Biographical sketch extracted from:

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887. p. 786.

JOHN C. BAUMGARTNER is a native of Wells County, Indiana, born in Harrison Township in December, 1854, a son of Christian and Catherine (Lehman) Baumgartner, natives of Canton Berne, Switzerland. His father was first married in Wayne County, Ohio, and with his family removed to Wells County, Indiana, where his wife died, leaving seven children. In 1852 he married Mrs. Catherine Baumgartner, widow of John Baumgartner, to whom she was married in Switzerland, and after his death with her two sons, Jacob and Cleophas, came to America. The first named enlisted in the war of the Rebellion and served nearly three years. He was wounded at the battle of Nashville, Tennessee, and was captured, and taken to Libby prison, where he died. Cleophas practiced medicine a number of years, and then became a minister of the gospel, and is now living at Elkhart, Indiana. John C. Baumgartner was reared in his native township, remaining at home until 1880, when he left the farm, and until 1884 was engaged in manufacturing lumber. In 1884 he lost his left arm by an accident in his mill, and was obliged to seek other employment. After his recovery he was employed as agent for a publishing house for a time, and in the spring of 1886 began clerking for Justus, Clark & Beil, hardware. dealers at Bluffton, remaining with them a short time, when he engaged in the abstract business. In November, 1880, he was elected recorder of Wells County, his duties beginning in November, 1887. Mr. Baumgartner was married December 26, 1878, to Mary A. Ashbaucher, daughter of John and Anna (Schene) Ashbaucher, of French Township, Adams County. They have two children— Charles Edwin and Oron Winfield. Mr. and Mrs. Baumgartner are members of the English Reform church at Bluffton. Mr. Baumgartner in politics is a Democrat. He is a member of Bluffton Lodge, No. 1,838, K. of H.