Martin Baum
Another eminent man was MARTIN BAUM. He was of high Dutch parentage; his father was from Strasburg, his mother of the Kershner family, but he was born at Hagerstown, Md., June 14, 1765, In 1795, at the age of thirty, he came to Cincinnati, engaged in merchandising, and became its most wealthy and influential business citizen. In 1804 he married Miss Anna Somerville Wallace. In 1803 he founded the first bank in the West, the Miami Exporting Company. This company at the same time carried on a great transportation business, and became one of the most important promoters and improvers of the navigation of the West. he called into life the first sugar-refinery, the first iron-foundry, emigrants from ships at Philadelphia—as Zachariah Ernest, the Stablers, Schnetz, Simon Oeler, Schenebergers, Hoffner, etc. Moreover, had the first ornamental garden, the first vineyard, and was active in founding the first public library (1802); of the Western Museum (1817); the first agricultural society (1818) etc., he was a leader in establishing schools, markets and churches; personally was one of the main pillars of the first Presbyterian church. He eventually purchased that extensive tract from Pike street to the top of Mount Adams and bounded by Congress and Fifth streets. Here he built the elegant residence, later occupied by Nicholas Longworth, and now by David Sinton. His hospitable home was open to all intellectually great men who visited Cincinnati, and German literary men were especially welcome. This great and useful man died December 14, 1831, of epidemic influenza, now known as “La Grippe.”
From Historical Collections of Ohio:by Henry Howe; Pub. 1888