Theodor von Baginski

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Captain Theodor Hoffmann, discoverer of the springs (bust at the entrance to the spa gardens)

Theodor von Baginski , called Hoffmann , (born September 9, 1845 on the estate Adlig Kadmedien, Rößel district ; † October 8, 1929 in Annweiler ) was a German captain, entrepreneur and founder of the Bad Salzig spa .

Life

Theodor von Baginski was the son of an East Prussian landowner. According to a statement by his daughter, his ancestors were Polish nobles named von Baginski, who immigrated to East Prussia and took the name Hoffmann there in order to be able to become Protestant pastors. After a childhood on his parents' estate, he attended the Realgymnasium in Königsberg and the university there to become a teacher. However, he gave up this study after a semester and embarked on a military career.

Hoffmann took part in the German-Austrian War in 1866 and in the German-French War in 1870/71 . In the latter, he was wounded in the arm, and incorrect treatment made this injury worse and left permanent nerve damage. A malaria infection should also become chronic if the treatment is inadequate and it should cause him trouble for his entire life.

In autumn 1871 he married Eva Krantz from Bonn . She died after only seven years of marriage. Due to the late effects of his wounding, Hoffmann ended his military career in 1876 with the rank of captain. After the death of his father-in-law, he took over his mineral business and ran it for several years. He made a considerable fortune.

After he married Antonie von Baumbach in 1889 and lived in Metz for several years , Hoffmann acquired the dilapidated Berwartstein Castle in 1899 and had it rebuilt.

At about the same time he founded the Bad Salzig spa and invested large parts of his assets in this company. By buying land and drilling the thermal springs, Hoffmann laid the foundation for the spa business. After legal disputes with two partners, the composer and musicologist Erich Prieger and his brother Hans, Hofmann withdrew from this company.

Due to financial losses, he was forced to sell Berwartstein Castle, but secured a lifelong right of residence. According to his last will, he was buried at the foot of the castle, the grave site has been preserved to this day. The “Theodor Hoffmann Platz” in Bad Salzig is named after him, there is also a bust commemorating the founder of the bath.

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Hoffmann, History of the founding of the bath in Salzig, p. 50.
  2. ↑ a b c d e f Lilo Hagen: Theodor von Baginski or Hauptmann Hoffmann , in: Die RHEINPFALZ, April 5, 2003, accessed on March 10, 2015.

literature

  • Eva Hoffmann: The story of the founding of the bath in Salzig. Edited by Toni Kahl, reprint from: Hansenblatt 42, 1989 and 43, 1990 and 44, 1991. (Report written by Hoffmann's daughter about the establishment of a bath and the life of her father).

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Baginski, Theodor von
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Baginski called Hoffmann, Theodor von
BRIEF DESCRIPTION German captain, mining entrepreneur and founder of the Bad Salzig spa
DATE OF BIRTH September 9, 1845
PLACE OF BIRTH Gut Adlig Kadmedien, Rößel district
DATE OF DEATH October 8, 1929
Place of death Annweiler