John
J. Bauer, water tax collector, Sacramento, is a native of Alsace, born four
miles from Bellefort, on the 8th day of August, 1837, his parents
being Michael and Maria (Weir) Bauer. In 1846 the family came to the United
States, and after six months in Texas, located at St. Louis, Missouri, where
both parents lived until they died. The father died July 5, 1864, the mother
1858. John J. Bauer, the subject of this sketch, was reared and educated at St.
Louis, receiving also a first-class musical training. In 1854 he came to
California with an older brother, Francis X., who had been in San Francisco, in
1852, engaged at his profession, that of a musician. They went down the
Mississippi River to New Orleans, and from there went on the steamer United States
to Aspinwall, crossing the Isthmus by rail and on mule back. From Panama to San
Francisco they proceeded on the steamer John L. Stephens, landing on the 2d of April,
1854. Mr. Bauer obtained a situation as a copying clerk for a lawyer named Fowler,
on Montgomery street, and after two months’ work got a $50 “slug” in payment.
On the 12th of July he came to Sacramento, and in partnership with
Jacob and George Herget, engaged in fishing on the river until 1859. In the
fall of that year he became a partner with J. T. Mier, in the grocery business, starting a store on Front
street, between I and J. They were in partnership until 1872, after which Mr. Bauer conducted the business alone for one
year, when he sold out to Fred Ubl, and remained out of business for a year on
account of ill health. In the fall of
1873 he ran for supervisor on the Independent ticket, and was elected serving
one year, he drawing the short term. In the fall of 1876 he went to Carson on a
musical trip with Church, Jones and Beebe, remaining five months. In the fall
of 1877 he was again elected supervisor, on the Republican ticket, serving
three years, or until the 1st of January, 1881. He next went into
the employ of Louis Schloss & Co., in the hide and pelt business, with the
intention of familiarizing himself with the business, so as to become a
commercial buyer. He worked up in the business from the lowest grade, and on
the 1st of May, 1882, he went on the road as purchasing agent for the
firm, throughout California. He
remained with the firm until September, 1884, when they closed their house in
the city. In connection with E. Hammond, he embarked in the same business, and
they did business under the firm name of E. Hammond & Co., until December,
1886, when they withdrew from the trade. Mr. Bauer was appointed City Water
Works Collector, and has held that position since April 1, 1887. Mr. Bauer was
married in this city on the 17th of February, 1862, to Miss Jane
France, a native of Lancashire, England. They have six children, viz.: Alice
Maria, Charles E., Annie F., Emile F., Jennie E. and John J., Jr. Mr. Bauer is
a member of Sacramento Lodge, I. O. O. F. (in which he has passed the chairs),
of the Veteran Odd Fellows, and of Union Lodge, A. O. U. W. In the days of the
volunteer fire department, he was a member of Neptune Hose Company five years,
served as its secretary four years and a half, acted as a member of the board of
delegates, and now an exempt fireman. Mr. Bauer has always taken an active part
in politics, and is pushing, influential man, with a very large circle of
friends.
An Illustrated History of Sacramento County, California.
By Hon. Win. J. Davis. Lewis Publishing Company 1890. Page 312-313.
© 2004 Marla Fitzsimmons.