It is not true, William J. Bauer quipped Thursday, that he was with the federal court in Chicago when it was established 200 years ago.But Bauer’s service on the federal bench has lasted nearly one-fourth of that time.Following more than three years on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Bauer joined the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals nearly 45 years ago.Bauer had a varied career before he became a member of the federal judiciary, with stints in private practice, as a prosecutor and …