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| image_name =HenryGSBaars.jpg| image_size =225px200px

| date_of_death =[[July 2]], [[1909]]

| children =[[John Ernest Baars]]<br/>[[Theo Dunwody Baars]]<br/>Annie EllisonBaars<br/>[[Henry Gerhardt Baars]]<br/>''Four more others died in infancy''

'''Henry Gerhardt Sophus Baars''' ([[1844]]-[[1909]]) was a wealthy businessman who made his fortune in the lumber and shipping industries. He was the patriarch of the historically significant [[Baars family]], whose [[Baars family estate|vast land holdings]] shaped much of Pensacola's development.

Baars had barely arrived and begun his business career when the [[Civil War]] erupted. He enlisted in the [[Confederate army]] Savannah Guards, and four years later was dischargedwounded twice in battle, wounded and pennilesscaptured as a prisoner of war at Sailor's Creek in 1865. Within months, thoughReturning to Georgia, he had managed to reopen the Epping office and had wooed a beautiful Southern belle befriended an eight-year-old girl named [[Mary Ellison Baars|Mary Ellison Dunwody]], who was handing out small Confederate flags made by her mother. The couple <ref name="seriousbusiness">"Baars Meant Serious Business With City's Early Development." ''Pensacola News'', March 7-11, 1983.</ref> They were marriedin [[1871]]; he was 26, she was 16. He had managed to reopen the Epping office after the war, and in [[1871]] Baars elected to move to Pensacola, where prospects for lumbering and the timber trade seemed far better. Shortly thereafter Baars ended his association with the Epping company and began his own firm.

From [[1871]] forward, fortune smiled upon the Baars. They had eight children, four of whom survived infancy: John Earnest Baars, Theo Dunwody Baars, Annie Ellison Baars and Henry Gerhardt Baars. Baar's business enterprises soared; he was soon acting as agent for up to seventy-five lumber mills, shipping lumber to four continents and nearby islands. Baars was joined in the enterprise by his brother-in-law, [[Brian Dunwody]], and later by his sons [[Theo Baars|Theo]] and [[John Ernest Baars|John Ernest]]. A second firm, [[Baars, Dunwody & Company]], was formed to facilitate lumber exports, followed by a third, the [[Dunwody-Aiken Towing Company]], to operate tug boats related to local shipping.

Henry Baars continued operating his successful ventures until his death in on [[July 2]], [[1909, when he passed away]]. He is buried in [[St. John's Cemetery]].

==Personal life& community service==Throughout their married life, Henry and Mary Ellison Baars enjoyed a unique "game". On gift giving occasions, he would ask her what she wanted, and she would respond: "Just buy me a piece of land." Baars did, and eventually Mary Ellison's holdings exceeded 6000 acres, all in the path of the city's growth. At one time, the Baars built [[Cordova Towers|a mansion]] on the city's perimeter. Mary Ellison intended to develop the surrounding area with vacation homes for wealthy northerners; however, the plan was scrapped when economic conditions soured, and the area was eventually developed as the [[Cordova Park]] neighborhood. They also owned a townhouse on East [[La Rua Street]].

In September [[1882]] Baars was active in appointed vice-consul at Pensacola of the communityAustro-Hungarian Empire. He and Mary Ellison worked with others to fund construction was awarded the ''Ritterkreuz'' (Knight's Cross) of the new [[Christ Episcopal ChurchWikipedia:Order of Franz Joseph|Christ ChurchOrder of Franz Joseph]] building erected in on [[1903November 3]]-, [[1904|041908]]. A member of the Chamber of Commerce, Baars strove to fund and build improvements in the downtown area. He and Mary Ellison were also patrons of the arts.

Baars was active in the community. He and Mary Ellison worked with others to fund the new [[Christ Episcopal Church|Christ Church]] building, paid off its $25,000 mortgage in {{date needed}} and donated Tiffany windows to the church. A member of the [[Osceola Club]] and the [[Pensacola Chamber of Commerce]], Baars strove to fund and build improvements in the downtown area. He and Mary Ellison were also patrons of the arts. ==External linksReferences=={{refbegin}}* T. T. Wentworth, Jr. "Biographical Sketches of Early Citizens of Pensacola: Henry Gerhardt Sophus Baars." September 21, 1940.