“Halstenbek to Copenhagen. A journey of industry.” That’s the story of Hans Heinrich Baumgarten. We stand here at Assistens Cemetery. This is his final resting place.
Hans Heinrich Baumgarten was born in 1806. His birthplace was Halstenbeck, Holstein. Today, it’s part of Germany. Back then, it was under the Danish king. Baumgarten’s early life was humble. He began as a farm worker. Later, he apprenticed as a joiner in Hamburg.
In 1828, Baumgarten moved to Copenhagen. He engaged with mechanics. He studied machine construction. He also learned about iron casting. A stay in Germany exposed him to various machines.
Baumgarten’s big break came in 1843. He secured a royal license. This allowed him to start his own workshop in Copenhagen. H.C. Ørsted suggested a partnership. This led to C.C. Burmeister joining him.
In 1846, Baumgarten & Burmeister was founded. The location was Christianshavn. It began as a machine construction shop. It was also a foundry and shipyard. The company grew into one of Denmark’s largest industrial workplaces. It later became Burmeister & Wain. Today, it continues as MAN Diesel.
Baumgarten retired in 1862. By then, his company employed 450 people. They had produced 134 steam engines. Baumgarten also served on the board of Industriforeningen. He served from 1846 to 1860.
In 1863, Baumgarten received an honor. He became a Knight in the Order of the Dannebrog. He spent his final years in Lyngby. There, he designed a machine. It was for perforating sheets of stamps.
Hans Heinrich Baumgarten died in 1875. He was 68 years old. He is buried here at Assistens Cemetery. His legacy lives on through the company he founded. His work helped shape Copenhagen’s industrial landscape. His journey from farm worker to industrialist is inspiring. It shows what vision and hard work can achieve. Remember Hans Heinrich Baumgarten. He created an industrial empire.