JACOB BAUMUNK, for many years one of the well known business
men of Clay county, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, Feb-
ruary 29, 1840, a son of Michael and Rachel (Storms) Baumunk, who
were born in Germany. They were married in their native land, and five
children were born to them there, while four were added to the family
after they came to the United States. On arriving in this country the
father established the home in Washington county, Pennsylvania, where
he conducted a shoe shop until 1853. In that year he came to Poland,
Clay county, Indiana, and purchased eighty acres of partially improved
land, which he later placed under an excellent state of cultivation and
also added to the boundaries of his farm until it contained one hundred
and forty acres. He spent the remainder of his life on this farm.
    Jacob Baumunk, their first child born in the United States, spent his
boyhood days in his parents’ home, learning the shoe maker’s trade.
while later he conducted a shop of his own and manufactured boots and
shoes in Poland for twenty years. From there he went to Brazil and
followed the same occupation for a short time, later for fourteen months
was the proprietor of the Clay Hotel there, and during two years served
as the sheriff of Clay county. It was at the close of this period that he
bought several hundred acres of land in Sugar Ridge township, section 6,
and moved to his new farm home, living for a time in a little frame shanty
of five rooms which stood upon the place, but this was superseded by the
present large, two-story frame dwelling of eight rooms in 1897. Mr.
Baumunk has sold several hundred acres of his estate, but yet retains two
hundred and fifty acres on which he is extensively engaged in farming
and stock raising.
    On the 29th of April, 1868, he was married to Catherine Holenburg.
who was born in Owen county, Indiana, December 28, 1849, a daughter
of Frederick and Minnie (Overhelm) Holenburg, natives of Hanover,
Germany. The children of this union are: Laura, the wife of W. H.
Evans, of Saskatchewan, Canada; Noah E., also of that place; Orlando
and Minnie, of Terre Haute ; Ross H. and Nellie, twins, the latter the
wife of G. F. Lever, of Sugar Ridge township; Oscar J., at home:
John W., who is teaching school; and Lydia and Ruth, at home. Mr.
Baumunk is a Democrat in his political affiliations, and he is a member
of the Methodist Episcopal church.