BOHN, Christopher Edward & Robert L.
Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, 
WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, pp 587-588 and 725-726

Biography of Robert L. BOHN (pp 587-588) - brother of Christopher Edward 
BOHN, whose biography follows below

Robert L. BOHN is well known throughout Sauk County as a man of business 
enterprise and capability. He is the proprietor of one of the largest 
general merchandise stores of the vicinity of Lime Ridge [Sauk County, WI], 
and by careful attention to the various details of his work has built up an 
extensive and profitable trade. Our subject was born in Remdendorf, Prussia, 
09 Feb 1849, and was a son of Henry H. and Henricka (KOCHEL) BOHN. [Note 
that the father's name is given as Henry Carl BOHN and the mother's name as 
Hendricka (KACHEL) BOHN in the biography of Robert's brother, Christopher 
Edward BOHN, which follows.]

Robert L. BOHN was but two years of age when the family came to the U. S. He 
spent his boyhood in OH, and received a common school education. At the age 
of 22 years he went to MI, and spent two years lumbering, coming from thence 
to Sauk County in 1874. For about two years he dealt in staves, and in 1876 
purchased 40 acres of land and a store in the village of Lime Ridge [Sauk 
County, WI], where he has since operated one of the largest general stores in 
the locality. He is interested in city real estate to some extent in 
connection with his brothers in Chicago [Cook County, IL], and is a 
well-to-do citizen of Sauk County. He served as postmaster of the village of 
Lime Ridge for 11 years, and was well known as an efficient officer.

Our subject was married 29 Oct 1876 to Belle CUSHMAN, daughter of Charles and 
Almira (WARNER) CUSHMAN, of Ironton [Sauk County], WI. Her parents came to 
Sauk County, WI, in 1854, and settled near Lime Ridge [Sauk County, WI], 
where Mrs. BOHN was born. Her father was the first postmaster of the 
village, and was a carpenter by trade. He was born in Mt. Gilead [Morrow or 
Seneca County?], OH, and his ancestors were pioneers of CT. He died at Lime 
Ridge [Sauk County, WI] on 12 Jan 1885, aged 61 years, and the mother now 
resides at Crowell [Dodge County], NE, aged 70 years. She was born in Fabius 
[Onondaga County], NY, and was of Scotch and New England descent. Her 
maternal grandfather, John ROBINSON, was a Scotchman by birth. Mr. and Mrs. 
BOHN are the parents of the following children: (!) Otto L., (2) Nellie, a 
student at Reedsburg high school, (3) Elsie, (4) Nina, a student of the 
Yale School at Chicago, (5) Eva, (6) Alta, (7) Clarence, (8) Harvey, (9) 
Blanche, and (10) Carl. The six last named reside at home. Mr. BOHN is a 
man of good education and advances the interests of the community in which he 
lives and works for the best systems of schools and government. He does not 
seek [p 588] public office and pursues the even tenor of his way, but the 
affairs which are under daily discussion are familiar ones to him and he 
lends his influence for the better rule in his opinion. He favors 
Republicanism, and is strong in his convictions. He came to WI as a young 
man in search of an opening for energetic and capable men, and he has pushed 
his way to the front among the prominent men of the locality, and enjoys not 
only financial success, but the highest esteem of his associates among whom 
he has chosen to reside for many years.

Biography of Christopher Edward BOHN (pp 725-726) - brother of Robert L. BOHN

Christopher Edward BOHN, who is successfully conducting various business 
enterprises, is a man of more than ordinary energy and ability. He is one of 
the most extensive lumber manufacturers of Sauk County and is also proprietor 
of a fine estate, on which he conducts cheese making together with general 
farming. His buildings on the place form a portion of the town of Lime Ridge 
[Sauk County, WI], and the estate is a valued and productive one.

Mr. BOHN was born in Remdendorf, principality of Reis, Prussia, 21 May 1843, 
and was the son of Henry Carl and Hendricka (KACHEL) BOHN, natives of the 
same locality. His grandfather was a justice of the peace and one of the 
most prominent citizens of Remdendorf. The father of our subject was a 
farmer in his native land, and took a prominent part in the Rebellion of 
1848. He was a leading citizen of Remdendorf, and came to the U. S. in 1852, 
settling near Cleveland [Cuyahoga County], OH, and his death occurred at 
Olmstead Falls [Cuyahoga County], OH, 12 Apr 1896, aged nearly 80 years. He 
was a Republican, and a faithful citizen, and made a success of the pursuit 
of agriculture. The mother died about 1867, aged 48 years.

Our subject was nine years of age when the family came to America, after 
which he attended the public schools, and was also versed in the language of 
his mother country. He made good use of his opportunities and is an 
intelligent and capable business man. He enlisted in Nov 1861 in Company C, 
6th OH Cavalry, and served three years in the Army of the Potomac, taking 
part in all the leading campaigns of that army. At Upperville, VA, in May 
1863, he was captured and kept one month in Libby prison, when he was 
exchanged on account of wounds received previously, and thus escaped 
Andersonville. Leaving the hospital at Annapolis in Nov 1863, he rejoined 
his regiment, and at Hawes' Shop and Yellow Tavern he received other wounds 
which disabled him for a short time. His record shows 36 battles and 
skirmishes, and in all he did his duty as a loyal and true soldier.

After his return from the army Mr. BOHN spent 18 months learning the 
machinist's trade at Cleveland, OH, going from thence to Fayette County, IA, 
where he purchased and operated a saw mill in company [p 726] with his 
brother, Richard BOHN, and cousin, Herman MIESGIER. He went to Lime Ridge, 
Sauk County, in the fall of 1867, and built a steam saw mill, which he began 
to operate the following spring. For some years he manufactured large 
quantities of staves for the Chicago market, and still is extensively engaged 
in lumber manufacturing. He also owns and operates a saw mill at Cazenozia, 
Richland County, WI, and his establishments are well known throughout the 
state. He owns 140 acres of tillable land, aside from timber and pasture 
land, and his residence on the farm and his barn are among the largest farm 
buildings in the county, while the cheese factory on the place and other 
buildings are prominent features on the estate.

Our subject was married 06 Sep 1871 to Jennie MARTIN, daughter of David B. 
and Rachel (DEARHOLDT) MARTIN. Mrs. BOHN was of Pennsylvania Dutch descent, 
and her father settled in WI near Lime Ridge [Sauk County], in 1855. He 
enlisted in Company I, 35th WI Volunteer Infantry, and died at Memphis 
[Shelby County], TN, while in the service. Mrs. BOHN's mother was of German 
descent and was born in Baltimore County, OH. She died at Lime Ridge [Sauk 
County, WI], 09 Feb 1889, in the 70th year of her age. Mrs. BOHN was born at 
Westfield [Morrow County], OH. The following children have been born to Mr. 
and Mrs. BOHN: (1) Edith L., born 16 Nov 1873, now Mrs. Clark MINER; (2) 
Edward A., born 14 May 1875; (3) Arthur G., born 26 Jul 1877; (4) Henry J., 
born 27 Jan 1881; (5) Cora M., born 08 Apr 1885; (6) Frank B., born 11 Nov 
1887; (7) Francis, born 11 Nov 1887, died 13 Nov 1887, a twin brother of 
Frank B.; (8) Bessie B., born 09 Jul 1890; (9) Amy V., born 17 May 1892; 
(10) Chester E., born 26 May 1894; and (11) Freda L., born 27 Dec 1896. 
One child died in infancy, unnamed. Mr. BOHN leads a quiet life, and is not 
an aspirant for public favor, but advances the interests of his community in 
every possible way. Poltically he is a Republican.

Contributed by Cathy Kubly