Baum Biographical

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: [unknown]

James Baum (1799-1884)
Rebecca (Miller) Baum (1803-1887)

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Contents 1 Counties of Porter and Lake 1.1 Porter and Lake-History 1.1.1 1834 1.1.2 1837 Miscellaneous 1.1.3 Morgan Township 1.1.4 Morgan Township, Churches 1.1.5 Morgan Township, Schools 1.2 Milan Cornell 1.3 R. W. Jones 1.4 James Baum 1.5 James W. Baum 1.6 Jesse Baum 1.7 John Baum 1.8 Silas Baum 1.9 Stephen Selman 1.10 Miller Baum 2 Pictorial ... La Porte ... Lake and Starke 2.1 Mrs. Miller Baum 2.2 Mrs. Elizabeth Parshal 2.3 Rev. Lewis Comer 2.4 John Maxwell 3 History of Porter County 3.1 1864 3.2 John Maxwell 3.3 Mr. Smith and Eva Baum 3.4 Lewis Comer 3.5 Arthur Bowser 4 History of Sonoma County, California 5 The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft 6 Sources

Counties of Porter and Lake

Porter and Lake-History

1834

Charles Blanchard and Weston Arthur Goodspeed, Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical (Chicago : F. A. Battey, 1882), 18 (History of Porter County); digital images. Hathi Trust.
Page 18
HISTORY OF PORTER COUNTY. By Hubert S. Skinner
Early in 1834 came J. P. Ballard, who erected the first house upon the site of Valparaiso. It was in the valley of the stream which crosses Morgan street, and in the grounds south of Judge Talcott’s present residence that this first cabin was constructed. A. K. Paine settled in what is now Jackson Township, and built the first dwelling in that locality. Jesse Johnston took up his residence near the old Indian town of Chiqua, near Valparaiso. Thomas and William Gosset selected farms in the northern part of the county. Jacob and David Hurlburt repaired to the borders of Twenty-mile Prairie, which then appeared like a lake filled with islands. Theophilus Crumpacker, Jerry and Joseph Bartholomew and Jacob Wolf, arrived within the year; also, William Frame and Abram Stoner.
On the 11th of January, the first white child was born within the present limits of the county—Reason Bell, whose father, Reason Bell, Sr., resided on what is now Section 15 of Washington Township. Hannah Morgan, daughter of Jesse Morgan, the first native white daughter of this region, was born at the Stage House, February 11. John Fleming, of Union Township, was born within the same year.

 The Government surveyors, Messrs. Polk and Burnside, ran the lines and divided the lands into sections. John J. Foster laid off a town to the east of the “Stage House,” and christened it “Waverly,” but the enterprise did not prove a success.

 The number of immigrants was considerably increased in the following year. Among the new-corners were Putnam Robbins, David Hughart, E. P. Cole, Hazard Sheffield, Allan B. James, Peter Ritter, G. W. Patton, the Baum brothers, George Z. Salyer and David Oaks…..

1837 Miscellaneous

Charles Blanchard and Weston Arthur Goodspeed, Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical (Chicago : F. A. Battey, 1882), 50 (History of Porter County); digital images. Hathi Trust.
Page 50
HISTORY OF PORTER COUNTY.
By Hubert S. Skinner

In January, 1837, it was ordered by the Board that the following persons should serve as Grand Jurors at the April term, 1837, of the Porter County Circuit Court: Wilford Parrott, Robert Wallace, John Say- br, Eli Hendricks, George Spurlock, Joseph Willey, John P. Noble, Edmund Billings, White B. Smith, David Hughart, Henry Adams, John Sefford, G. Z. Salyer, Abraham A. Hall, John Adams, John G. Forbes, Sr., William Walker and William Bissell. The following persons were selected to serve at the same time as Petit Jurors: Thomas L. Hyatt, John B. Turner, Enos Thomas, Jacob Beech, James Laughlin, A. K. Paine, Robert Fleming, William Morgan, Newton Frame, Henry Rinker, George Shigley, Jefferson Tenor, Abraham Cormack, Benjamin Saylor, Sr., Isaac Cornell, Lewis Holton, Barzilla Bunnefi, William Malone, P. 
A. Paine, Henry Herrold, Luther Jefferson, James Baum, William Eaton and Barrack Dorr.

Morgan Township

Charles Blanchard and Weston Arthur Goodspeed, Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical (Chicago : F. A. Battey, 1882), 185 (Morgan Township); digital images, Hathi Trust.
Page 185
MORGAN TOWNSHIP. 
CHAPTER VIII. By G. A. Garard
MORGAN TOWNSHIP—LIST OF FIRST AND EARLY SETTLERS—GAME—INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES—A TRADITION—EARLY ELECTIONS—AN OLD TOWN—MANUFACTURES—CHURCHES—SCHOOLS—CEMETERY—FIRST BURIAL1ETEFmsT 
BURIAL—RESUME
MORGAN TOWNSHIP derives its name from Morgan Prairie, which was named for Isaac Morgan, who was one of the first settlers upon this beautiful plain, in what is now Washington Township.
List of First and Early Settlers.—The following is a list of the first and early settlers so far as obtainable: Joseph Bartholomew, 1834; Henry Adams and family, 1834; Benjamin Spencer and family, 1834; John Baum. 1835; George Shultz, Jacob Shultz and John Shultz, in 1834; N. S. Fairchild, Archie De Munn and Charles Allen, in 1835; Josiah Allen and Josiah Allen’s wife, in 1835. Among the first were Rinier Blachley, Charles DeWoIf, Morris Witham, William Billings, Mr. Kinsey, Thomas Wilkins, Mr. Dillingham, John Berry, and William Minton, an Indian trader. Lewis Corner and family came in 1835; Thomas Adams and family came (luring the spring of 1835. Among those who came early are Samuel Van Dalsen, Abraham Van Dalsen, Lyman Adkins, Elisha Adkins, Mr. Stoner, Enoch Billings, Elias Cain, John E. Harris, Ezra Wilcox, Eason Wilcox and Hank Blanchard. John G. Keller came in 1837; Enos Arnold in 1840; William Unrugh in 1842, and William Benton in 1838. Henry S. Adams, of Jefferson County, Ohio, came to this region on the 27th of April, 1833, and in May erected a cabin and laid a claim of 160 acres on Section 9, Township 34, Range 5. He brought with him his wife, mother and three daughters. His was the first house erected in the township. In 1835, G. W. Patten, of Ohio, settled here. Miller Parker came among the very first, but stopped for a time in Pleasant Township. John and Stephen Bartholomew came in 1834. but settled in Pleasant, where they lived for a time before they moved to Morgan.

Morgan Township originated in August, 1843, when it was set apart from Pleasant. The eastern part of it was formerly Essex Township, which was formed in February, 1850, and named in honor of the ship commanded by Commodore Porter, the man for whom the county was named.

Morgan Township, Churches

Charles Blanchard and Weston Arthur Goodspeed, Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical (Chicago : F. A. Battey, 1882), 189 (Morgan Township); digital images, Hathi Trust.
Page 189
MORGAN TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER VIII. 
BY G. A. GARARD.


Churches.—The first religious services were held by Stephen Jones at the house of Thomas Adams. Rev. Colklasier was the second one to conduct religious services in the township. The third was Rev. buy Baxter Beers. […]

The Christians have a church near the center of the township. This society was organized in June, 1840, being the first society of the Christians in the county. The church, which is built of brick, cost about $2,000. The principal contributors to the building fund were H. S. Adams, Lewis Corner, Aaron Stoner, Enoch Baum, G. W. Patton, Elias Cain. Many others contributed sums according to their means. Among the very first members were, Lewis Corner and wife, H. S. Adams and wife, Thomas Adams and Mrs. Baum. Among the other early members were George W. Turner and wife, Joseph McConnel and wife, Elias Cain and Mrs. Elizabeth Stoner. Lewis Corner was this first Elder, and H. S. Adams the first Deacon. The present officers are, G. W. Patton, N. S. Fairchild, and Jacob Stoner, Elders; William Cain and Russell Stoner, Deacons. The present membership is 125. Rev. Lemuel Shortage now preaches occasionally. […]

Morgan Township, Schools

Charles Blanchard and Weston Arthur Goodspeed, Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical (Chicago : F. A. Battey, 1882), 190-191 (Morgan Township); digital images, Hathi Trust.
Page 190 - 191
MORGAN TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER VIII. 
BY G. A. GARARD.
Schools.—There is a difference of opinion as to where the first school of the township was taught, but the evidence indicates that it was on Morgan Prairie, near where Jesse Baum now lives. The house was, of course, a log one. In size, it was about 12x14 feet. The first teacher was Miss Orilla Stoddard, a sister of William Stoddard, now Mrs. Jackson Buel, of Valparaiso, who taught here for a number of terms. The first term was taught in or near the year 1834. This, like the other early schools, was supported by subscription. The following are some of the patrons of the first school: Morris Witham, William Billings, John Keller, Henry Adams and R. Blatsley. The location of this school was changed after a few years to the Enoch Baum farm, where a frame building was erected. This was used for some years, when a house was built on the present site. The second schoolhouse was built about two miles south of the north line of the township, and near the center from east to west. This house was a log cabin, built in 1838 or 1839. The third house was built on the old Spencer farm, about half a mile north of Tassinong, in 1834 or 1835. This was a log house, about 18x20 feet. Among the early teachers here were Orilla Stoddard, Mr. Cannaday, Eggleston Smith, David White, Oliver Stoddard, Miss Jones, Miss Hoadley, Christopher Clines, Mr. Bloomfield and Miss Webster. The fourth schoolhouse was built in the White settlement about thirty-five years ago. This was a small frame, being the first frame schoolhouse of the township. The present house here is a 1ne brick, built in 1878, at a cost of $1,000. District No. 2 now has its third house, a brick, built about fifteen years ago, at a cost of $1,200. District No. 3 has its second house, built about ten years ago, at a cost of $800. No. 5 has its second house, a brick, built about nine years ago, at a cost of $800. The first house here was a frame. District No. 6 has its first house still standing; it is a frame, probably thirty years old, and has been repaired many times. It cost about $500. The other three houses are frame. The Stoddard or Tassinong Schoolhouse was built in 1868. Ida Freer taught here during the winter of 1881—82, and the spring of 1882. Some of the teachers before Miss Freer, in about the following order, are: William Harris, Anna Bray, Mr. Hazelett, the Misses Baum, Miss Cary, Mr. Elliot, William Stoddard, Ruth Marshall, Belle Stephens and William Bartholomew. In the old frame house, Emma Hammond, Alvin Bartholomew, Mr. Hutchinson and Mr. Bloomfield taught. David White and Eggleston Smith were among the first who taught in the old log house. The second house, a frame, was painted red, and stood about one-fourth of a mile south of the present site. The following is a list of the teachers for the years indicated: 1880, in District No 1—Priscilla Flake, Myra Hunter and Sylvester Dill; No 2—Irena Baum and A. Knott; No. 3—Ida Freer and 0. C. Tarpenning; No. 4—Mary Evans, Viola Williams and J. H. Platt; No. 5—W. J. Harris; No. 6—M. F. Bennett and Stuart Mackibbin; No. 7—Carrie A. Ray; No. 8—Alice Sanborn; No. 9—Ida Freer. For 1881, in No. 1—C. B. Diltz, R. B. Hubbard and Alice J. Sanborn; No. 2—Irena Baum; No. 3—Irena Baum, Myra Hunter and Eva Shepard; No. 4—Ida Freer and J. W. Smith; No. 5—Anna L. Bray and Ida Freer; No. 6—Carrie A. Ray; No. 7—Carrie A. Ray, Viola Williams and M. M. Strong; No. 8—Carrie Bond and Anna Bray; No. 9—Maud Shackelford. For 1882, up to this writing, in No. 1—Mary E. McHugh; No. 2—Sylvester N. Dill, Carrie Ray, Mary L. Nickelson and Anna Bray; No. 3—Maud Shackelford and Ida Winslow; No. 5—Ida Freer and Joseph M. Williamson; No. 6—Carrie Ray and Dora Rosecrans; No. 7—Viola Williams and Oreste Sherman; No. 8—Anna Bray, Oreste Sherman and Viola Williams; No. 9—Maud Shackelford.

Milan Cornell

Charles Blanchard and Weston Arthur Goodspeed, Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical (Chicago : F. A. Battey, 1882), 239-240 (Milan Cornell/Valpariso); digital images, Hathi Trust.
Pages 239 – 240
City of Valparaiso
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
MILAN CORNELL, farmer, was born December 13, 1827, in Crawford County, Ohio, and is one of eleven children, seven yet living born to Isaac and Priscilla (Morgan) Cornell, a sketch of whom will appear in the biography of Ira Cornell, of Porter Township. Up to 1834, Milan Cornell lived with his parents in his native county, and in that year emigrated with them to what is now Porter County, Ind., locating in the southeastern part of the same, and becoming the first white settlers of Boone Township. The parents ever afterwards made Porter County their home, and died esteemed and respected citizens. Milan Cornell received his education from the common schools of that early day, and in 1849, he and three others received an attack of California fever, which induced them to start for the far-famed gold fields of the West. They went by the way of the Isthmus of Panama, and on their arrival at Sari Francisco, our subject had only one dollar. He found employment for a short time chopping cord-wood, at the rate of about $16 per day, after which he engaged in mining near Sonora, and the most part of his stay there was in the southern part of the State. He participated in many of the hardships, etc., of a miner’s life, including fights with Indians, Mexicans and cut-throats of various kinds. In 1853, he returned to Indiana, and commenced farming and dealing in stock, at which he has ever since continued, with the exception of about three years, while in the hardware trade at Valparaiso. February 28, 1854, he was united in marriage with Miss Cordelia Freeman, who was born in Onandago County, N. Y., February 22, 1834, and is a daughter of Azariah Freeman, appropriate mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume. To this marriage were born two children—Genevieve, now Mrs. S. C. Williams, and Kate, the wife of Marion Baum. Mr. Cornell is a Democrat, a member of the I. O. O. F., and the O. F. Encampment. He and wife moved to Valparaiso the spring of 1882, and are among the best citizens of the place. They own, besides good town property, a valuable farm of 160 acres in Liberty Township.

R. W. Jones

Charles Blanchard and Weston Arthur Goodspeed, Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical (Chicago : F. A. Battey, 1882), 239-240 (R. W. Jones/Valpariso); digital images, Hathi Trust.
Page 252
City of Valparaiso
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
R. W. JONES was born in Fayette County, Penn., July 16, 1816; is one of the eleven children of Richard and Margaret (Forsyth) Jones, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania. The mother died in about 1830, and in 1853 the father came to this county, where his son, R. W., was living, and here died the following fall. R. W. Jones, when six years of age, was taken by his parents to Wayne County, Ohio, where he received a common-school education, and where he was married, April 19, 1840, to Orilla Aylsworth. Shortly after this event, he came to Boone Township, this county, farmed for seven years, and then came to Valparaiso, engaged in various pursuits, and now is dealing in agricultural irnplements. He is a Democrat, but was formerly a Whig, and by the latter party, in 1850, was elected and re-elected Sheriff, serving four years; he has also served two terms as Justice of the Peace. He has had born to him six children, viz., Mary, who died when ten years old; Emeline, widow of Elias Schenck; Ervin D., who married Mary Baum; Samantha, now Mrs. J. B. Luddington; Florence, who died when about twenty-four years old; and Frank H., who married Alice Williams, and is in partnership with his brother, Ervin D., in the livery business. Mr. Jones is the owner of some good town property, besides over two hundred acres in Porter County, all gained by his business tact and good management. Mrs. Jones is a member of the Presbyterian Church. 


James Baum

Charles Blanchard and Weston Arthur Goodspeed, Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical (Chicago : F. A. Battey, 1882), 328-329 (James Baum/Washington Township); digital images, Hathi Trust.
Pages 328 - 329
Washington Township
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

 JAMES BAUM, one of the pioneers of Porter County, was born in Crawford County, Penn., February 4, 1799, and is a son of John and Catherine (Randolph) Baum. His mother died when he was an infant, and he was reared by his grandmother. His father remarried, and he resided with him until his majority; his father had been an Indian spy during the war of 1812. Our subject also served as a wagoner in that war. He moved with his parents to Stark County, Ohio in 1814, and he heard the roar of Perry’s battle in that year on Lake Erie. His father subsequently removed from Stark County, Ohio, to St. Joseph County, Mich., where he died.
Our subject removed from Stark County to Richland County in 1823, residing there until 1835, when he came to Porter County. His land was purchased at the land sales of 1835, he now having 310 acres of excellent soil. He was married, in Stark County, to Rebecca Miller, of Huntingdon County, Penn., a daughter of Peter Miller. Mr. and Mrs. Baum have had nine children—John, Jesse, Peter M., Enoch; Lavina, deceased; Lucinda, wife of J. Bushore, of Iowa; James W.: Rebecca J., wife of William Wickell, [sic.] of Kansas; and Sarah J., deceased. His children are all married, his eldest son having been in California and Oregon for thirty-five years. In politics, Mr. Baum is a stanch Democrat, his first vote having been cast for Gen. Jackson in 1824. Mrs. Baum is a member of the Christian Church.

James W. Baum

Charles Blanchard and Weston Arthur Goodspeed, Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical (Chicago : F. A. Battey, 1882), 329 (James W. Baum/Washington Township); digital images, Hathi Trust.
Page 329
Washington Township
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
JAMES W. BAUM is a son of James and Rebecca (Miller) Baum, and was born in Porter County, Ind., September 21, 1837. Mr. Baum lived with his parents until after his majority, receiving the usual school education of the time. His business has been farming, and that alone, since boyhood, he not having learned any trade. On September 21, 1864, he was married to Marian Axe, a daughter of Jacob and Agnes C. (Cornell) Axe. She was born November 16, 1842; her parents were early settlers, taking up a home near the city of Valparaiso, in 1836, where they resided until her father’s death; her mother is now living in Delaware County, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Baum have had a family of seven children, four of whom are living—Fannie, Allen, Ross and Lollie. Mr. Baum has an attractive and valuable farm comprising forty acres of land. He is a Democrat, but liberal in his political views, and generally esteemed.

Jesse Baum

Charles Blanchard and Weston Arthur Goodspeed, Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical (Chicago : F. A. Battey, 1882), 347-348 (Jesse Baum/Morgan Township); digital images. Hathi Trust.
Page 347 - 348
Morgan Township
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
JESSE BAUM was born in Richland County, Ohio, and is one of the nine children of James and Rebecca Baum, the former a native of Pennsylvania, born February 4, 1799, and the latter also a native of Pennsylvania, born January 10, 1803. They both came to Ohio at an early day, where they were married August 8, 1822; they first settled in Richland County, but in 1834 removed to Porter County, where they still live. Jesse Baum remained with his parents until he reached manhood. In 1850, he went to Calaveras County, Cal., where he engaged in mining, and remained five years. Returning to Porter County, Ind., he was married, August 23, 1857, to Catherine Bundy, born in Elkhart County, Ind., August 25, 1834, by whom he has nine children—Myron, Noella, Lora, James, Villera, Leroy, Clarence, Nettie and Walter. Mrs. Baum died December 13, 1880. Soon after his marriage, he moved on the farm on which he still lives, in Section 18; he is the owner of 300 acres of excellent land. 


John Baum

Charles Blanchard and Weston Arthur Goodspeed, Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical (Chicago : F. A. Battey, 1882), 348 (John Baum/Morgan Township); digital images. Hathi Trust.
Page 348
Morgan Township
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
JOHN BAUM was born in Crawford County, Penn., January 20, 1810; he was brought by his parents to Stark County, Ohio, and thence to St. Joseph County, Mich., where, on the 15th of August, 1835, he was married to Myrum Gallgher, [sic] a native of Culpeper County, Va., where she was born January 1, 1814. This union was blessed with five children— Christopher C. (deceased), Americus (deceased), Napoleon, Tennessee M. and Niles L. Shortly after his marriage, he moved to Porter County, Ind., and settled in Morgan Township, Section 4, on the farm on which he now lives; he is one of the pioneers of this county, and has made many improvements since coming here, having built the first schoolhouse erected in the township; he came here as a poor boy, but now ownes [sic] 426 acres of land, all through the exercise of industry and the practice of economy. 


Silas Baum

Charles Blanchard and Weston Arthur Goodspeed, Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical (Chicago : F. A. Battey, 1882), 348 (Silas Baum/Morgan Township); digital images. Hathi Trust.
Page 348
Morgan Township
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
SILAS BAUM was born in Stark County, Ohio, April 18, 1814. In St. Joseph County, Mich., on July 11, 1839, he was married to Hannah Williamson, who was born in Pennsylvania May 5, 1821. To this union a family of five children succeeded—Mary J., Lucretia E., Laura G. (deceased), Francis M. (deceased) and Genevia M. Shortly after his marriage he moved to Cass County, Mich., where, having purchased property, he remained until 1857. He then sold out and moved to Porter County, md., where he purchased and settled on a farm in Morgan Township, Section 33, where he remained two years; this he sold, and purchased the farm on which he now lives, comprising 180 acres of good land. 


Stephen Selman

Charles Blanchard and Weston Arthur Goodspeed, Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical (Chicago : F. A. Battey, 1882), 352 (Stephen Selman/Morgan Township); digital images. Hathi Trust.
Page 352
Morgan Township
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
STEPHEN SELMAN was born in Germany September 26, 1840, one of a family of eight children, of whom there were four sons, namely, Martin, Stephen, John and August. His parents’ names were John and Louisa; they were natives of Germany, where they were married and remained until after the mother’s death. The father was again married, and in 1855 moved to Michigan City, Ind., where he now lives, and has his fourth wife. In 1857, our subject left home, and came to Porter County, Ind., and July 26, 1861, enlisted in Company I, Twentieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving four years and six months, and during that time was at the front in several hard battles. He came home on a leave of absence, and was married March 29, 1864, to Tennessee Baum, who was born in Porter County, August 6, 1840, a daughter of John Baum, the old pioneer of Morgan Township. After our subject’s return from the war, he moved on the farm where he now lives. He owns 170 acres, and is the father of one son, William F.

Miller Baum

Charles Blanchard and Weston Arthur Goodspeed, Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical (Chicago : F. A. Battey, 1882), 356 (Miller Baum/Jackson Township); digital images. https://hdl.handle.net/2027/coo1.ark:/13960/t7cr6dk2j?urlappend=%3Bseq=358 Hathi Trust].
Page 356
Jackson Township
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
MILLER BAUM, son of James and Rebecca (Miller) Baum, was born in Richland County, Ohio, November 12, 1827. (A sketch of his parents appears in the biographical department of Washington Township.) Owing to the limited advantages for education in that day, he received but a moderate share of learning. In 1835, he came to this county with his parents, who settled on Morgan Prairie, and remained with them until he was past his majority. On June 29, 1852, he was married to Caroline Billings, born in Fayette County, Ind., February 11, 1832, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Hammer) Billings, who came to Fayette County, lad., at an early day, and to this county in 1834; her father died in 1853, but her mother is living in Carroll County, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. Baum have six children—Alice, wife of William Wood; Marion, Laura, Josephine, Melinda and John. Mr. Baum has followed farming from boyhood, and now has 340 acres, with good improvements. In February, 1877, his house was destroyed by fire, which he replaced by a brick—one of the finest in the township. In politics, he is a liberal Republican.



Pictorial ... La Porte ... Lake and Starke

Mrs. Miller Baum

Pictorial and biographical record of La Porte, Porter, Lake and Starke counties, Indiana, containing biographical and genealogical records ... (Chicago, Goodspeed bros., 1894), 232-233 (Mrs. Miller Baum); digital images, InternetArchive.
MRS. MILLER BAUM.
This estimable lady has been a resident of Porter County for the greater part of her life, and is the wife of Miller Baum, who was born in Richland County, Ohio, in 1827, a son of James and Rebecca (Miller) Baum. James Baum went to Richland County, Indiana, from Pennsylvania, and located twelve miles north of Mansfield, near a small place called Rome. Here he bought a tract of timber land and put up a small house and barn and made his home for twelve years. From there he came to Morgan Prairie, where he made a purchase of 260 acres of land, on which a log cabin had been erected, and twenty acres cleared. Both parents died on this place, the father April 6, 1884, and the mother in 1889 at the age of eighty-four years. In the Miller family there were three brothers, two sisters and two half brothers, all of whom are now deceased with the exception of Mrs. Polly Coblen. Miller Baum was but seven years of age at the time of his parents' removal to this section, and was one of a family of nine children whose names are as follows:
John, who is an extensive farmer of California, is married and the father of seven children: Jesse lives south of Valparaiso, has been married twice, and is the father of eleven children ; Enoch is a farmer of Kansas, is married, and has seven children ; Lovina ( Mrs. William Weeks) is deceased; Lucinda (Mrs. Joseph Bushaw) is a resident of Boone County, Iowa, and had nine children; James W. lives on the old home farm, is married, and had seven children, four of whom are living; Rebecca (Mrs. William Nickel) lives in Kansas and has seven children, and Sarah (Mrs. Simon Drago, deceased) had five children. Miller Baum was married to Caroline Billings, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Hammer) Billings, in 1852. The Billings family removed to Porter County, Indiana, about a year before the Baum family, and Mr. Bil- lings followed the occupation of farming, but taught the first school ever held in Morgan Township. In his family there were six children, Mary Caroline, Simon Hobson, Lydia Ann, Enoch, John, Caroline, the last mentioned and Lydia Ann being the only survivors. Mr. and Mrs. Baum have been blessed in the birth of nine children: Johanna, who died in infancy; Alice, who married William Wood in 1872, and lives on a farm adjoining the old home, has five sons and two daughters; Marion married to Katy Correll, had two children by her, and after her death married Annie Smith, by whom he had one son. The father died in 1888. Randolph died in 1879. Laura married Mr. Alsfesser, bore her husband one child, and died in 1893. Josephine married Benjamin Elliot, conductor on the Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad; lives at Fort Wayne and has three children: Minnie, wife of John Alsfesser, had one child and died in 1889, and John, who died in 1892 at the age of twenty-two years. The Baums have now lived in their present home for twenty-six years. At the time of their purchase the land was heavily covered with tim- ber, but this they cleared and improved by building one of the best brick country residences in the county. On the farm are four good barns, besides other necessary farm buildings, and, in addition, perhaps the finest horse barn in the county. The main part of the residence is 30x30 feet, with a wing 26x30 feet, and additions of kitchen, wash-house, etc. The farm in all respects is one of the best appointed in this section of the country, and is tlie- result of the unaided efforts of this worthy couple. Their children have all left the "home nest," but they have under their care two little grandchildren whom they are rearing. Their fine farm of 255 acres keeps them in affluence, and they are thoroughly enjoying a serene old age. Mr. Baum is a Republican and is a well-informed man on all subjects of interest.

Mrs. Elizabeth Parshal

Pictorial and biographical record of La Porte, Porter, Lake and Starke counties, Indiana, containing biographical and genealogical records ... (Chicago, Goodspeed bros., 1894), 237-238 (Mrs. Elizabeth B. Parshal}; digital images, InternetArchive.
MRS. ELIZABETH B. PARSHAL.
This worthy woman has been a resident of Porter County, Indiana, for half a century, and although she has attained the age of seventy-two years she is still in the enjoyment of fair health, is very intelligent and retains her mental faculties to a remarkable degree. She is possessed of more than ordinary executive ability, and has ever been interested in the welfare of her section and noted for her kindness of heart and numerous noble impulses. She was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, and resided there for two years thereafter when she was taken by her parents, James and Maria (Kauffman) Bundy, to Fayette County, Indiana, where she lived until she was ten years old, then moved with them to Elkhart County, Indiana, coming to Porter County about 184:4, and in 1845 to the farm of sixty-four acres where she now lives. Her parents were married in 1820 and she was one of the fifteen children born to them: Elizabeth (Mrs. Parshal), Sarah (single), Susan (Huritz), James, Julia Ann (Johnson), Phoebe (Cross), Maria (Billings), William, Catherine (Baum), Daniel, Rebecca (Keeler), Mariuda (Davison), George, and two children that died in infancy. All the living members of this family reside on farms and are honest, industrious and law abiding people. The paternal grandfather Bundy came from New England and his wife from New Jersey and they were for a number of years residents of Pennsylvania, but after the grandfather's death, his widow and one of her sons removed to Illinois, where she made her home until her death. In 1844 Miss Elizabeth Bundy was united in marriage with George L. Parshal and moved at once into her present home from the farm owned then by her father but which is now the property of Thomas Wilson. Mr. Parshal's father and mother were born and reared in Seneca County, New York, aud there spent their last days. Their family consisted of three sons and two daughters, one daughter being now a resident of Racine, AVisconsin. In 1842 Georg L. Parshal came to Elkhart County, Indiana, where he taught school for two years, then came to Porter County and for a number of years thereafter followed the same oc- cupation. He then tilled the soil up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1880. To this happy union three children were born : George Halsey, who died at the age of two and a half years, James, who died at the age of twenty- one, and Abby, who married Ed Crumpacker, and died at the age of twenty-two years. Mrs. Parshal has a remarkably clear recollection of her past history and she well remembers the time when Indians were numerous throuffbout this sec- tion and she says that they were friendly and peaceable. In the pioneer days of the State snakes were very numerous of the rattle aud black racer species, and she recalls killing a large rattle snake by pouring boiling water upon it. They would harbor under the house and would enter the rooms if a window or door were left open. She is now spending her old age in peace and comfort and can look back over life without regret and forward to a bright future when it comes her turn to pass "over the river."

Rev. Lewis Comer

Pictorial and biographical record of La Porte, Porter, Lake and Starke counties, Indiana, containing biographical and genealogical records ... (Chicago, Goodspeed bros., 1894), 369-371 (Rev. Lewis Comer); digital images, InternetArchive.
REV. LEWIS COMER.
The influence of a great and good man will be ever expanding with the lapse of time, and his deeds of charity and acts of love will live to commemorate his name and perpetuate his memory. Probably no man was better known in North Indiana, because of his religious and charitable character, than Rev. Lewis Comer, and no man was more highly esteemed. He was born in that grand old mother of States, Virginia, December 25, 1798, and in his boyhood removed with his parents to Pennsylvania, where he grew to mature years on a farm. From early youth he had been of a religious turn, an earnest and arduous student of the Bible, and when twenty-three years of age he began preaching, having united with the Christian Church, and been baptized when thirteen years of age. After this he traveled all over Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Ohio, going on foot and preaching the gospel, and against slavery. At one time he traveled over thirty miles before breakfast, and then had to wait until they ground corn and churned. He had made an appointment to preach, but on arriving, he found that his clothes were so ragged that he was obliged to go to bed until they were mended. For some time he lived in Ohio and Michigan, and on the 19th of April, 1837, he came through from Michigan in a wagon, and located on Morgan prairie, Porter County. At the land sale during the fall of 1837 he bought 106 acres of land, on which was a little log cabin with earth floor, and he and family took possession. His first duty after arriving in this new country was to preach the funeral of a Mr. Agnew who froze to death, and the sermon was preached in the little log cabin. The same year (1837) Mr. Comer began organizing a little baud of Christians, consisting of five members, and his first sermon was preached in a school house. Only two of these members are now living, Mrs. Comer and Mrs. Adams. Our subject built up a large organization, and assisted in erecting a nice church there before his death. He was the first minister to come to Northern Indiana, and preached the first funeral and organized the first church in Porter County. He was noted for his charity, the traveler was ever welcome at his door, and he never took a cent for accommodations. When Mr. Comer first settled in Porter County, the country was wild and unsettled, and thickly populated with Indians and wild animals. He assisted in building churches and in paying preachers all over the county, and never would accept any compensation for his services. His death occurred January 21, 1876, and it could be truly said that a great and good man was gathered to his fathers; but his virtues live after him, and his reputation, sustained under the conflict of a long career of extraordinary activity, bears no blemish, and his name is everywhere mentioned with respect and honor. He was married May 3, 1830, to Miss Catherine Baum, a native of Pennsylvania, who is still living. She is now eighty-seven years of age, is very active, and finds a comfortable home with her daughter in Valpairaiso. She is the mother of three sons and three daughters: Rebecca, deceased; Samuel, died in the hospital at Louisville, Kentucky, while serving in the Civil War; Josephus, of Kansas; Henrietta, wife of Jacob Fisher of Porter County, and Cytheria, wife of Heber Stoddard (see sketch). This is one of the oldest families in Porter County, as well as one of the most respected. For many years Mr. Comer preached all the funerals and performed all the marriages in the county. At one time Mr. Comer was called upon to preach at a point across the Kankakee river and left home without money, expecting to get enough to pay his ferry-boat fee, but he was not offered any money, and the owner of the ferry-boat sued him for seventy-five cents, his fare across.

John Maxwell

Pictorial and biographical record of La Porte, Porter, Lake and Starke counties, Indiana, containing biographical and genealogical records ... (Chicago, Goodspeed bros., 1894), 520-521 (John Maxell); digital images, InternetArchive.
JOHN MAXWELL
Among the old soldiers and reliable farmers of Porter County, Indiana stands the name of John Maxwell who is everj'where respected for his sterling worth. He was born in Kingston, Canada, in 1830, to the union of John and Uorinda (Morrison) Maxwell (see sketch of George Maxwell), and was but five years of age when he came with his parents to Porter County, Indiana. He grew to sturdy manhood amid the rude surroundings of pioneer life, attended the primitive log school house of those days, and when old enough to choose his occupation in life, very naturally selected agricultural pursuits. In August, 1862 he enlisted at Val[)araiso, Indiana, in Company I, Seventy-third Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, as a private and was in active duty until honorably discharged July 2, 1865. Diaring that time he was promoted to the rank of cor- poral and afterward sergeant. His first fight was at Perryville, then Stone River and his regiment was camped at Nashville when Hood made his raid. Later his regiment was detailed with other regiments to go with Col. Streight on his famous raid, and started out on foot. They were armed but were obliged to secure their own horses. Mr. Maxwell became the possessor of a mule and not liking this he went with a squad of soldiers to a cotton plantation where he found a tine horse. After this his regiment was in many skirmishes and at Hall Gap a severe fight occurred, his command surrendering a few miles from Rome, Georgia. Mr. Maxwell was taken as a prisoner and held at Rome, Georgia, a few days after which they wei-e sent to Atlanta, Georgia, thence to Libb)' Prison where he was confined two months. While there his rations were about two spoonsful of black beans, a little hard-tack and water, three times a day. The last few days of his prison life a small piece of mule meat was given him. There was a good bakery in the prison and negro waiters would frequently pass through the prison, near the half-starved-to-death pris- ners, with good, hot, white bread, but not any of it did they get. A Union soldier from Tennessee, who was nearly starved, told Mr. Maxwell that he could not stand it to see the bread pass through and would take some the first opportunity. He was warned if he did that his punishment would be worse than starvation. The next day four negroes carrying bread stopped near a group of hungry prisoners and the soldier siezed a small piece. He was im- mediately pounced upon by two guards, who bucked aud gagged him, and thrust a bayonet into his moutii back of the gag, cutting his mouth severely. They then crossed his thumbs and tied him up by them until his toes just touched the ground. Here he hung for half a day, being released at inter- vals of an hour so as not to kill him outright. His thumbs, hands aud wrists grew black and he bled freely at the mouth. His agony was intense but he could not utter a word or moan of pain. When he could endure the toiture no longer he was released and allowed to go. He finally recovered. Mr. Maxwell remained in Libby during the months of May and June and was finallj" paroled and exchanged at Annapolis, Maryland. From there he went to Indianapolis, Indiana and received a thirty days' furlough, after which he rejoined his regiment and for three mouths guarded a bridge at Larkinsville, Alabama. After that he guarded Hurricane Bridge for some time, then for one year was at Huutsville and Decatur and was then sent to Nashville, Ten- nessee. Later he returned home, and remained with his mother on the farm until her death. In January, 1889 he married Miss Lucretia E. Baum, daugh- ter of Silas and Hannah ( Weltmore) Baum. Mr. Baum was born in Richland County, , and it was of German descent. He was married in Michi- gan and five children were the result of this union: Mary J., Lucretia E., Laura J., Francis M. and Geneva M. Mr. Baum settled in Morgan in 1851 and became a wealthy farmer, owning 500 acres of land. He was a hard- working, industrious citizen, and a soldier in the early Indian wars. In poli- tics he is a Eepublican aud lie and wife were members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Mr. Baum died August 5, 1886 but his widow is still living and makes her home on the old farm. Our subject has ever aflSliated with the Republican party and is an industrious, liard-working citizen.

History of Porter County

1864

History of Porter County, Indiana ... 2 vols., paginated continuously (Chicago. Lewis Pub. Co.. 1912), 2:609-613 (Stephen C. Selman) at 612; digital images, Hathi Trust.
"... On the 31st of March, 1864, while home on a furlough, Mr. Selman was united in marriage to Miss Tennessee Markham Baum, and they have one son, Frank William, who remains at the parental home and who is a skilled machinist by trade. He was employed for some time at Garrett, Indiana, and is now associated with his father in the work and management of the home farm. His first presidential vote was cast for James G. Blaine and he has ever since remained loyal to the cause of the Republican party. Mrs. Selman is a native daughter of Porter county and a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of this section of the state. She was born in Morgan township, on the 25th of August, 1842, and was the fourth in order of birth of the four sons and one daughter of John and Miriam Queen (Gallagher) Baum. The only other survivor of these children is Niles Lafayette Baum, a resident of Valparaiso, this county. John Baum was born in Pennsyl- vania, where his family was founded in an early day, the lineage being traced back to staunch French origin and the original orthography of the name having been LaBaum. After his removal from the old Keystone state to Ohio John Baum omitted the prefix from his surname and in Ohio and Indiana the present form of Baum has been retained. He served in the Seminole Indian war in Florida and in 1835 he came from Ohio to Porter county, Indiana, where the Pottawatomie Indians were still much in evidence and when this section was little more than a wilderness. He purchased one hundred and eighty acres of timbered land, erected his primitive log house and began the herculean task of reclaiming a farm. In this little log house Mrs. Selman was born and she recalls in pleasing reminiscences its elemental accommodations and facilities, including the ladder of pegs on which the members of the family ascended to the loft, which provided sleeping quarters. Her educational advantages were those afforded in the subscription schools of the pioneer days and her memory is a veritable store-house of information concerning the development and upbuilding of this now opulent section of the old Hoosier state. Her parents continued to reside in Porter county until their death and her father was a Jeffersonian Democrat in his political proclivities, her mother having been a devout member of the Presbyterian church. For several years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Selman lived on rented land, and finally, by industry and good management, they were enabled to purchase one hundred and sixty acres, in Morgan township ..."

John Maxwell

History of Porter County, Indiana ... 2 vols., paginated continuously (Chicago. Lewis Pub. Co.. 1912), 2:557-558 (John Maxwell); digital images, Hathi Trust.
"... Born in Morgan township, Porter county, Indiana, on the 12th of August, 1865, John Maxwell is the second in order of birth of four sons and five daughters of Arthur and Mary J. (Baum) Maxwell, and is the eldest of the six now living ..."

Mr. Smith and Eva Baum

History of Porter County, Indiana ... 2 vols., paginated continuously (Chicago. Lewis Pub. Co.. 1912), 2:561-562 (Benjamin F. Smith); digital images, Hathi Trust.
"... At Port Orange, Florida, on April 16, 1895, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss Eva Baum. Mrs. Smith was born in Porter county, Indiana, on August 8, 1871, and is the only living child of Niles and Louise (Rosebaum) Baum, now retired residents of Valparaiso. Mr. Baum was for many years a prominent farmer in Morgan township. Mrs. Smith was educated in the Valparaiso schools and graduated from them in the same class of which Arthur Hugart, city superintendent of the Valparaiso schools, was a member. She is also a graduate of the musical department of the University of Valparaiso. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of the Woman's Club and of the Order of the Eastern Star, Lodge No. 164, at Valparaiso, and her talent and culture make her a valued member of the social circles of Valparaiso. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have two children: Niles Baum, now a pupil in the Valparaiso high school, and Louise A., a pupil in the eighth grade ..."

Lewis Comer

History of Porter County, Indiana ... 2 vols., paginated continuously (Chicago. Lewis Pub. Co.. 1912), 2:824-827 (Lewis Comer); digital images, Hathi Trust.

"...Lewis Comer was born in Virginia, on Christmas day, 1799, and of his parentage, early education and boy life but little is known. In 1830 the young man married Catherine Baum at White Pigeon Creek, Michigan, and in the next year they went to Belmont, Ohio, in which place their first child was born. Seven months later they returned through the forest on horseback to Michigan, and it was on April 19, 1835, that the young couple came to Porter county, Indiana, and settled in Morgan Prairie, where they purchased a farm from London Rose Cabell, a part of which place is yet in the possession of the family, and owned by Mr. Comer's daughter, Mrs. Jacob Fisher. At that early date Porter county was practically a wilderness ... The faithful wife, who was frequently left alone at home with the children to care for the farm while her husband went bravely forth to win the people to his beloved cause, has often spoken to friends of their early married life. ... Mrs. Comer related an interesting incident of their young married life, which is suffi- ciently unusual to merit a place in this record. It was while they were traveling from Ohio back to Michigan, and they made the trip on horse- back, the usual mode of travel in those days, and Mrs. Comer carried their seven months old daughter, Rebecca, in her arms. While crossing the Great Black Swamp near Sandusky they camped for the night tethering one horse and permitting the other to graze nearby. During the night the tethered horse broke loose and the pair started back over the trail to Ohio. Mr. Comer wakened suddenly to find the horses gone, and without awakening his wife started out to bring them back. Later in the night Mrs. Comer roused up, only to find herself alone in the swamp with her infant child, husband and horses alike missing. She called out, but the hoot of an owl was the only response. Dismayed she may have been, but frightened not at all. She waited calmly enough and towards sunrise Mr. Comer returned, but without the horses. There remained nothing to be done but resume the journey on foot, which they did, after bending down some young saplings and tying their saddle bags and luggage to the tops of the trees and permitting them to spring back where they would be out of the way of wild animals or other unfriendly travelers, and they had gone but a short distance when their ears were greeted by the crowing of a lordly Chanticleer. Mrs. Comer averred that she never heard sweeter music in her life, nor ever cared to, for that welcome sound betrayed the presence of a human habitation. So indeed it proved, and they were gladly welcomed by the friendly settlers, one of the men of the household going with Mr. Comer in search of their run- away steeds, while Mrs. Comer and her little daughter were made wel- come in the home of their host. Three days later their horses were re- stored to them by some friendly Indians, who had come upon them in the swamp, well on their way back to the haunts of civilization. Mr. and Mrs. Comer were the parents of six children. The first born was Rebecca, and the others were Josephus, Samuel, Henrietta, William Henry and Scytheria. The six children, all of whom are now dead with the exception of Henrietta Fisher, married as follows: Rebecca, mar- ried Caleb Luther and went to California to live, where she afterward died in 1863. Samuel married Nancy Bryarly in 1860. He later went to the war and died in a hospital at Louisville. Josephus married Har- riet Marine and is deceased. Henrietta married Jacob Fisher in 1866 William Henry married Alice King and died in 1872. Scytheria mar- ried Heber Stoddard in 1877, and she died in 1894. Mr. Comer closed his earthly career on January 21, 1876, when death called him from his loved task at the age of seventy-seven years ...

Arthur Bowser

History of Porter County, Indiana ... 2 vols., paginated continuously (Chicago. Lewis Pub. Co.. 1912), 2:861 (Arthur J. Bowser); digital images, Hathi Trust.
"... ARTHUR J. BOWSER was born in Valparaiso, Indiana, on October 28, 1862, and is the eldest child of Lewis and Elizabeth (Noel) Bowser ... His first wife dying he married again and located in Valparaiso, founding the second fam- ily, of which Lewis Bowser was the eldest child, and the greater part of whose life was spent in that city. Seven children were born to Lewis and Elizabeth Bowser, all of whom are living at this date (September, 1912), except the second child, Charles, whose death occurred in infancy. The surviving children are Arthur J., of this sketch ; Edward L., Kansas City ; Emerson L., Gary, Indiana : Emily (Bowser) Baum, Chesterton, Indiana; Bessie (Bowser) Tobin, Argyle, Wisconsin; and Bertrand Bowser, San Francisco. Arthur J. Bowser received his education at St. Paul's Academy Valparaiso, Indiana, and the Valparaiso Public Schools, and graduated from the university of “Hard Knocks” ..."

History of Sonoma County, California

J. P. Monro-Fraser and Alley, Bowen & Co., History of Sonoma County : including its geology, topography, mountains, valleys and streams ... (San Francisco: Alley, Bowen & Co., 1880), 631 (John Baum); digital images, Hathi Trust.

Baum, John. Farmer, was born in Richland county, Ohio, August 12, 1823, where he remained till 1835, when he removed with his parents to Porter county, Indiana. Here he remained till the spring of 1847, when, with an ox-team he started across the plains to Oregon, being two hundred and twenty-two days making the journey. The stories told by Mr. Baum of his hardships on this journey are very interesting, but for want of space will have to be omitted. His first settlement in Oregon was at Salem, where he remained till September 1848, when he came to California in search of gold. He first began mining on the middle fork of the American river, where he continued two months during the Winter of 1848. Then in November, 1848, he went to Napa City, where he worked at his trade (that of carpenter). Then, in the Spring and Summer of 1849, he went to Yolo county, where he remained herding stock, and in the Spring of 1850 went into the mines again in Shasta county, where he remained a month, and then went back to Oregon; here he worked at his trade during the Summer of 1850. Mr. Baum married Miss Phoebe S. Tieters, July 20, 1851, who died on July 27, 1873. By this marriage he has Veronica M., born August 24, 1854 ; Sarah J., born June 17, 1856 ; James T., born May 15, 1858 ; Arvilla. born May 2, 1860 ; Addie, born November 13, 1863 ; Eva L., born December 29, 1866; John N, born February 16, 1869; Edgar C, born Janu- ary 1, 1871, and one daughter, Clara L, born July 11, 1862, and died in 1863.

The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft

Hubert Howe Bankcroft, The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft, 39 vols. (San Francisco: A. L. Bancroft and Company, 1882-88). No further reference.

Biographical Sketches--John Baum, born in Richland County, Ohio, August 12 1823, removed with his parents to Porter Co., Ind in 1835 and came to Oregon when 24 years of age. He located at Salem but the gold discovery of 1848 drew him to Cal. Here he mined for a few months, but finding his trade of carpentering more attractive and also more profitable, he followed it for a season. In 1850 he drifted back to Oregon from the Shasta mines, and in July 1851 married Phoebe S. Tieters, who died July 1873 leaving 8 children, 3 of whom were sons, namely, James T., John N., and Edgar C.

Hubert Howe Bankcroft, The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft, 39 vols. (San Francisco: A. L. Bancroft and Company, 1882-88), 19:712 (John Baum/Pioneer Register and Index); digital images, InternetArchive.

Baum (John), 1848, overl. immig. fr. Ohio to Or. '47; and to the Cal. mines '48; returning to Or. in '50.

Sources