An Illustrated History of Central Oregon, Western Historical Publishing Company, Spokane, WA. 1905, pages 319-320. VENZ BAUER, a pleasant, genial gentleman, and one of Wasco county's foremost farmers and stockmen. resides in the vicinity of Boyd, where he has a choice and large estate. He was born in Austria, on June 19, 1873, the son of Jacob and Johanna (Schandal) Bauer, both natives of Austria, also. The father died at the home of our subject on March 13, 1896, and the mother still lives with him. Mr. Bauer came to the United States in 1889, after having secured a good education in his native country. He came direct through to Wasco county to join his brother, Antone, who had been here for several years. He was unable to discourse in English at all, and faced the problem to master an intricate tongue in a new land and make for himself a home and name. He has succeeded admirably. He handles the English well, has so conducted himself that he has won the admiration and respect of all good people who know him, while in financial matters, the characteristic thrift of his family, and wisdom in handling means, have been so well exemplified in him that he is possessed of a fine property, sufficient to make him one of the wealthy men of the county and to provide for his needs and of those dependent on him for all their lives. All this has been accumulated by his careful industry and he stands at the head of a valuable estate, which is managed in every detail with a care and sagacity that could but win the success which crowns his efforts. When Mr. Bauer landed here he was a lad of sixteen and he at once went to work for his brother, and then later wrought for other parties until he had means sufficient to justify him in taking a homestead. This he did and improved the same and began the good work of making a home. He purchased adjoining pieces until he now has seven hundred and twenty acres of good land, four hundred of which he cultivates and upon which he raises bounteous crops of wheat. He winters from fifty to sixty head of cattle, has a nice lot of choice Percheron and Clydesdale horses, and raises many Poland China hogs. He has a registered boar which is a choice animal. Good improvements are in evidence and all this is the result of the careful industry of the lad who came here with neither means nor friends. He purchased, among other pieces, the farm his brother had when he came. He has also bought and sold some land. His brother is now in Nebraska. Mr. Bauer became aware of the fact that to have a first-class home he needed a helpmeet and accordingly he sought one, a charming young lady, who was born in the vicinity of Glencoe, Oregon, Miss Annie Neabeack. The date of her birth was September 25, 1880, and her wedding occurred at The Dalles on January 19, 1898. Her father, William Neabeack, was born in Germany and left an orphan when nine years of age. He then came to the United States with an uncle, a sea captain, who was to raise the child. But as the sea did not suit the lad, he ran away and was reared by benevolent people with whom he became acquainted. He dwelt in many places of the United States, including Arizona, California, Oregon and so forth. He finally married Miss Emma Haddicks, who was born in the Willamette valley. Her parents were early pioneers there and came thither across the plains with ox teams. Her father is deceased, but her mother, who would be the grandmother of Mrs. Bauer, dwells in Portland. Mrs. Bauer has four brothers, Edward, William, Benjamin H., and George W., and one sister, Mrs. Effie Craft. To Mr. and Mrs. Bauer one child has been born, Fred, on June 24. 1901. He is a bright and very attractive child and the happy home circle of Mr. Bauer is complete with the dear old grandmother, a refined lady of excellent virtues, his thrifty, and kind wife, and then the father who has demonstrated his ability and love in securing and providing for his dear ones. It is a happy, pleasant Oregon home and from such as that come the men and the principles of true freedom. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2005 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.