CENTRAL ILLINOIS OBITUARIES

Paper Unknown, June 26, 1914

MRS. HELENA BAUJAN

Mrs. Helena Baujan died at her home in Arenzville Tuesday morning, June 23, 1914, at the age of 62 years, 10 months and 15 days.

Mrs. Baujan had been in very poor health for the past three years having had several paralytic strokes which deprived her of the use of her entire left side making her entirely helpless, which was a burden to herself in many ways.

She was born in Seighburg, Prussia, August 3, 1831. In 1848 she was united in marriage to Joseph Baujan, and to them were born thirteen children, six boys and seven girls, of which six are deceased. She was always a kind loving mother and had a helping hand at all times, a pleasant smile for all and a caressing word that would soothe and comfort every need.

Mrs. Baujan is survived by her seven children, namely: Anna Jones, Caroline Meyer, and Wm. Baujan of Arenzville, John Baujan, Rosa Thron and Ellen Herbert of Missouri, and Lizzie Kruse, of Alva, Oklahoma. Thirty seven grandchildren, and thirty three great grandchildren also survive.

Funeral services were conducted yesterday morning June 25, at nine o'clock from the St. Fidelis Catholic church, Rev. Fr. Cronin in charge. Interment was made in the Arenzville cemetery.

Paper unknown, March 27, 1914

Peter Baujan died at his home in Arenzville, Sunday morning, March 22, 1914, at the age of 63 years and 28 days. Death was the result of a stroke of paralysis which he suffered Saturday afternoon; up until his late illness he had enjoyed comparatively good health.

Mr. Baujan was known for his unusual weight tipping the scales at 510 pounds. When a mere boy he began to show signs of developing and when he reached his teens he was a man. On account of his unusual corpulency, various showmen visited him at his home and he was induced by P. T. Barnum, the king of showmen, to go on the road with his company. Mr. Baujan was then 26 years of age and for nine years he traveled with the show in all parts of the world and exhibited as the largest man living. It was said that at the time he weighed 550 pounds. His mother, who still survives him is a small woman, weighing only 110 pounds. The remainder of his family were of medium weight except one sister, Mary who reached the weight of 440 pounds and for awhile she accompanied her brother with the Barnum show.

Mr. Baujan's weight has been a great burden to him in the past years and although only living four blocks from the town he was never able to walk the distance. On election days he was taken to the voting place in a dray wagon; on times past at rallies he occasioned much merriment by being driven about and exhibited as the biggest democrat in Illinois, for politically Mr. Baujan was a close adherent to the principles of democracy. Mr. Baujan's wonderful size made it necessary to have special furniture for him and an ordinary chair would not withstand his weight. He was a man well educated and could talk intelligently on all the topics of the day. His travels about the world also gave him opportunity to observe widely the various habits and customs of people.

He was born in Seighburg, Prussia, February 24, 1841, and came to this country with his parents at the age of six months, landing in New Orleans, coming from there direct here where he has lived since. His father died in 1888. He is survived by hisaged mother, two brothers, John, of Missouri, and William, at home, and five sisters, Mrs. Anna Jones, of Arenzville, Mrs. Val Herbert, Mrs. Hy Thron, Mrs. Hy. Kruse, all of Missouri and Mrs. H. C. Meyer of Arenzville.

Williamson and Brockhouse had charge of the body and it was of such great size that a special coffin had to be ordered which measured 30 inches wide, 26 inches deep and the usual length.

Funeral services were conducted Wednesday morning at 9:30 o'clock at the St. Fidelis Catholic church, Rev. Father J. J. Cronin, in charge. Interment was in the Areanzville cemetery.