CHARLES FREDERICK BOEHLER

The History of West Virginia, Old and New
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc.,
Chicago and New York, Volume II,
pg. 439

    

CHARLES FREDERICK BOEHLER.  To some men the responsibilities in an active 
business career are always burdensome, while to others these responsibilities are as the 
breath of life.  Their plan,organize and successfully carry out great financial policies 
and commercial enterprises, enjoying the stress and strain that would prostrate their 
weaker brethren, and in their substantial undertakings they bring to
their communities progress and prosperity.  Such a valued and useful citizen 
of Morgantown, West Virginia, is Charles Frederick Boehler, a foremost business man 
of this city.
    
Charles Frederick Boehler was born at Gruenwold, Baden, Germany, July 12, 
1862.  His parents were Conrad and Cordula (Brugger) Boehler, both of whom were born in 
Baden and spent their entire lives in Germany, where the father died in 1867 and the 
mother in 1891.  Conrad Boehler was in the sawmill and lumber business during the 
greater part of his life, a substantial business man of his community.
    
After attending the common and high schools of his native town, Charles 
F. Boehler at the age of seventeen years, was apprenticed to the brush manufacturer at 
Donaueschigen, Baden, where he learned bookkeeping, and also had some experience as a clerk in a business house in 
Alsace-Lorraine.  He was twenty years old when he entered the German Army for his 
necessary period of military service of three years, which in his case was shortened 
by six months because of his exemplary conduct as a soldier.

    In 1885 Mr. Boehler came to America, reaching the port of New York in 
October of that year.  A few months later he went to Newark, New Jersey, where he worked 
in different factories for a time and then embarked in business for himself.  In 1899 
he came to Morgantown, West Virginia, call here to become secretary of the Senneca 
Glass Company, with which enterprise he has been identified ever since, and
from 1902 until the present has been secretary and treasurer of the company.  
Very soon after locating in this city his business aptitude was recognized, public 
confidence was secured, his name soon becoming an asset in connection with some of the 
most important business asset in connection with some of the most
important business developments of this secton.. His present high standing in 
business life of Morgantown and Monongalia County may be indicated by the relations  
he holds to many of the most important business concerns.  He is vice president of the 
Morgantown Lumber Company; is secretary and treasurer of the Silver Hill Oil Company; 
is vice president of the Labor Building and Loan Association; is treasurer
of the State Saving & Investment Association; is on the directing board of 
Chaplan Collieries Company; and is director also of the Commercial Bank of Morgantown, 
to all these enterprises bringing the quiet efficiency of business sagacity of a high 
order.
    
On August 8, 1892, Charles F. Boehler was united in marriage with Miss 
Elise Winskowski, who was born at Bromberg, Prussia.  They have two daughters: Emma, 
who is the wife of Robert Lee Long, of Fairmont, West Virginia; and Louisa, who reside 
with her parents at Morgantown.  Mr. Boehler and family belong to the Lutheran Church.  
He is a member of the Kiwanis Club, of Homestead Lodge No. 5878, Brotherhood of Yeomen, 
of Union Lodge No. 4,  A. F. and  A. M., and is a past commander of Monongalia Commandery 
No. 465, Knights of Malta.  He is also an Elk, with membership in Lodge No.411, and is 
a director of the Morgantown Chamber of Commerce.