The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1911-08-10
SAM BALDAuF IS DEAD.
Pioneer Merchant and Respected
Citizen Passes Suddenly Away. .

citizen of OSkalooSa, is dead, passing
away suddenly and Unexpectedly
Tuesday evening at $50 o'clock, af-
ter a few moments of illness, at the
home of Mr.. and Mrs. Fred Romer in
Monmouth, Illinois.
Mr.. and Mrs. Baldauf, accompanied
by their son, Art Baldauf, and Miss
Beckie Heinsfurter, started Tuesday
morning on an overland trip to Chi
cago to attend. the big aviation meet
ing A telegram was received by the
son, Leo Baldauf, in this city about
$50 o'clock last evening, stating
that the party had arrived at Mon
mouth without accident or incident
after a most enjoyable overland trip.
Arrangements had been made to stop
at the Fred Romer home for the night
before continuing the trip to the east.
The party was in the best of spirits
and the evening was being enjoyed at
the Romer home, visiting and talking.
Mr.. Baldauf complained of a sudden
severe pain. He was seated in a
chair, talking to members of the fam
lily when he was taken ill. Before
snything could be done to relieve his
suffering he collapsed and death en-
sued in a few moments, about $3.50
o'clock.
Communication with the son Leo
in Oskaloosa was Immediately secured
and the sad news was then given to
friends. Preparations were made by
the son for immediate departure for
Monmouth and side of the mother
and brother. In company with his
friend, Art Oppenheimer, Leo depart
ed by automobile to Ottumwa, driven
by E. A. Cunningham. Here they
caught the midnight Burlington train
for Monmouth.
They will return with the body this
afternoon about three o'clock via the
Iowa Central. Funeral announce
ments will be made tomorrow.
Sketch of His Career.
Sam Baldauf was born in Bavaria,
December 20, 1S4S. He came to
America in 1866 and after attending
college in Chicago came to Iowa and
located in Oskaloosa. The store and
business which bears his name was
opened in a small room on the west
side of the square, Immediately south
of the alley, March 10, 1870. 1t was
limited enterprise at that time, Mr..
Baldauf employing but one assistant.
He soon gained the confidence of the
people and the business grew and
prospered. Within a few years larg-
err quarters became necessary and a
new room three doors south was Sc
cured. Later a second room was add
ed, thus establishing the first double
room store that Oskaloosa had ever
known Twenty-one years ago, in
1890, Mrs. Baldauf purchased the
site of the present store, and enlarg-
ed and improved it from time to
time until in the summer of 1910 the
owners of the building, the Messrs.
Williams, erected the fine structure
which now houses the Baldauf store.
The business name was changed in
1877 to Baldauf Bros, but within
few years the brother retired and Mr..
Baldauf became sole owner again. A
few years ago the firm was incorpor-
ated and became known as the Bal
dauf- Rosenblatt company. Mr.. Bal
dauf remained the head Of the firm,
his son Leo, Mr.. A. Rcsenblatt and
others becoming stockholders. Or
late years Mr.. Baldauf has not ap-
piled himself closely to the details
of the business, but has enjoyed a
lessened activity, spending much
time in travel and recreation. He
was always familiar with the bust
ness, however, and every day that he
was in town he put in much time at
he store, directing the business in
general way and enjoying the priv
ilege of visiting with his customers.
He had known many of his customers
from infancy and it was remarkable
how we'll he retained names and
faces. In his forty-one years of busl-
ness activity in Oskaloosa he had
formed the acquaintance of practi'
cally every person living in Mahaska
county, and he has enjoyed their con-
fdence and esteem in wonderful
measure.
In addition to his store, Mr.. Baldauf
had other large business interests,
and his counsel and advice will be
missed in many enterprises. He was
always public spirited and never fail
ed to do his full share toward the ad'
vancement of the town and its in
situations, and was ever among the
first to subscribe to anything OF the
kind. He was charitable always. and
not only gave when want became ap'
parent but hunted up the needy and
cheered and fed them.
His life was clean and his example
worthy emulation. He will be miss
ed from the community that has
known him so long and will be
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