GEORGE BAUGH. It is always a pleasure to see persevering industry crowned with success, and to find those well advanced in years able to retire from the toils of life and spend their declining years in comfort and repose. A goodly number of the citizens of Marion County have met with success in their worldly affairs and thus have no fears for the future. Among this number is George Baugh who is now retired and who is one of its most prosperous citizens. He is now living in Centralia, and being a general favorite, his friends will be well pleased to read this sketch of his life.
Our subject was born in Germany November 6, 1815, and is the son of George and Catherine Baugh, also natives of the Fatherland, where the former was a weaver by trade. Three years after his birth, the parents crossed the Atlantic and located in Maryland, where the mother died shortly after coming here, and the father lived only about two years when he too passed away. The parental family included four children, only two of whom, our subject and Henry, are living. The latter makes his home near Springfield, this state.
George Baugh of this sketch was reared to manhood in Washington County, Md., where he learned the miller's trade, which he followed there until reaching his twenty-third year. Six months later he came to Ogle County, this state, and spent the succeeding three years in operating a mill near Mt. Morris. He then went to Lee County and for six years operated a mill there.
While residing in Lee County, Mr. Baugh was married, January 13, 1851, to Miss Catherine Emmert, the daughter of Joseph Emmert, a minister of the Dunkard Church in that county. Mr. Emmert was of German descent and an old resident of that locality. Mrs. Catherine Baugh was born in Washington County, Md., June 6, 1822.
In 1865 Mr. and Mrs. Baugh came to Marion County, where our subject purchased land, which he rented. In 1866 he moved into the city and has since led a retired life. His union with Miss Emmert resulted in the birth of five children, all of whom are living, with one exception.
Miss Dora is a very fine artist, and for some time has been engaged in teaching painting.
Mr. Baugh owns a very fine home in Centralia, which comprises seven acres of land adorned with a handsome residence, bearing all the modern improvements and furnished in an elegant manner.
The property in Lee County which he formerly owned included two hundred and twenty acres of fine farming land, and in Alma Township, Marion County, he is the possessor of a quarter-section which he rents.
In politics our subject is a strong Democrat, and while he never aspires to any political office, he is interested in matters of public interest and is prominent in local affairs. With his family he occupies a high social position in the city and enjoys the confidence of his many friends.
Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Chapman Publishing Co, Chicago, 1894
Pages 207
Submitted by Sandy (Whalen) Bauer