Born in Germany. Enlisted in the 17th Missouri Infantry at St. Louis, Missouri. Mustered in as a Private in Company G at the St. Louis Arsenal on 26 Sep 1861. Oct 1861 sick in St. Louis hospital. From 1 Nov 1861 to Apr 1862 on regular duty as a Private. May-Jun 1862 on regular duty as a Corporal. 24 Jul 1862 sick at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. Nov-Dec 1862 sick at Jefferson Barracks, but now a Private. 1 Aug 1863 hospital cook at Jefferson Barracks. 1 Dec 1863 transferred to the 62nd Company, 2nd Battalion, Veteran Reserve Corps. A member of Custer Post No. 6 of Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington. Died in Tacoma, Washington. He is buried in a G.A.R. section of the cemetery. Some of his military records list his first name as "Francis", and some list his last name as "Baumann".