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BENJAMIN F. BAUGHMAN

Benjamin Franklin Bauhman, who for many years was in the employ of a railroad company, running out of Rock Island as a conductor on passenger trains, during which he established an excellent record and never had a serious accident, has now retired from active railroad work and is engaged at the United States Arsenal, being an employe of the small arms department.

He was born February 22, 1844, in Franklin county, 0., a son of Alfred and Hannah (Robbins) Baughman, the former born in 1822 and the latter in Ohio in 1824. They came to Davenport, Ia., March 10, 1848. where they remained until 1S70 and then moved to Rock Island, where Mr. Baughman was engaged in farming and as a United States mail clerk until his death, October 12, 1890. Mrs. Baughman had died in 1863, and Mr. Baughman married again, his second wife passing away in 1888.

Benjamin Franklin Baughman was educated in the public schools of Davenport, Ia., and as a youth took up farming, an occupation which he followed until his enlistment, August 1, 1862, from Davenport, in Company D, Twentieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. The company was mustered at Clinton, Ia., and was sent to Jefferson Barracks, thence to Springfield and eventually to Raleigh, Mo. The first engagement occurred at Hollow Springs. Mo., and they then marched 120 miles to Prairie Grove, where an all-day fight occurred.

The next engagement was at Little Rock, Ark., and they were then sent back to Prairie Grove and eventually participated in the battle of Pilot Knob. They were in the siege of Vicksburg, being there at the time of the surrender: went to Jackson, Miss., for a short time and later returned to Vicksburg, when they went down the river in boats to Camp Champ de Mars, New- Orleans, where they remained in camp for several months. They accompanied Banks on his Red River expedition, but returned to Carlton in time to take part in a short skirmish, then went up the Rio Grande river. where they went into camp for two months. In the fall of 1863 they went to Mustang Island. Tex., marching about 100 miles, and remained there six months, being engaged in guarding the pass at Point Isabelle, and were in garrison at Mobile. Ala.. for six months. They took part in the siege of Fort Morgan, Spanish Fort and Fort Blakesley, the battle which was fought after the war was over and in which several thousand men were killed. Mr. Baughman was mustered out of the service at Clinton, Ia., August 12. 1865. with a record for bravery and faithfulness to duty that no man would need he ashamed of. During his enlistment he fought in Missouri, Arkansas. Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida ; was transported by steamboat 6.350 miles ; by steam ship, 2.4110 miles : by rail, miles. and marched 2.400 miles. He secured employment in the manufacture of curtains, at which he was employed for six months, and then became a brakeman on the Chicago. Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, and after one year was promoted to conductor, under Superintendent A. Kimball He continued as conductor for this line for thirty years, and has had numerous experiences while running both frei ght and passenger trains, although he has never had a serious accident. He has never been sick in his life. due. no doubt, to his good habits. Mr. Baughman also had contracts with the government for the delivering of mail from the trains to the officials for two years. had charge of the Crystal Ice Company for one year and the baggage rooms of the Rock Island Junction Railroad for a like period, and in 1887 became an inspector in the Rock Island Arsenal, where he is now employed. He owns a beautiful home at No. 2501 Eighth and one-half avenue, and is considered one of the well-to-do residents of his community. He is a republican in politics, and has served as councilman of his ward. He is' a member of Damien Lodge No. 10, Knights of Pythias, of Davenport, of the Grand Army of the Republic. Post No. 243, of Rock Island. and of the Presbyterian church.

In 1807 Mr. Baughman was married to Lovina Wertz. who was born January 7, 1846, in Westmoreland, 0., daughter of Christopher Wertz. The parents of Mrs. Baughman came originally from Westmoreland county. Pa., and in 1847 traveled overland from the Ohio homestead to Mt. Joy. Scioto county. where the parents died. Five of their seven children still survive: Liza J., who married W. G. Cunningham, residing at Blair, Nebr.; Sophia, who married John Leslie, living at Rock Island; Lucinda, who married John Davidson, is deceased; Mary L.. who married a Mr. Williams, residing in Chicago, Ill.; and Lovina, who married Mr. Baughman. Mrs. Baughman's great-grandfather was a soldier during the War of 1812, in which he lost a limb.

Mr. and Mrs. Baughman have had two children : 0. W., born April 9, 1869, an inspector at the 'United States Arsenal, living in Rock Island; and Oliver M., an employe of the Rock Island Railroad for twenty-five years. The four grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Baughman are: Fayette M., born September 15, 1896; Ralph, born June 5, 1907; Franklin D., born September 13, 1893 ; and Irene F., born October 9, 1896.

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