SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

Charles Boehme, Page 619

CHARLES BOEHME, a member of the Sheboygan Dredge and Tug Company, and a member of the City Council, is an old settler of the Chair City.  He was born in Saxe-Altenberg, Prussia, Germany, July 2, 1840, and is a son of Dreaugott and Rosine Boehme.  The parents were born in the same country as the son, and emigrated to America in a sailing-vessel in 1852 with their family, reaching New York Harbor July 4 of that year.  They came at once to Sheboygan County, Wis., settling on a farm in Wilson Township.  The parents continued to reside on this farm until 1864, when they removed to the city of Sheboygan.  The father died in the fall of 1867, and the mother in March, 1869.

    Our subject was twelve years of age when he came to the United States, and his services were at once in demand to assist his father in the work of the farm.  He continued at home until 1862, when he began at carpenter work, and soon became a contractor and builder in Sheboygan.

    In 1868 Mr. Boehme engaged in the ice business, and two years later took his brother Frank as partner.  That connection continued twenty-one years.  In 1877, Mr. Boehme began dealing in wines, liquors and cigars, which he has continued to the present.

    On the 20th of March, 1866, Mr. Boehme was married in the Evergreen City to Miss Amelia Kroll.  Mrs. Boehme was born in Mechlenburg, Germany, and is a daughter of Frederick Kroll.  She came to America with her parents in 1847, and settled in Sheboygan County.  The parents moved to New London in 1866, where they celebrated their golden wedding in 1890.  the father is ninety-seven years old.  The mother died October 21, 1893, at the age of ninety-four.

    Mr. and Mrs. Boehme have no children of their own, but have an adopted daughter, Bessie.  In politics, Mr. Boehme is a Democrat.  He was elected Alderman in 1885, was re-elected and served three successive terms, until 1891, and was again elected in the spring of 1893.  He has also served two terms as Supervisor in the County Board.

    Socially, Mr. Boehme is a member of the Sons of Herman, and of the Order of Harugari, being the G. B. President for the latter order for the State of Wisconsin.