Nicholas Baumann

by Keith Howard, Kalamazoo Public Library

Nicholas Baumann was a local brewer, capitalist, and developer, who built more than a dozen stores in Kalamazoo during the 1800s. He served several terms as a city official and was an active member of Kalamazoo’s vibrant early German community.

Born in Schifferstadt, Germany, in 1828, Nicholas attended school in his hometown until the age of twelve, after which he apprenticed for three years as a silk weaver, and another three years as a machinist.

In 1849, Baumann joined thousands of other “FortyEighters” who fled Germany, hoping for a better life in America. After arriving at the Port of New York, Baumann traveled directly to Rochester, where he met and married his wife, Catherine, and found work with a lumbering firm.

The Baumanns spent some time in New York and Pennsylvania before making their way to Kalamazoo, where Nicholas found work in a local boarding house. In 1856, Baumann purchased two lots on Winsted Street, where he built a small neighborhood brewery. Baumann managed his Portage Brewery for three years while continuing to buy and sell residential and commercial property.

Around 1862, Baumann partnered with French master brewer George Foegele and assumed ownership of a significantly larger brewing operation on the west side of the village. Foegele & Baumann’s Kalamazoo Spring Brewery soon became the largest of the four local breweries.

Baumann rebuilt the facility after an 1867 fire and formed a new company called the Kalamazoo Steam Brewery.

After some fifteen years in the brewing business, Baumann sold his share of the Kalamazoo Steam Brewery in 1871. During the years that followed, he continued to pursue his interest in the loan business and real estate development. Baumann built several noteworthy commercial buildings in Kalamazoo, including the “Baumann Block” on the southwest corner of Water Street and North Burdick, and the “Shakespeare Block” on the northeast corner of Rose and Water streets.

In 1875, Baumann built a new building on East Main Street called “The Peninsular” (not to be confused with the Peninsula Building at the corner of Michigan and Portage (a.k.a. “Humphrey Block”), which is incorrectly identified as Baumann’s building). Baumann’s new three-story “Peninsular” featured a lavishly appointed saloon and billiard hall, a restaurant, sample rooms, dining rooms, kitchen, public reception hall, and ballroom. Although extensively remodeled since, the recently restored building still stands at 113 East Michigan Avenue. Look closely and you’ll see his name on the door.

In addition to his business dealings, Nicholas

Baumann was an active politician, both locally and nationally. He was a member of the Odd Fellows fraternal organization and belonged to the local German Workingmen’s Benevolent Association (AUV). He was a village trustee who served on the Roads and Bridges committee. He also served one term as Alderman of Kalamazoo, eight years as Kalamazoo’s Chief Engineer, and two years as Street Commissioner. His sons Frank and James later became prominent business leaders and developers, as well.

Nicholas suffered from ill health and passed away in 1895 at the age of 67. His funeral ceremony was officiated by The Reverend Caroline J. Bartlett (Crane), but his indelible imprint on the Kalamazoo community remains

More at kpl.gov

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