure a recommendation from the principal officers over him, which have him an honorable release two years prior to the expiration of the time for which he had enlisted. From the date of this landing in the United States in 1853 to 1856, he occupied his time principally in laboring as a farm hand in the States of Connecticut and New Jersey, having had but a meager supply of means when he landed. After reaching Morris on the 4th of April, 1856, he began as before in laboring at any kind of work that presented itself, by which he could earn fair wages, and continued in this way some seven or eight years. He and his brother, Henry then began the clothing business on his own responsibility, and at present is thus engaged, and doing a satisfactory business. He has been an Alderman in Morris for seven years, and has been Director for several years for the Cemetery Association. Mr. BAUM was married, in Germany, in June 1853, just before starting for this country, to Elizabeth KEISER. They have raised three children to maturity and lost two sons, one dying in infancy and the other in his thirteenth year. Those living are one son, Henry, and two daughters, viz., Eliza (wife of John SCHROBER) and Annie. Mr. BAUM and wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and he is a member of the I. O. O. F. Mr. BAUM owns a handsome and commodious two-story brick residence in Morris, good store-room, a tenement house, and some vacant lots; he is a Democrat.

Baum, George (deceased) – A pioneer of Morris whose business career was a long and honored one, George Baum was a son of George Baum, and was born in Germany, January 20, 1828. He came to Morris in 1856, and worked for others until he established himself in business in 1863 or 1864. In 1877 he founded the clothing house which bore his name and developed it into one of the leading establishments of the village. For a number of years he served as an Alderman, being elected on the Democratic ticket, and for some years was a director of the Cemetery Association. In June, 1853, he married Elizabeth Kelser, and their children to grow to maturity were: Henry, Mrs. John Schobert, and Annie. He belonged to the Lutheran Church, and in fraternal matters was a member of the Odd Fellows.