Yolo-Tehama-Napa County CA Archives Biographies.....Baumann, Otto J. 1879 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 22, 2006, 11:36 pm Author: Tom Gregory (1913) OTTO J. BAUMANN The qualities of accuracy and skill, without which permanent success cannot be attained in any line of enterprise, are no less important to the building industry than to other avocations. As leading characteristics of Otto J. Baumann they have been indispensable factors in the commendable degree of success which he has secured as a contractor and builder. While he is of Swiss lineage and nativity (born in September of 1879), he allows none to surpass him in loyal devotion to American institutions and in his work he displays the American traits of energy and progressiveness, combined with the thrift and economical management usually seen in people who claim Switzerland as their native country. Still in early life, with a long period of usefulness lying before him, it may be predicted that he will enjoy a growing reputation for efficiency in his chosen occupation. The trade which he has made his chief occupation Mr. Baumann learned through serving, a term as apprentice to a prominent contractor in Dubuque, Iowa, and after he had acquired an excellent technical knowledge of the craft he began to earn his livelihood thereby. Upon coming to California in 1900 he settled first at Corning, Tehama county, and while he was plying his trade as opportunity offered he devoted the balance of his time to the task of assisting his father on a ranch. From 1906 until 1909 he made his home in Napa, where he was employed by a contractor. During the latter year he came to Davis, Yolo county, and formed a partnership with J. W. Campbell under the firm title of Baumann & Campbell, the junior member being a native of Solano county who has engaged in the building business for the past eight or more years. Accompanying Mr. Baumann to Davis was his wife, whom he had married four years before their settlement in Yolo county and who was formerly Miss Minnie Fisher, being a native of New York, but a resident of California from early years. They are the parents of two children, Otto and Marie. In fraternal relations Mr. Baumann holds membership with the Modern Woodmen, but he cares little for such organizations aside from their insurance privileges, his time and attention being concentrated upon the successful outcome of his occupational tasks. While he has never made a special study of architecture, he seems to possess natural ability in that respect and draws his own plans for his buildings, thus saving to the other party the expense of outside drawings, as well as securing results that many assert could not be surpassed by a specialist in designs. The firm have kept steadily occupied ever since they began work at Davis and have erected the houses of Mrs. Hampton, Mrs. E. Granell, Mrs. Haussler, J. Harby, H. A. Plant and F. Baca, besides the building occupied by the Schmeiser restaurant, the attractive library, and as a contract for Mrs. James Reed the warehouse, 50x130, which displays substantial construction with one fifty-foot span without supports. A recent task completed by the firm, a dormitory at the University farm at a cost of $32,000, is the largest contract ever given for any building in or near Davis and may be accepted as an evidence of the high reputation of the contractors engaged for the responsible undertaking. Additional Comments: Extracted from HISTORY OF YOLO COUNTY CALIFORNIA WITH Biographical Sketches OF The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified With Its Growth and Development From the Early Days to the Present HISTORY BY TOM GREGORY AND OTHER WELL KNOWN WRITERS ILLUSTRATED COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA [1913] File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/yolo/bios/baumann672bs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/cafiles/ File size: 4.2 Kb