Bayer, C.J. 1838-1905

BAYER

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 5/17/2011 at 20:16:57

The Grinnell Herald; Dec. 1, 1905

OBITUARY.

C.J. BAYER

Mr. C.J. Bayer, who passed away last Sunday morning at his residence in this city, was sixty-seven years old, having been born in New York City on July 23, 1838. The family records were blown away in the Grinnell cyclone, so that but little is known about his family save that his parents were born in Germany and moved to this country a short time before his was born.

The family afterwards moved to Troy, N.Y., and then to Poughkeepsie where for the most part his boyhood was spent. When but eighteen years old he began the work of a commercial traveler, which business, with but a few years interruption, was to be the principal one of his life.

In 1858 he was married in Poughkeepsie and as early as 1865 he began traveling in the west, carrying a line of notions for an eastern firm. Six children were born to himself and wife while living in the east, three of whom died in infancy.

With two sons and their only daughter Mr. and Mrs. Bayer moved to Cedar Rapids in 1871 and five years later came to Grinnell where they have lived most of the time since. Here he conducted a dry goods store for six years and then resumed his work as a traveling man, part of which time he represented Morrison, McIntoch & Co., of this city.

He was a heavy sufferer in the cyclone of 1882, losing his daughter, Susie, in the dreadful storm.

Mr. Bayer was one of the well known and active men here in the earlier days. Of late years he has been deeply interested in work along scientific lines and has attracted considerable attention by his books and personal efforts looking towards reform along lines which would better prepare the human race for the duties of motherhood and fatherhood.

He was a close student of the subjects in which he was particularly interested and was well posted in many other lines. He was possessed of a quick intellect which he found pleasure in using for what seemed to him the welfare of others. An indulgent parent and a kind and loving husband, he will be deeply mourned by those of the family who survive him,--his wife and two sons, J.E. Bayer of this city and W.E. Bayer of Oskaloosa, all of whom were present at the funeral exercises which were held from his late residence on West street last Tuesday afternoon at half past two, conducted by Rev. E.M Vittum. His remains were laid to rest in Hazelwood cemetery.