HomeMy WebLinkAbout1-24-08Walter F. Baughman
Birth: AUG 1870 in Dunbarton Barnwell Co SC
Death: 27 MAY 1950 in GA
Burial: Sebastion Cem Sebastion FL
Father: Henry Baughman
Mother: Mary L.
Marriage Eva Belle Owens b: 13 OCT 1875 in Dunbarton Barnwell Co SC
• Married: 1896 in SC
Children:
1. Myrtice Baughman b: JUN 1897 in Dunbarton Barnwell Co SC
2. Cecil Baughman b: APR 1899 in Richland Barnwell Co SC
3. Leon Owens Baughman b: 12 JAN 1902 in St. George, Charlton Co GA
4. Alton Parker (Monk) Bain b: 10 APR 1904 in St. George Charlton Co GA
The following information was assembled by Cora Sadler with the help of Edna
Baughman of Williston, South Carolina, Fred Owen Park, Sr. of LakeCity, Florida and
Clara (Mrs Monk) Baughman of Vero Beach, Florida. It seems interesting that Walter
Fred Baughman, the eighth of ten siblings, and his wife, Isabelle (Belle) Owens, one of
thirteen, would be leaving only a legacy of their home on Louisiana Avenue in Sebastian,
and two Granddaughters in Vero Beach. Walter F. Baughman was born August 25, 1869,
in a log cabin on a 460 acre Baughman home place located on a tributary of the Savannah
River near Dunbarton, South Carolina. He grew up on the home place and worked with
his father on the farm and at the gin. His father, Henry, owned one of the first cotton gins
in the area. It was first operated by mule power, and later converted to steam
power. Walter married Eva Isabelle Owens from near Dunbarton and built for themselves
a home on the 70 acre tract which he had inherited and farmed for himself. Here their
daughter, Myrtice (1897), and son Cecil (1899) were born. Around 1900, Walter with
some of his wife's relatives, the Owens, moved in covered wagons south across Georgia
to the big bend of the St. Mary's River to Cutler, Georgia, now called St. George. Here he
became postmaster and was involved in timber and cattle businesses. Sons Leon (1902)
and Alton (Monk) were born. In a few years Walter became restless and decided to move
further south. He acquired land on the St. Sebastian River west of Sebastian. Several
members of the Owens family came with the Baughmans in 1904, Maude Muller Owens
being one of them. Walter continued his interest in farming and timbering. From his
sugar cane he made syrup and sugar. He also tried growing citrus.The thatched shanty on
the river place proved inadequate for both families, so while still maintaining his interest
there, he moved thegroup into Sebastian to occupy a two - storied house west of the
railroadand on the corner of Palmetto and Louisiana Avenues. At the suggestion of
Walter, his sister -in -law, Maude, applied for the position of postmaster of Sebastian. She
was awarded it September 17,1906, and served at various locations in Sebastian for 23
years. Finally she was succeeded by her niece, Myrtice Baughman Martin Hunter. After
Walters wife's death in February 1947, Walter returned with his son, Monk, to revisit the
old home place in South Carolina. While there he died of a heart attack in May 1950. His
body was returned to Sebastian to be buried beside that of his wife, Belle.
LA
L/I
t"t, I
c4o'i
Irv,
vi
17
o
t7
15�
CIL
DD
a �o i�5 LN �,. .. %�..__..
't., Jcl
Is-I'
C:
rte( f
V%
z