BAUM, WILLIAM

BAUM, PIRSSIG, HOXBY

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 5/25/2004 at 16:45:08

Biography reproduced from page 651 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Diversified farming and stock-raising engage the attention of William Baum, who owns a hundred and sixty acres of well improved and cultivated land in Lincoln township. He was born in Germany, on the 20th of November, 1873, and is a son of Ferdinand and Amelia Baum, also natives of the fatherland. The parents emigrated to America with their children in 1884, first locating in Fairbault county, Minnesota. After residing there for twelve years they came to Kossuth county, the father purchasing a farm in Hebron township, on which he is still making his home. The mother, however, is deceased, having passed away in 1905. They became the parents of four children of which our subject is the eldest. The other members of the family are as follows: Rudolph, who is a resident of Hebron township; Amelia, the wife of Gus Pirssig, also of Hebron township; and Fred. While residing in the old country the father was identified with public affairs and held various government offices, but since coming to America he has always followed farming.

The education of William Baum was begun in his native country, where he passed the first eleven years of his life, and completed in the common schools of Fairbault county. At an early age he began to qualify himself for the occupation he is now following, by assisting his father in the fields. He remained at home until he was twenty-three years of age when he began farming for himself. His place contains one hundred and sixty acres of land, which, during the period of his ownership, he has transformed into a valuable property. He has tiled and fenced his fields, erected all of the buildings and planted every tree on the property. Ambitious and enterprising, he takes great pride in his farm, which is capably operated as is evidenced by its general appearance and condition. In connection with farming he is raising graded stock, and is meeting with lucrative returns from both lines of his business.

In 1898, Mr. Baum completed his arrangements for a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Hattie Hoxby, and to them have been born five children: Elsie; Lydia; Mattie, who is deceased; Alfred; and Marvin.

The family attend the services of the Lutheran church, in which the parents hold membership. When first granted the right of franchise, Mr. Baum voted the republican ticket, but he subsequently transferred his allegiance to the democratic party. He stanchly supports their candidates at state and national elections, but locally he votes for the man he considers best qualified for the office, irrespective of party lines. He has held all of the township offices.