Alfred Baum

1865 – 1934

Profile

Click here to view a PDF version of Alfred Baum’s biography.

Alfred Baum was born in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, on September 15, 1865, to Abraham Baum (click here to view his biography) and Mary Anspach Baum (click here to view her biography), both of whom were originally from Germany. He had twelve siblings: Jacob Baum, Hilda Baum Reisman, Rosa Baum Hassel (click here to view her biography), Simeon Baum (click here to view his biography), Ferdinand Baum, Selina “Sally” Baum Katz, Fannie Baum Metz, Lena Baum Monash, Freida Baum (click here to view her biography), Isadore “Israel” Baum, Maurice Baum (click here to view his biography), and Harry Baum (click here to view his biography). Alfred never married or had any children. According to the 1870, 1880, 1890, 1900, and 1910 census, he lived with his parents and siblings in the South Ward of Bellefonte and in the 1930 census, he lived with his brother, Simeon, Simeon’s wife, Myrtle, their daughter, Mary, and a boarder, Allice, in the North Ward of Bellefonte.

Alfred worked with his father in the wholesale of liquor and horses. In the February 16, 1894, edition of the Democratic Watchman, Alfred Baum of South Ward, Bellefonte, submitted a petition for a license to sell wholesale liquors. On April 9, 1897, the Democratic Watchman reported Alfred Baum was a liveryman who ran “…the pony paper express between this place [Bellefonte] and Lock Haven, on Sundays…” That week, he made a record trip “…that most any horseman could be proud of.” The paper reported Alfred’s buggy traveled the twenty-eight miles from Lock Haven to Bellefonte with almost 200 pounds of paper in three hours. Additionally, he made the trip with one horse and had to stop twenty-eight times to deliver papers along the way.

The September 30, 1898, edition of the Democratic Watchman reported Alfred Baum left the Baum stable of Bellefonte, operated by his father, Abraham Baum, to open his own livery, feed, and exchange stable in Patton, Pennsylvania. According to The Patton Courier on October 6, 1898, Alfred Baum leased the Marks barn near the old grist mill in Patton for his new stable. On October 21, 1898, the Democratic Watchman described Alfred’s new business in Patton as, “…opening up in a surprisingly prosperous manner.” The Patton Courier on November 24, 1898, reported W. T. Robinson received a contract from Alfred Baum to build a 48 by 36 feet two-story livery stable near “…the eastern approach to the iron bridge across Chest creek” in Patton.

On August 24, 1899, The Patton Courier reported John Phalen of Loretto purchased Alfred’s livery business near the iron bridge on Magee Avenue and Alfred returned to the Baum livery in Bellefonte. The Directory of Bellefonte, PA., 1901-02, listed Alfred’s occupation as livery, sale, and exchange stables with his father at Cherry Alley. According to the obituary of his brother, Isadore, in the Centre Daily Times on January 25, 1960, the Baum family’s livery business was located on East Cherry Lane behind the former Opera House, now the State Theater building. The Anderson’s Directory and Reference Guide of Bellefonte, State College, Howard and Milesburg Penna.: Including Rural Delivery Routes: 1911-12, also listed Alfred Baum as a “Livery Stable [on] E Bishop” in Bellefonte.

Different editions of the Democratic Watchman reported different lawsuits Alfred Baum was involved in. The April 26, 1901, edition of the Democratic Watchman reported on the case of the Commonwealth vs. Alfred Baum. Alfred was charged by Rebecca Ewing with “…furnishing intoxicating liquor to one of intemperate habits.” The case was reported as settled with no further details. On December 5, 1902, the Democratic Watchman reported on the case of Samuel Ewing vs. Alfred and Abram Baum regarding a horse trade. The paper recorded the case was on trial and court had adjourned the night prior. No further details were provided. Additionally, on October 4, 1912, the Democratic Watchman reported John B. Martin vs. Alfred Baum, a lawsuit over a horse, had been settled.

Alfred died of a heart attack at the age of 68 on August 14, 1934, in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, at his brother, Simeon’s, home at the corner of Curtin Street and Allegheny Street. According to his obituary in the Democratic Watchman, he was a member of the United Fire Company. Alfred was buried at the Rodef Shalom Cemetery in Bellefonte on August 17, 1934.

Miscellaneous Stories

In November of 1905, Alfred fell ill with appendicitis. According to the November 17, 1905, edition of the Democratic Watchman, he underwent an operation to remove his appendix at the Hayes-Dale sanitorium the previous Friday afternoon. He was reportedly released from the sanatorium two weeks later.

On January 14, 1910, the Democratic Watchman reported Alfred purchased a livery stable in Tyrone with the intention of moving there. Within two hours, however, he sold the livery stable in Tyrone, made a profit, and returned home to Bellefonte.

Photos

Baum Family Portrait

Photographed in late July of 1890 in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, by the photographer Shaffer. According to the August 1, 1890, edition of the Democratic Watchman, this was the largest family photo taken in Bellefonte. The photograph includes Abraham and Mary Anspach Baum and all of their thirteen children. Photo via Tara Mianulli U’Ren, the great-granddaughter of Simeon Baum (son of Abraham and Mary Anspach Baum).

Baum Family Portrait with Names

Baum Family Portrait (with names). Photographed in late July of 1890 in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, by the photographer Shaffer. Photo via Tara Mianulli U’Ren, the great-granddaughter of Simeon Baum (son of Abraham and Mary Anspach Baum), and captions by Casey Sennett.

Maps

1892

LIVERY BUSINESS

EAST CHERRY LANE, BELLEFONTE, PENNSYLVANIA, USA

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Bellefonte, Centre County, Pennsylvania. Sanborn Map Company, Apr, 1892. Map. Click here to view full map.

1897

PERSONAL RESIDENCE

117 EAST BISHOP STREET, BELLEFONTE, PENNSYLVANIA, USA

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Bellefonte, Centre County, Pennsylvania. Sanborn Map Company, Sep, 1897. Map. Click here to view full map.

LIVERY BUSINESS

EAST CHERRY LANE, BELLEFONTE, PENNSYLVANIA, USA

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Bellefonte, Centre County, Pennsylvania. Sanborn Map Company, Sep, 1897. Map. Click here to view full map.

1903

SECOND LIVERY BUSINESS IN PATTON

136 MAGEE AVENUE, PATTON, PENNSYLVANIA, USA

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Patton, Cambria County, Pennsylvania. Sanborn Map Company, Jun, 1903. Map. Click here to view the full map.

1904

PERSONAL RESIDENCE

117 EAST BISHOP STREET, BELLEFONTE, PENNSYLVANIA, USA

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Bellefonte, Centre County, Pennsylvania. Sanborn Map Company, Sep, 1904. Map. Click here to view full map.

LIVERY BUSINESS

EAST CHERRY LANE, BELLEFONTE, PENNSYLVANIA, USA

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Bellefonte, Centre County, Pennsylvania. Sanborn Map Company, Sep, 1904. Map. Click here to view full map.

1911

PERSONAL RESIDENCE

117 EAST BISHOP STREET, BELLEFONTE, PENNSYLVANIA, USA

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Bellefonte, Centre County, Pennsylvania. Sanborn Map Company, Aug, 1911. Map. Click here to view full map.