Johan “John” Bauer, c. 1795–1863

Johan “John” Bauer, born about 1795 in Kotzmannsreuth, Pegnitz, Oberfranken, Bayern (Bavaria), which is just south of Bayreuth, died on 21 November 1863 in St. Louis, Missouri. John was married about 1832 to Catherine Elizabeth Bauer, who was born in 1800 also in Kotzmannsreuth. She died on 10 April 1853 in St. Louis.

As customary for those emigrating from Bavaria, a legal notice appeared in the General Gazette for the Kingdom of Bavaria and in the Royal Bavarian Intelligence Sheet for Upper Franconia Newspapers with the legal notice stating:

“Friday, 23 June 1843 Notice: The Johann and Catharina Bauer spouses, of Kotzmannsreuth, are taken with their sister and resp. sister-in-law to migrate to North America; the single Margaretha Bauer, and with their children:

1. 1. Johann Bauer, born 28 June 1833
   2. Michael Bauer, born 3 October 1835
   3. Gertraud Bauer, born 22 September 1837
   4. Anna Elisabeth Bauer, born 28 February 1842

Any claims to the same have to be announced in the appointment scheduled for June 26th when the judicial review is over. 15th of June, 1843 Royal Bayern District Court District judge.”

Johan and Catherine Bauer and family departed from Bremerhaven, Germany, on the ship Camera arriving at the Port of New Orleans on 13 December 1843, then onto St. Louis. The Bauer family settled in the Soulard area, then later moved to the Old North St. Louis area. The ship’s manifest lists Johan, Catherine, and their four children along with John’s sister, Margaretha, and sister-in-law, Magdelene.

Johan and Catherine Bauer had five children: John, Michael, Gertrude, and Anna, all born in Kotzmannsreuth, and Margaretha born in 1845 in St. Louis. No records for Michael, Gertrude, and Magdalena after their arrival in St. Louis have been located. Michael and Gertrude probably died young while Magdalena may have gone elsewhere. The youngest sister, Margaretha Bauer, married William Glas and remained in St. Louis with their three children.

The 1847 and 1851 city directories indicate John was a laborer. By the time of the 1860 census, John was living with his son-in-law, John Heimann, and daughter Annie Bauer. John and Annie Heimann married in 1860 and had eight children. Also living with John and Annie in 1860 was son John Bauer and daughter Margaret. In 1865, Margaret married Conrad Heimann, and they had six children. John Bauer married Theresa Rauch, and they had five children. John Bauer died on 21 November 1863 and Catherine Elizabeth Bauer died on 10 April 1853 with burial at Holy Ghost Cemetery, all in St. Louis.

A family tragedy happened on 18 March 1880 when Conrad Heimann was drinking, and he stabbed to death his wife Margaretha Bauer who was holding their baby daughter Maggie. Margaretha died immediately with Maggie passing a month later. The coroner’s inquest revealed that Conrad had suffered from hallucinations since childhood, and his drinking made the situation worse. Conrad was convicted of second-degree murder in a trial in October 1880, but in February 1881 a judge dismissed all charges because it was determined Conrad was insane at the time.

Written by Scot Heimann
January 2021

© 2021, St. Louis Genealogical Society