Numbered among the important manufacturing interests and productive industries of New Haven is that conducted under the name of the Baumann Rubber Company, of which Morris Baumann is the treasurer and manager. Long experience in this field has well qualified him for the duties and responsibilities now devolving upon him. From the age of twenty-two years he has been connected with this line of activity, and through the steps of an orderly progression has continuously advanced to his present position.
     Mr. Baumann was born in Schmieheim, Germany, December 10, 1857. His father, Isaac Baumann, lived and died in Germany, where he was a successful cattle dealer. He passed away in 1872 at the age of sixty-nine years, while his wife survived until 1888, her death occurring when she had reached the age of seventy-two years. She bore the maiden name of Guta Baum, and by her marriage she had a family of seven children, of whom Morris is the youngest.
     After attending the public schools of his native land to the age of fifteen years Morris Baumann started out to earn his own living as an apprentice to the hardware business, which he followed in the employ of others for seven years. He then turned his attention to the manufacture of rubber goods in the city of Frankfort-On-Main and continued in that line for seven years, during which he gained a comprehensive knowledge of the business in its various departments, manifesting the thoroughness which has made for the notable efficiency of the German race.
     At length Mr. Baumann determined to try his fortune in America, and on the 4th of December, 1883, arrived in New York. In the following January he removed to Naugatuck, Connecticut, where he entered the employ of the Goodyear India Rubber Glove Company as foreman in the manufacturing plant. He spent fourteen months in that position, after which he came to New Haven and established his present business, forming a partnership with Ernest Schwenk. Their interests were conducted under the firm name of M. Baumann & Company until February 16, 1891, when Mr. Sehwenk sold out, being succeeded by Julius Lederer. At that time their interests were incorporated under the name of the Baumann Rubber Company. While the business was started on a small scale, the partners having no employes but doing all the work themselves, their patronage has steadily increased until their volume of business necessitates today the employment of from one hundred and fifty to one hundred and seventy-five people. The main factory covers a floor space of thirty by one hundred and fifty feet, and is three stories and basement, and a new building, still larger than the parent establishment, is located at Nos. 370 to 376 Davenport avenue. Mr. Baumann remains as treasurer and manager of the business with Samuel Lautenbach as president. They maintain a New York office at No. 404 Fourth avenue. In the New Haven plant they manufacture plain, fancy and velvet finish fairy parlor balls, also a full line of specialties in pure gum bathing caps, barber bibs, pure gum ice bags, catheters, stomach pumps and toy novelties. In addition to his interest in the rubber company Mr. Bauman is a director of the Reeves Manufacturing Company of Milford, in the Howe-Baumann Balloon Company of Newark. New Jersey, and the Story-Bell Lund Company of New Haven.
     On the 19th of June, 1890, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Baumann and Miss Clara Lederer, a native of that state and a daughter of Samuel and Marie Lederer, representatives of old New Jersey families, but both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Baumann have become the parents of two sons and a daughter: Irvin S., Gertrude F. and Robert L. The eldest wedded Regina Weil.
     Mr. Baumann is a member of the Mishkan Israel Temple; of the Free Sons of Israel; of the Harugari, of which he is treasurer; and of the Connecticut Rock Lodge. A. F. & A. M., of which he is also treasurer. He belongs also to the Chamber of Commerce and gives his political support to the republican party. He is a wide-awake, alert and enterprising business man, laboring not only for his own interest but also for the support of those measures which are most effective factors in good government.