CHRISTOPHER EDWARD BOHN - Biography

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Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, 
WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, pp 725-726


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.