Irwin at a young age

My grandfather (Irwin S. Baumann) at a young age.  He was born in 1891 and he doesn't look 20 here so we'll call it around 1910.  He was known for his red hair.  Some pretty old looking books on the desk.  I think he went to the University of Pennsylvania for one year of college but did not return.  He worked in the family business, Baumann Rubber Company in New Haven.  I don't know what he did there.  There were approx 120 employees.  The company failed (possibly due to a commodities crisis) in advance of the stock market crash and he, personally, never recovered.

But that's far in the future.  This young man (good looking!) looks relaxed and confident in his well tailored suit.

He had a hard life.  He never could make a very good living and depended on his wife and daughters.  They are all in the future of this photo.  My mother told a story about how he had borrowed $100 in advance of her visit.  My grandmother was furious because she would have to pay it back.  He wanted good meat for his daughter's visit.  My mother still remember that they had good roasts though.

He was difficult and did drink and smoked cigars.  I remember him coming to visit us in California.  My parents bought the ticket.