Sonoma County Biography
John W. Bauer
Born in Oroville, Butte county, January 31, 1857, John W. Bauer is the son of Carl Lewis E. Bauer, who was born in Pottsdam, Prussia, and in his early manhood was a watch and clock maker in Rio Janeiro, Brazil, also following the same trade in Valparaiso, Chili. There he met his future wife, Sophia Harter, a native of Stuttgart, Wortemberg, Germany, to whom he was united in marriage in San Francisco in 1855, they moving first to Oroville, and in 1858 settling in Petaluma, where he remained till the day of his death, 1901, at the age of seventy-five years. Carl Bauer, unlike many of the early settlers who left all trades and professions behind them to enter new fields of labor in the golden state, believed in perfecting himself in his own trade and adhering to it, thus in his long useful life his labors were confined to his chosen calling, in which he was so proficient. Upon coming to Petaluma he bought out what is now the present site of Jones candy store on Main street, then owned by Mr. McVicker, and still continuing in the jewelry business, he also entered in the hardware business with Conrad Temple, with whom he had become acquainted in Oroville, under the firm name of Temple & Co., but later on he bought out Temple’s interest, and his son, John W., became manager, and the business is still continued on the same site, but in a large, modern building. Some years before his death he sold out his interests to his children and retired from active labor. His wife died in San Francisco about fifty years ago, leaving two children, John W. and Florentine, the wife of Henry Schluckebier, the latter being actively associated with Mr. Bauer in the business, and is the president of the company. The subject of this sketch was brought up in Petaluma, attending the public schools, and later graduating from the Pacific Business college in San Francisco, and after clerking in the city for two years he returned to Petaluma.
He entered business with his father and showed a peculiar aptitude for his particular line of work. The business today, which is incorporated under the name of Schulckebier Hardware Co., of which he is vice-president, shows the strides that have been taken since its humble beginning in the early days. A progressive business man he keeps abreast of the times, and his diligence and attention to business have made the firm one of reliability. The Schluckebier Hardware Co. is among the largest dealers of heavy and shelf hardware, plumbing, agricultural implements, carriages and wagons north of the Bay. The store on Main street opposite the Plaza is 51x150 feet, three floors with galleries. In connection they have three large warehouses, the largest of which was built in 1911 on Petaluma creek and D street, 99x162 feet, with a wharf.
Mr. Bauer was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Belle Greening, born at Stony Point, she also being the daughter of a pioneer, W. W. Greening, now living in Petaluma. Two children have blessed their marriage: Ernest W., in business with his father, and Russel M., who is an electrician in Petaluma. Fraternally Mr. Bauer is connected with the Odd Fellows, of which he is Past Noble Grand; with the Encampment, of which he is Past Chief Patriarch, and is a member of the Canton and the Odd Fellows Hall Association, being treasurer of each. He is also an active member of the Elks. These positions, as well as his connection with all these orders, show the esteem in which Mr. Bauer is held in Petaluma, and the confidence that is placed in him, a highly respected and progressive citizen.
History of Sonoma County, California
History by Tom Gregory : Historic Record Company, 1891
Los Angeles, Ca. 1911
Transcribed by Roberta Hester Leatherwood
December 27, 2007 Pages 809-810
Sonoma County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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