SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

Carl Bohlmann, Page 273

CARL BOHLMANN, a son of Henry Bohlmann, living on section 36, of Herman Township, was born on the 10th of June, 1817, in Goldenbach, Hanover, Germany.  He was reared in Hildesheim, where he received a good common-school education, and later served a three-years apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, for the privilege of which he paid $40, clothing himself and receiving only his board in return.  As a journeyman he worked ten years in the city of Hanover, then left that city for five months, after which he returned and worked two years more for wages.

    Having decided to start in business for himself, he went to Neuhof, where he did job work and contracting for about two years, after which, repairing to Bremen, he set sail in September of 1851 for the New World, and after a voyage of forty-nine days landed in New Orleans.  A few days later he took passage on a steamer for St. Louis.  During this journey he had an experience worthy to be related.  On the second day, while at a landing, Mr. Bohlmann asked the mate how long the boat would remain, and was told fully ten minutes.  Having remained ashore about that length of time, he returned to the landing, when to his surprise and chagrin the vessel was steaming up the river.  Miles away from any habitation, he followed up the winding river until night, when he came upon a cabin occupied by an old negro and his family.  Our adventurer could speak no English and the negro could speak no German, but by signs the traveler made his colored hostess understand that he wanted something to eat.  With the generous hospitality so often shown by the colored people, she spread him a plentiful meal of corn bread and hominy.  The night being dark and threatening, Mr. Bohlmann got permission to remain until morning.  On his bed of oat-straw he dreamed of his far-away home and of the punishment he intended to inflict on the mate of the boat on which his entire belongings were stored.  With the dawn he again started up the river with a hope of finding a landing where he might catch another boat.  His progress, however, was impeded by a small stream, which ran into the river, but for the small sum of ten cents he was rowed across the creek by a negro.  Upon inquiry he found that a landing lay a few miles above.  It is needless to say that upon boarding the next boat he did ample justice to the eatables.  After a short stay in St. Louis our subject came on to Sheboygan, where, to his surprise, he found the man with whom he had served his apprenticeship.

    After working a few months for the well-known furniture man, Mr. Weber, of Sheboygan, Mr. Bohlmann went to the town of Herman, where he has since been engaged in farming.  He at first purchased ten acres of timber.  From time to tome he has purchased additional tracts, until he now owns one hundred and fifty-eight and a-half acres.

    To his cabin home on the 28th of June, 1854, Mr. Bohlmann brought his bride, who bore the maiden name of Dorathea Sophia Schulz.  Mrs. Bohlmann was born in Eichstedt, Prussia, Germany, August 19, 1834.  She is a daughter of Christian Schulz, a native of the same town as her husband.  Mrs. Bohlmann and two sisters came to America, she in 1853, and one of the sisters the year before.  The family to which Mr. Bohlmann belonged consisted of four children, himself and three sisters, he being the second in order of birth.  Unto our subject and his wife five children have been born, as follows:  August C. F., who is a prosperous farmer of Herman Township; Carl F., the next; Emma, who married William Rahn, also a farmer of the town of Sheboygan Falls; Adolph, at home; and Sophia, the wife of George Piper, a farmer of Herman Township.

    Mr. Bohlmann has a rich and well-cultivated farm, all of which, with the exception of about fifty acres, is under the plow.  Politically, he is a warn Democrat, and for two terms has served the people of his town as Supervisor.  All the members of the family are members of the Evangelical Church.

    Mr. Bohlmann has met with more than ordinary success in his business undertakings.  Commencing in this county with nothing, he has by his own unaided efforts accumulated valuable property, and is now able to spend the rest of his days in ease and comfort.