A surviving photograph believed to date to around 1892 shows the residence of William F. Baumhoefer, offering a glimpse into everyday life in early Poplar Bluff.
The image, photographed by W. H. Kennedy, shows the Baumhoefer family gathered in front of their Victorian-era home.
Early Life of William F. Baumhoefer
William F. Baumhoefer was born August 21, 1851 in Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of Henry Baumhoefer and Anna Maria Drogen.
On January 20, 1876, he married Katherine Louisa Henschen in Indianapolis, Indiana. Katherine had been born October 5, 1855 in Melle, Hanover, Prussia (Germany) to Franz Heinrich Henschen and Kathrine Elsabein Steinkuhler.
The Baumhoefer family later settled in Poplar Bluff, where they raised a large family during the city's early period of development.
Children of William and Katherine Baumhoefer
Historical records indicate the couple had at least seven children:
- Julia Ann Baumhoefer (1878–1935)
- Henry F. Baumhoefer (1879–1913)
- Louisa M. Baumhoefer (1882–1964)
- Anna Baumhoefer (1884–1885)
- William Carl Baumhoefer (1887–1963)
- Carl G. Baumhoefer (1889–1911)
- Laura A. Baumhoefer (1892–1920)
Several members of the family appear in burial records associated with Poplar Bluff cemeteries.
A House Mover in Early Poplar Bluff
City directory records provide a glimpse into William's profession. A 1914 Poplar Bluff city directory lists:
Baumhoefer, W. M. (Louise), house mover, residence 144 South B Street
The directory entry uses the initials "W. M.", while other historical records identify him as William F. Baumhoefer, a discrepancy occasionally seen in early directory printing or typesetting.
House moving was an important trade in developing towns during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Buildings were often physically relocated rather than demolished as communities expanded, streets were altered, or new construction required space.
Later Years
William F. Baumhoefer died May 19, 1918, at the age of 66 and was buried in Poplar Bluff.
His wife Katherine Louisa Baumhoefer survived him by two years, passing away February 18, 1920, at the age of 64.
Today, the photograph of the Baumhoefer home remains an important visual record of one of the families who lived in Poplar Bluff during its early years of growth.
Photos
The Baumhoefer family gathered outside their Victorian-style home in Poplar Bluff, c. 1892
Headstone of Louisa C. Baumhoefer (Katherine Louisa Henschen) in Poplar Bluff
Headstone of William F. Baumhoefer in Poplar Bluff
Historic Poplar Bluff
Story Contributor
Source:
Photograph by W. H. Kennedy. Original image courtesy of the Poplar Bluff Museum. Image scanned and digitized by Historic Poplar Bluff.
Related Historic Site
People in This Story
Henry Baumhoefer
father of William F. Baumhoefer
Anna Maria Drogen
mother of William F. Baumhoefer
Katherine Louisa Henschen
wife of William F. Baumhoefer, co-subject of family history
Franz Heinrich Henschen
father of Katherine Louisa Baumhoefer
Kathrine Elsabein Steinkuhler
mother of Katherine Louisa Baumhoefer
Julia Ann Baumhoefer
child of William and Katherine Baumhoefer
Louisa M. Baumhoefer
child of William and Katherine Baumhoefer
Anna Baumhoefer
child of William and Katherine Baumhoefer
Carl G. Baumhoefer
child of William and Katherine Baumhoefer
These connections were automatically identified by AI from the story text and have not yet been verified. They may be inaccurate or incomplete. They are shown for research purposes and will be updated as they are reviewed by our archivists.
Possibly Connected People
Katherine Louisa BaumhoeferUnverified
resident
LLM identified as "wife of William F. Baumhoefer, co-subject of family history" — "On January 20, 1876, he married Katherine Louisa Henschen in Indianapolis, Indiana."
Wm KennedyUnverified
LLM identified as "photographer who photographed the Baumhoefer family home" — "The image, photographed by W. H. Kennedy, shows the Baumhoefer family gathered in front of their Victorian-era home."
William F. BaumhoeferUnverified
owner/resident
LLM identified as "main subject, house mover and early Poplar Bluff resident whose home and family history are documented" — "A surviving photograph believed to date to around 1892 shows the residence of William F. Baumhoefer, offering a glimpse into everyday life in early Poplar Bluff."
