Frank M. Bauer

  • County: St. Joseph
  • Location: South Bend
  • Years Active in the Business:

This one is a little confusing.

There was a Franz (Frank) Bauer (1825—1903) and his son Frank M. Bauer Jr. (1859—1939).

We are going to assume that the bottles on this page are from Frank M. Bauer Jr., but could possibly be from his father.

According to The South Bend Tribune, August 31, 1889:

“John B. Ferstl, of Milwaukee, Wis., has purchased Frank M. Bauer’s beer bottling business together with the wagons, horses, etc., and takes possession next Monday. We understand that Mr. Ferstl will remove the business to East Market Street.”

Was this Frank Sr. or Jr.? We do not know for 100% certain.

However, in most South Bend city directories from the 1890s, Frank M. Bauer Jr. is listed as an agent for the Terre Haute Brewing Co., so he would have been bottling beer then.

According to Frank M. Bauer Jr.’s obituary published in The South Bend Tribune on September 26, 1939, he moved to Detroit, Michigan, about 25 years before his death. He was married to Alice Solomon, daughter of Phineas Solomon, a well-known figure in the South Bend cigar business. Alice and Frank lived at 629 West LaSalle Avenue before relocating to Detroit. He died at the age of 80 due to “complications resulting from advanced years.”

We use newspaper archives, city directories, ancestral data, and U.S. Census records for our basic research and do not have access to everything that may be out there. If you have anything that could help us with this entry, please share it with us. This entry will require more research.

1) The South Bend Tribune, January 16, 1903, p. 5

Franz Bauer, sr., for 42 years a resident of South Bend, died at the home of his son, Frank M. Bauer, corner of Scott street and LaSalle avenue, last evening after a brief illness. The cause of death was senile infirmity.

Mr. Bauer was born in Austria in 1825 and was 78 years of age. He came to this country in 1849, first locating in Philadelphia, and in 1851 came to this city where he engaged actively in business. In 1852 he was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Bauer, who died in 1863, and Mr. Bauer never remarried. For several years past he has made his home with his son in this city and was highly respected by all who knew him. He leaves two children, F. M. Bauer, jr., of this city, and Mrs. Louis Hahn, of Grand Rapids, Mich.

South Bend City Directories

1885 — Bauer Frank & Son, 127 N. Michigan (Saloon).

1894 — Bauer Frank M., agent Terre Haute Brewing Co., corner E Tutt and L S & M S RR, home at 321 W Marion.

1896 — Bauer Frank M., agent Terre Haute Brewing Co., corner E Tutt and L S & M S Ry, home at 733 W Water.
Bauer Franz, home at 733 W Water.

1899 — Bauer Frank M, agent Terre Haute Brewing Co., 173 E Tutt, residence at 733 W Water.
Bauer Frank Sr., retired, residence 733 W Water.

Bottle Photos

#1

Bottle Type: Quart blob top
Embossing: FRAИK M. BAUER / BOTTLER / SOUTH BEИD IИD.
Glass Maker: E.H.E. 28 (above back heel), Edward H. Everett Co.
Other Marks: 
Notes: All of the letter “N” are backwards. 
Photo Credit: Indiana Bottle Collectors

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#2

Bottle Type: Pint blob top
Embossing: FRANK M. BAUER / BOTTLER / SOUTH BEND / IND. 
Glass Maker: No markings.
Other Marks: 
Notes: 
Photo Credit: Indiana Bottle Collectors

View Full-Size Image

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