Very little is currently known about Charles Bauer, aside from the bottles that bear his name and a newspaper report of a fire that destroyed his home and business on Friday, November 28, 1873, as shown in the clippings in the articles tab.
No census records for him have been found, and there are no known LaPorte city directories from the 1870s. He does not appear in the 1862–1863 LaPorte County Directory. Additional research is still needed.
One uncited written source from 1934 states that around 1875, after the fire of 1873 destroyed his earlier business, he began operating a vinegar factory on E Street in LaPorte. According to that account, the venture struggled, and around 1880 it was taken over by August Backaus and Fred Droege.
At this time, we can only estimate that Bauer’s bottling business ended with the 1873 fire, though the year it originally began remains unknown.
1) FIRE AT MINERAL WATER FACTORY
Business in Laporte seems to be getting considerably better—trade has opened up fairly, and our merchants are once more happy; but this happiness, I fear is but temporary, as after the holidays it will “fall off” again.
The Mineral Water Manufactory, of Charles Bauer was consumed to ashes, at 6 o’clock, P. M., Friday last. It was partly insured. The dwelling house of Mr. Bauer, would also have burned, but for the gallant and timely services of our valiant Fire Department. The house was situated only a few feet from the Manufactory, so that when the latter was burning, it fairly enveloped the house with flames. Plymouth Republican (Plymouth, Marshall County, Indiana), December 4, 1873.
2) CHARLES BAUER’S soda factory, at Laporte, was burned on the evening of the 28th ult. The loss was four or five thousand dollars with but partial insurance. St. Joseph Valley Register, Thursday, December 11, 1873.
