Person:Rudolph Baumgartner (1)

NOTE: There is another "Rudolph Baumgartner," died 8 Aug 1900 in New Orleans (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969).

1. ↑ "Two Veterans Who Fought With Emperor Maximilian in Mexico", in The Times-Picayune. (New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, United States)
   p. 44, 24 Oct 1909.

   McComb City, Miss., Oct. 23---McComb numbers among her residents two old and highly-respected citizens in the persons of Rudolph Baumgartner and John Walter, two Austrians, who went to Mexico with General Maximilian when Napoleon sent him to act as the Mexican ruler.
   
   Rudolph, the first of the above named citizens, was born in Vienna, Austria, Aug. 16, 1839. His parents were fairly well to do, and he was given the advantages of an education. He had served in the Austrian Army, so when Napoleon asked for troops to accompany General Maximilian on an invasion of Mexico, Mr. Baumgartner was one of those accepted for cavalry service. He was at that time 24 years of age. When the English ship Peruvian left the French port on Dec. 6, 1864, carrying General Maximilian and the first detachment of his troops, First Sergeant Baumgartner was among the lot. After several days of rough travel they were landed at Vera Cruz, Mexico, where they remained a few days until the other transports arrived, bearing the 7,000 Austrian soldiers who were the invading army.
   
   "Then," Mr. Baumgartner says, "is where we got down to work."
   
   He states that many days and nights they were on a continuous march, and not being used to the climate, many of the troopers sickened and died. He says that during the campaign the French troops captured General Diaz, and he was turned over to the Austrian cavalry to guard. He was placed in a convent, and various squads under a commissioned officer stood the guard watches. Mr. Baumgartner had charge of one of these squads, and say that, all together, he had complete charge of General Diaz for eight days. On the removal of the cavalry to the skirmishing lines the prisoner was left in charge of the infantry, and in some manner or other effected his escape. The fighting was fast and furious from then on, and several times the first sergeant found himself hard pressed, but always managed to escape until the time when Maximilian surrendered. He was present at the execution of General Maximilian and his two leading officers on Jun 17, 1867, after which he was given his freedom.
   
   While in the old country he had learned to be a tailor, and, finding himself free, he went to New Orleans and opened a small tailor shop on Royal Street. He only remained in New Orleans a short time, when he came to Mississippi, locating at Summit, where he engaged in the tailoring business until 1896, when he moved to McComb City and opened a small shop. He has been here ever since, and, regardless of his 70 years of age, is still actively engaged at his bench. Sixteen years ago he was to Miss J[illegible] Nerrick. They have no children.
   
   Mr. Baumgardner has been a member of the B.P.O. Elks for many years and last month McComb City Lodge No. 268 made him a lifetime member without dues. This is an honor which is enjoyed by few men in this country and Mr. Baumgartner is justly proud of his age and record. He is an interesting talker and frequently is found at the Elks' home surrounded b a crowd of "youngsters," whom he is entertaining with stories of the Mexico invasion.
   
   The other party mentioned above is John Walter, who in some respects is a more remarkable character than Mr. Baumgartner. Mr. Walter was born on June 24, 1826, at Salzburg, Austria, and will be 84 years old his next birthday. He is hale and hearty, and when one meets him on the street, does not appear more than 50. He served eight years in what was known as the Austrian Lanciers [sic], a cavalry. He had served his time and was working in Vienna, when Napoleon called for troops. He was sent to sail with Maximilian's army, and landed at Vera Cruz on the second ship and served and served three and one-half years with the army of invasion. He was a member of Maximilian's bodyguard when he was captured, and was present at the execution. He talks quite entertainingly of the campaign. As soon as released, he came to the United States and stopped a few days at New Orleans, then coming on to Osymka, Miss., where he remained about three months, then going to Summit and leaving there in 1871 and coming to McComb City, where he has resided ever since. He is a machinist by trade.In [illegible date] Mr. Walter was married to a Spanish woman, and to this union there were born three children, all of whom are dead. The first wife died after they had been married a few years, and in 1871 he married Mrs. Mary E. Maples, who still survives.
   
   GenealogyBank

2.   "Necrology. Rudolph Baumgartner", in The Times-Picayune. (New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, United States)
   p. 10, 7 Jan 1910.

   McComb City, Miss., Jan 6---McComb City is in mourning to-day because of the death of Rudolph Baumgartner, one of the oldest and best loved citizens. Mr. Baumgartner died at 6:05 o'clock this morning, after an illness of four days.
   
   Rudolph Baumgartner was born in Vienna, Austria, Aug. 16, 1839. His parents being fairly prosperous, he was given a good education. He served six years in the Austrian army, and when Emperor Napoleon asked for volunteers to accompany General Maximilian on an invasion of Mexico, he offered his services, and was one of those accepted for cavalry service. He was at that time 24 years of age. When the English ship Peruvian left the French port on Dec. 6, 1864, carrying General Maximilian and the first detachment of his troops, First Sergeant Baumgartner was among the lot. After several days of rough travel they finally reached Vera Cruz. During the campaign the French troops captured General Diaz and he was turned over to the Austrian cavalry to guard. He was placed in a convent, and various squads under a commissioned officer stood the guard watches. Mr. Baumgartner had charge of one of these squads and held General Diaz a prisoner for eight days. He was present at the execution of General Maximilian and his two leading officers on Jun. 17, 1967, after which he was given his freedom.
   
   While in the old country he had learned to be a tailor, and finding himself free, he went to New Orleans and opened a small tailor shop. After a few months' residence in New Orleans he came to Mississippi, locating at Summit, where he was engaged in the tailoring business until 1896, when he moved to McComb City and opened a small shop, which he conducted until stricken down a few days ago.
   
   
   Mr. Baumgartner had been twice married, three children surviving by his first wife. He is also survived by his last wife. He was quite a pet of B.P.O. Elks Lodge No. 268, and was made a lifetime member without dues. By his genial disposition and entertaining conversations he endeared himself to all, and his death is deplored by the entire community.
   
   The remains were taken in charge by B.P.O. Elks Lodge No. 268 and the ritualistic services held at the residence at 4:30 this afternoon, after which the remains were conveyed to New Orleans on Illinois Central train No. 3 at 5:20 p.m. The funeral will take place from the residence of his son Adolph in New Orleans to-morrow, the hour being not yet announced.

3. ↑ Pike, Mississippi, United States. 1870 U.S. Census Population Schedule
   p. 76B, dwelling/family 172/173.

   Baumgartner, Rudolph 36 yrs Tailor (real estate = $2,000; personal estate = $100) b. Austria
   Baumgartner, Helen 40 yrs b. Russia
   Hackenjos[?], Louie 8 yrs b. Louisiana
   Hackenjos[?], Hellenia 5 yrs b. Mississippi
   Hackenjos[?], Henry 3 yrs b. Mississippi
   Baumgartner, Adolph 2/12 yr b. Mississippi

4. ↑ Pike, Mississippi, United States. 1880 U.S. Census Population Schedule
   ED 40, p. 419A, dwelling/family 199/167.

   Baumgartner, R. 45 yrs Tailor b. Austria (parents, b. Austria)
   Baumgartner, Helen 53 yrs Wife At home b. Baden (parents, b. Baden)
   Hacken, Joseph Lewis 18 yrs Stepson Clerk b. Mississippi (parents, b. Germany/Baden)
   Hacken, Lena 16 yrs Stepdau At home b. Mississippi (parents, b. Germany/Baden)
   Hacken, Henry 14 yrs Stepson At school b. Mississippi (parents, b. Germany/Baden)
   Baumgartner, Adolph 3[sic] yrs Son At home b. Mississippi (parents, b. Austria/Baden)

5.   New Orleans City Directory
   p. 766, 1875.

   [in business section under "Cigar Manufacturers"]
   
   Baumgartner, Rudolph 57 Magazine

6.   The Times-Picayune. (New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, United States)
   p. 10, 7 Jan 1910.

   

7.   The Times-Picayune. (New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, United States)
   p. 5, 8 Jan 1910.

   

8. ↑ Pike, Mississippi, United States. 1900 U.S. Census Population Schedule
   ED 112, p. 1, dwelling/family 4/4.

   Bumgardner, Rudolph Head 60 yrs (b. Aug 1839) (marr. 4 yrs) b. Austria (parents, b. Austria) (imm. 1867) [no occupation listed]
   Bumgardner, Jerusa Wife 61 yrs (b. Apr 1839) (4 children, 4 living) b. Alabama (parents, b. Austria)

9.   New Orleans City Directory
   p. 52, 1868.

   Baumgartner, R 366 Basin