Johann "John" Bauer was born in Schmölz, Garmisch-Partenkirchen Bayern (Bavaria), in what is now modern Germany on 27 Jan 1834. He was the son of Ursula "Rosa" née Truckenbrod and Johann Georg Bauer. In 1851, at age 17, he came to the United States, settling first in La Moille Twsp. and later in Brooklyn Twsp. In 1859, he married Anna Maria "Maria" Buettner [Büttner.] and they took up farming in Brooklyn Twsp., Lee Cty., Illinois. They had twelve children together, three of whom would die young. In June of 1901, a neighbor's dog wandered into their yard and when John went to pet him, the dog nipped at his hand inflicting a small wound. The dog was found dead the next day. Neighbors reported that the dog had been acting peculiarly for several days. Seven weeks later, John began to show signs of hydrophobia, a.k.a. rabies. He was treated by Dr. Chandler, but to no avail, and John passed away on the morning of August 9, 1901. Funeral services were held at the home and he was buried at Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery with the Reverend August Goebel officiating.

Children:
• Rosina "Rosa" Bauer (1859-1941) [John Peter Ultsch/Ultch]
• Margaret Dorothy "Dora" Bauer (1863-1864) [-]
• Ludwig Casper "Lewis" Bauer (1867-1939) [Louisa Haefner]
• John Earhardt "Ed" Bauer (1870-1931) [Adeline Ida Haefner]
• Gustav Georg Bauer (1872-1955) [Lillian Anglemier]
• Johann Philip Bauer (1874-1881) [-]
• Alma Amelia Bauer (1877-1933) [Frank Ikeler]
• Benjamin Friedrich Bauer (1879-1881) [-]
• Daniel Martin Bauer (1882-1958) [Clara Cecelia "Celia" Schmitz]
• Wilhelmina A. "Minnie" Bauer (1884-1954) [Charles Marshall, Harry Olson]
• Charles Paul Bauer (1887-1979) [Lillian Knauer]
• Franklin William Bauer (1891-1930) [Hazel Preston]