John was one of the six children born to John Bohlsen Sr. and Josephine Langhorst, who married on 7 May 1872 in Jefferson County, Kentucky. His siblings were Mary (b. 9 Apr 1873), (sister) Frances (b.28 Jul 1874), Henry (b. Aug 1878), and two unidenfied siblings that were born and died before 1900.
I found his family on the 1880 Census, living in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky, where John Sr., aged 38, was a retail grocer. Josephine, aged 35, was home with their three young children--Mary, aged 7, Frances, aged 6, and Henry, aged 2.
There were apparently some difficult times for this family in 1893. (The Courier-Journal - Tue 17 Oct 1893 p. 5) "SHOT AT THE BURGLAR. Two Policeman Find a Man Climbing Out of Bohlsen's Grocery Store. J. Bohlsen, a grocer at Seventh and York streets, closed his business yesterday afternoon on account of hard times, and last night a bold robbery was attempted there. A boy informed Officers Baldwin and Gardner that a burglar was in the store. When they arrived the man was climbing out the window and one shot was fired at him, but without effect. Nothering was stolen, and the thief was evidently only after money." (The Courier-Journal - Mon 15 Dec 1890 p. 3) "SHERIFF'S SALE. Groceries and Horse & Wagon. Under execution in case of John Bohlsen vs. Conrad Statemon, I will, on Monday, December 15, 1890, at 10 a.m., at store, on corner of First and College streets, Louisville, Ky., sell to the highest bidder, at public auction, a stock of Groceries, Cigars, Tobaccos, etc., also a good Horse and Wagon. WM. CLARK, S.J.C. By J.A. LUDWIG, D.S."
John Jr. first appeared with his family on the 1900 Census. They were still in Louisville, where John Sr., aged 60, was earning a living as a landlord. Josephine, aged 55, reported that she had had six children, but that only four had survived to that census. Indeed, home with her were Mary, aged 27, Frances, aged 25, Henry, aged 21, and John Jr., aged 19.
Sometime after that census, John Sr. died. Josephine appeared without him on the 1910 Census, widowed, aged 65, still in the family home in Louisville. Still at home with their mother were Frances, aged 30, and John, aged 28 and working as a clerk in a retail grocery. To help make ends meet, Josephine had taken in two lodgers.
Sometime in the next few years, John went out on his own, eventually ending up in Mishawaka, St. Joseph County, Indiana.
When he filled out his WWI draft registration card on 12 Apr 1918, he gave his birth year as 1879 instead of 1881, making him appear to be 39 instead of 37. He indicated that he was single, tall and slender, and had brown eyes and greyish hair. At that time, he was working for the Mishawaka Woolen Company in Mishawaka, St. Joseph County, Indiana as a cutter. The company made woolen and rubber footwear, eventually becoming the Uniroyal company.
I couldn't find John in 1920, His mother was still living in Louisville along with John's widowed sister Mary Crozier. His mother died four years later in 1924.
On 29 Oct 1921, John married Dorothy "Dot" Ellen Ebel. (From: The South Bend Tribune - Mon 31 Oct 1921 p. 4) "PAIR IS WEDDED. John P. Bohlsen and Miss Dorothy Ebel Start up Matrimonial Road. The Tribune's Special Service. LAPORTE, Ind., Oct. 31--John Phillip Bohlsen, a Mishawaka farmer and Miss Allen Ebel, a shoeworker, whose home is near Mishawaka but who has been living for some months with relatives in Laporte, were married Saturday affternoon in Laporte by the Rev. M. G. Long, of the Laporte Christian church. They will live on the farm occupied by the bride's mother, Mrs. Charles Ebel. Mr. Bohlsen's parents live at Louisville, Ky."
Three years into their marriage, Dorothy had a close call. (The South Bend Tribune - Tue 7 Oct 1924 p. 14) "Woman Slightly injured in Auto Crash Monday...Mrs. John Bohlsen, rural route No. 2, received slight cuts and bruises late Monday morning when the car she was driving crashed head-on into one driven by A.R. Crofoot, rural route No. 2, at Main street and Third streets. She was taken to her home by a passing motorist."
John got himself into trouble early in 1926. (The South Bend Tribune - Wed 20 Jan 1926 p. 21) "The law, which tells what shall be done to drunken drivers, was rigidly enforced this morning in city court when John Bohlsen, Mishawaka rural route, No. 2, pleaded guilty to the charge and as a consequence was sentenced to 60 days in the county jail and fined $25 and costs, the latter part of the sentence being suspended upon recommendation of the prosecutor. Bohlsen was the first person to be brought before Judge E. J. Bower on a drunken driving charge and disposal of the case was watched with interest. Bohlsen was arrested Monday afternoon after he drove a truck into a telephone pole guy wire at Third and Cedar streets. The truck was overturned but the man was uninjured. When araigned in court Tuesday morning he pleaded not guilty but changed his plea this morning. The fine was suspended after the prosecutor had investigated the home conditions of Bohlsen and found that his family was in need of money."
John and Dorothy appeared together on the 1930 Census, living in Penn Township, St. Joseph County, Indiana, where John, aged 47, had a fruit farm. Dorothy, aged 42, was keeping house. There were no children with the couple.
Two years after that census, trouble visited the family. (The South Bend Tribune - Sat 3 Dec 1932 p. 10) "LOSS PUT AT $800 AS BARN BURNS. Fire of undetermined origin destroyed a barn and adjoining chicken coop on the farm of John Bohlsen, three and one-half miles east of the city limits on the East Jefferson boulevard road shortly after noon Friday. Damage was estimated at $800. Although efforts of firemen from the north side fire company in extinguishing the blaze were futile, chemicals were used to prevent the spread of the blaze to neaby farm buildings. The fire was fanned by high winds."
In the spring of 1936, John again ran into the strong arm of the law. (The South Bend Tribune - Wed 20 May 1936 p. 23). John Bolsen, aged 53, of rural route No. 2, fined $5 and costs and sentenced to 60 days in the county jail."
They were still in Penn Township in 1940. John, aged 58, was working for the W.P.A. (Works Progress Administration), the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unemployed people to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads.
The year following that census, the family put their house on the market. (The South Bend Tribune - Sat 19 Apr 1941 p. 13) "6-ROOM house, 122 ft. on St. Joseph river, Jefferson road. Loc. E. of I & M. plant, John Bohlsen, Jefferson Rd., Mish." They do not appear to have found a buyer and stayed on at that residence to at least 1949.
In the fall of 1941, John again found himself embroiled in legal problems. (The South Bend Tribune - Wed 1 Oct 1941 p. 27) "JOHN BOHLSEN DENIES DRUNK DRIVING COUNT. John Bohlsen, aged 59, of rural route No. 2, Mishawaka, arrested Tuesday afternoon on a charge of driving an automobile while under the influence of intoxicating beverages, pleaded not guilty in city court today. His hearing was set for 9 a.m. Saturday. According to the police, Mr. Bohlsen had been involved in a hit-run accident in South Bend, his arrest resulting from a radio message from the South Bend police department. However, the driver of the other car declined to sign an affidavit charging him with leaving the scene of an accident and Mr. Bohlsen was returned to Misahwaka. In response to the radio message, the police sighted the Bohlsen car being driven north on Logan street. At Jefferson boulevard the car made a right turn and was being driven in an irregular manner before being overtaken in the 900 block West Jefferson voulevard, according to the police arrest report."
On his 1942 WWII draft card, John, aged 61, was still working for the W.P.A. His job was at Mishawaka High School, working in the school's Defense Machine Shop.
In 1949, fire again visited the family home. (The South Bend Tribune - Mon 24 Jan 1949 p. 17) "FIRE DAMAGES SUBURBAN HOME. Sparks from a defective outside chimney was blamed for a $2,000 fire shortly after 9 a.m. Sunday which spread from the roof to the lower floor of the two-story home of John Bohlsen, of East Jefferson road, east of the Twin Branch generating plant of the Indiana * Michigan Electric company. The chimney sparks first set fire to the roof and then spread through the attic and damaged the living room and bedroom, causing considerable amount of plaster to fall. A section of the siding of the house was also damaged. Firemen from the north side station fought the blaze for nearly an hour before bringing it under control." This family seemed to have more than their fair share of hardship.
In 1953, Dorothy, John's wife of thirty two years, died at age 68. John could only endure two more years without her company and was laid to rest at her side when he died in 1955 at age 74.
I found his family on the 1880 Census, living in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky, where John Sr., aged 38, was a retail grocer. Josephine, aged 35, was home with their three young children--Mary, aged 7, Frances, aged 6, and Henry, aged 2.
There were apparently some difficult times for this family in 1893. (The Courier-Journal - Tue 17 Oct 1893 p. 5) "SHOT AT THE BURGLAR. Two Policeman Find a Man Climbing Out of Bohlsen's Grocery Store. J. Bohlsen, a grocer at Seventh and York streets, closed his business yesterday afternoon on account of hard times, and last night a bold robbery was attempted there. A boy informed Officers Baldwin and Gardner that a burglar was in the store. When they arrived the man was climbing out the window and one shot was fired at him, but without effect. Nothering was stolen, and the thief was evidently only after money." (The Courier-Journal - Mon 15 Dec 1890 p. 3) "SHERIFF'S SALE. Groceries and Horse & Wagon. Under execution in case of John Bohlsen vs. Conrad Statemon, I will, on Monday, December 15, 1890, at 10 a.m., at store, on corner of First and College streets, Louisville, Ky., sell to the highest bidder, at public auction, a stock of Groceries, Cigars, Tobaccos, etc., also a good Horse and Wagon. WM. CLARK, S.J.C. By J.A. LUDWIG, D.S."
John Jr. first appeared with his family on the 1900 Census. They were still in Louisville, where John Sr., aged 60, was earning a living as a landlord. Josephine, aged 55, reported that she had had six children, but that only four had survived to that census. Indeed, home with her were Mary, aged 27, Frances, aged 25, Henry, aged 21, and John Jr., aged 19.
Sometime after that census, John Sr. died. Josephine appeared without him on the 1910 Census, widowed, aged 65, still in the family home in Louisville. Still at home with their mother were Frances, aged 30, and John, aged 28 and working as a clerk in a retail grocery. To help make ends meet, Josephine had taken in two lodgers.
Sometime in the next few years, John went out on his own, eventually ending up in Mishawaka, St. Joseph County, Indiana.
When he filled out his WWI draft registration card on 12 Apr 1918, he gave his birth year as 1879 instead of 1881, making him appear to be 39 instead of 37. He indicated that he was single, tall and slender, and had brown eyes and greyish hair. At that time, he was working for the Mishawaka Woolen Company in Mishawaka, St. Joseph County, Indiana as a cutter. The company made woolen and rubber footwear, eventually becoming the Uniroyal company.
I couldn't find John in 1920, His mother was still living in Louisville along with John's widowed sister Mary Crozier. His mother died four years later in 1924.
On 29 Oct 1921, John married Dorothy "Dot" Ellen Ebel. (From: The South Bend Tribune - Mon 31 Oct 1921 p. 4) "PAIR IS WEDDED. John P. Bohlsen and Miss Dorothy Ebel Start up Matrimonial Road. The Tribune's Special Service. LAPORTE, Ind., Oct. 31--John Phillip Bohlsen, a Mishawaka farmer and Miss Allen Ebel, a shoeworker, whose home is near Mishawaka but who has been living for some months with relatives in Laporte, were married Saturday affternoon in Laporte by the Rev. M. G. Long, of the Laporte Christian church. They will live on the farm occupied by the bride's mother, Mrs. Charles Ebel. Mr. Bohlsen's parents live at Louisville, Ky."
Three years into their marriage, Dorothy had a close call. (The South Bend Tribune - Tue 7 Oct 1924 p. 14) "Woman Slightly injured in Auto Crash Monday...Mrs. John Bohlsen, rural route No. 2, received slight cuts and bruises late Monday morning when the car she was driving crashed head-on into one driven by A.R. Crofoot, rural route No. 2, at Main street and Third streets. She was taken to her home by a passing motorist."
John got himself into trouble early in 1926. (The South Bend Tribune - Wed 20 Jan 1926 p. 21) "The law, which tells what shall be done to drunken drivers, was rigidly enforced this morning in city court when John Bohlsen, Mishawaka rural route, No. 2, pleaded guilty to the charge and as a consequence was sentenced to 60 days in the county jail and fined $25 and costs, the latter part of the sentence being suspended upon recommendation of the prosecutor. Bohlsen was the first person to be brought before Judge E. J. Bower on a drunken driving charge and disposal of the case was watched with interest. Bohlsen was arrested Monday afternoon after he drove a truck into a telephone pole guy wire at Third and Cedar streets. The truck was overturned but the man was uninjured. When araigned in court Tuesday morning he pleaded not guilty but changed his plea this morning. The fine was suspended after the prosecutor had investigated the home conditions of Bohlsen and found that his family was in need of money."
John and Dorothy appeared together on the 1930 Census, living in Penn Township, St. Joseph County, Indiana, where John, aged 47, had a fruit farm. Dorothy, aged 42, was keeping house. There were no children with the couple.
Two years after that census, trouble visited the family. (The South Bend Tribune - Sat 3 Dec 1932 p. 10) "LOSS PUT AT $800 AS BARN BURNS. Fire of undetermined origin destroyed a barn and adjoining chicken coop on the farm of John Bohlsen, three and one-half miles east of the city limits on the East Jefferson boulevard road shortly after noon Friday. Damage was estimated at $800. Although efforts of firemen from the north side fire company in extinguishing the blaze were futile, chemicals were used to prevent the spread of the blaze to neaby farm buildings. The fire was fanned by high winds."
In the spring of 1936, John again ran into the strong arm of the law. (The South Bend Tribune - Wed 20 May 1936 p. 23). John Bolsen, aged 53, of rural route No. 2, fined $5 and costs and sentenced to 60 days in the county jail."
They were still in Penn Township in 1940. John, aged 58, was working for the W.P.A. (Works Progress Administration), the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unemployed people to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads.
The year following that census, the family put their house on the market. (The South Bend Tribune - Sat 19 Apr 1941 p. 13) "6-ROOM house, 122 ft. on St. Joseph river, Jefferson road. Loc. E. of I & M. plant, John Bohlsen, Jefferson Rd., Mish." They do not appear to have found a buyer and stayed on at that residence to at least 1949.
In the fall of 1941, John again found himself embroiled in legal problems. (The South Bend Tribune - Wed 1 Oct 1941 p. 27) "JOHN BOHLSEN DENIES DRUNK DRIVING COUNT. John Bohlsen, aged 59, of rural route No. 2, Mishawaka, arrested Tuesday afternoon on a charge of driving an automobile while under the influence of intoxicating beverages, pleaded not guilty in city court today. His hearing was set for 9 a.m. Saturday. According to the police, Mr. Bohlsen had been involved in a hit-run accident in South Bend, his arrest resulting from a radio message from the South Bend police department. However, the driver of the other car declined to sign an affidavit charging him with leaving the scene of an accident and Mr. Bohlsen was returned to Misahwaka. In response to the radio message, the police sighted the Bohlsen car being driven north on Logan street. At Jefferson boulevard the car made a right turn and was being driven in an irregular manner before being overtaken in the 900 block West Jefferson voulevard, according to the police arrest report."
On his 1942 WWII draft card, John, aged 61, was still working for the W.P.A. His job was at Mishawaka High School, working in the school's Defense Machine Shop.
In 1949, fire again visited the family home. (The South Bend Tribune - Mon 24 Jan 1949 p. 17) "FIRE DAMAGES SUBURBAN HOME. Sparks from a defective outside chimney was blamed for a $2,000 fire shortly after 9 a.m. Sunday which spread from the roof to the lower floor of the two-story home of John Bohlsen, of East Jefferson road, east of the Twin Branch generating plant of the Indiana * Michigan Electric company. The chimney sparks first set fire to the roof and then spread through the attic and damaged the living room and bedroom, causing considerable amount of plaster to fall. A section of the siding of the house was also damaged. Firemen from the north side station fought the blaze for nearly an hour before bringing it under control." This family seemed to have more than their fair share of hardship.
In 1953, Dorothy, John's wife of thirty two years, died at age 68. John could only endure two more years without her company and was laid to rest at her side when he died in 1955 at age 74.
John was one of the six children born to John Bohlsen Sr. and Josephine Langhorst, who married on 7 May 1872 in Jefferson County, Kentucky. His siblings were Mary (b. 9 Apr 1873), (sister) Frances (b.28 Jul 1874), Henry (b. Aug 1878), and two unidenfied siblings that were born and died before 1900.
I found his family on the 1880 Census, living in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky, where John Sr., aged 38, was a retail grocer. Josephine, aged 35, was home with their three young children--Mary, aged 7, Frances, aged 6, and Henry, aged 2.
There were apparently some difficult times for this family in 1893. (The Courier-Journal - Tue 17 Oct 1893 p. 5) "SHOT AT THE BURGLAR. Two Policeman Find a Man Climbing Out of Bohlsen's Grocery Store. J. Bohlsen, a grocer at Seventh and York streets, closed his business yesterday afternoon on account of hard times, and last night a bold robbery was attempted there. A boy informed Officers Baldwin and Gardner that a burglar was in the store. When they arrived the man was climbing out the window and one shot was fired at him, but without effect. Nothering was stolen, and the thief was evidently only after money." (The Courier-Journal - Mon 15 Dec 1890 p. 3) "SHERIFF'S SALE. Groceries and Horse & Wagon. Under execution in case of John Bohlsen vs. Conrad Statemon, I will, on Monday, December 15, 1890, at 10 a.m., at store, on corner of First and College streets, Louisville, Ky., sell to the highest bidder, at public auction, a stock of Groceries, Cigars, Tobaccos, etc., also a good Horse and Wagon. WM. CLARK, S.J.C. By J.A. LUDWIG, D.S."
John Jr. first appeared with his family on the 1900 Census. They were still in Louisville, where John Sr., aged 60, was earning a living as a landlord. Josephine, aged 55, reported that she had had six children, but that only four had survived to that census. Indeed, home with her were Mary, aged 27, Frances, aged 25, Henry, aged 21, and John Jr., aged 19.
Sometime after that census, John Sr. died. Josephine appeared without him on the 1910 Census, widowed, aged 65, still in the family home in Louisville. Still at home with their mother were Frances, aged 30, and John, aged 28 and working as a clerk in a retail grocery. To help make ends meet, Josephine had taken in two lodgers.
Sometime in the next few years, John went out on his own, eventually ending up in Mishawaka, St. Joseph County, Indiana.
When he filled out his WWI draft registration card on 12 Apr 1918, he gave his birth year as 1879 instead of 1881, making him appear to be 39 instead of 37. He indicated that he was single, tall and slender, and had brown eyes and greyish hair. At that time, he was working for the Mishawaka Woolen Company in Mishawaka, St. Joseph County, Indiana as a cutter. The company made woolen and rubber footwear, eventually becoming the Uniroyal company.
I couldn't find John in 1920, His mother was still living in Louisville along with John's widowed sister Mary Crozier. His mother died four years later in 1924.
On 29 Oct 1921, John married Dorothy "Dot" Ellen Ebel. (From: The South Bend Tribune - Mon 31 Oct 1921 p. 4) "PAIR IS WEDDED. John P. Bohlsen and Miss Dorothy Ebel Start up Matrimonial Road. The Tribune's Special Service. LAPORTE, Ind., Oct. 31--John Phillip Bohlsen, a Mishawaka farmer and Miss Allen Ebel, a shoeworker, whose home is near Mishawaka but who has been living for some months with relatives in Laporte, were married Saturday affternoon in Laporte by the Rev. M. G. Long, of the Laporte Christian church. They will live on the farm occupied by the bride's mother, Mrs. Charles Ebel. Mr. Bohlsen's parents live at Louisville, Ky."
Three years into their marriage, Dorothy had a close call. (The South Bend Tribune - Tue 7 Oct 1924 p. 14) "Woman Slightly injured in Auto Crash Monday...Mrs. John Bohlsen, rural route No. 2, received slight cuts and bruises late Monday morning when the car she was driving crashed head-on into one driven by A.R. Crofoot, rural route No. 2, at Main street and Third streets. She was taken to her home by a passing motorist."
John got himself into trouble early in 1926. (The South Bend Tribune - Wed 20 Jan 1926 p. 21) "The law, which tells what shall be done to drunken drivers, was rigidly enforced this morning in city court when John Bohlsen, Mishawaka rural route, No. 2, pleaded guilty to the charge and as a consequence was sentenced to 60 days in the county jail and fined $25 and costs, the latter part of the sentence being suspended upon recommendation of the prosecutor. Bohlsen was the first person to be brought before Judge E. J. Bower on a drunken driving charge and disposal of the case was watched with interest. Bohlsen was arrested Monday afternoon after he drove a truck into a telephone pole guy wire at Third and Cedar streets. The truck was overturned but the man was uninjured. When araigned in court Tuesday morning he pleaded not guilty but changed his plea this morning. The fine was suspended after the prosecutor had investigated the home conditions of Bohlsen and found that his family was in need of money."
John and Dorothy appeared together on the 1930 Census, living in Penn Township, St. Joseph County, Indiana, where John, aged 47, had a fruit farm. Dorothy, aged 42, was keeping house. There were no children with the couple.
Two years after that census, trouble visited the family. (The South Bend Tribune - Sat 3 Dec 1932 p. 10) "LOSS PUT AT $800 AS BARN BURNS. Fire of undetermined origin destroyed a barn and adjoining chicken coop on the farm of John Bohlsen, three and one-half miles east of the city limits on the East Jefferson boulevard road shortly after noon Friday. Damage was estimated at $800. Although efforts of firemen from the north side fire company in extinguishing the blaze were futile, chemicals were used to prevent the spread of the blaze to neaby farm buildings. The fire was fanned by high winds."
In the spring of 1936, John again ran into the strong arm of the law. (The South Bend Tribune - Wed 20 May 1936 p. 23). John Bolsen, aged 53, of rural route No. 2, fined $5 and costs and sentenced to 60 days in the county jail."
They were still in Penn Township in 1940. John, aged 58, was working for the W.P.A. (Works Progress Administration), the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unemployed people to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads.
The year following that census, the family put their house on the market. (The South Bend Tribune - Sat 19 Apr 1941 p. 13) "6-ROOM house, 122 ft. on St. Joseph river, Jefferson road. Loc. E. of I & M. plant, John Bohlsen, Jefferson Rd., Mish." They do not appear to have found a buyer and stayed on at that residence to at least 1949.
In the fall of 1941, John again found himself embroiled in legal problems. (The South Bend Tribune - Wed 1 Oct 1941 p. 27) "JOHN BOHLSEN DENIES DRUNK DRIVING COUNT. John Bohlsen, aged 59, of rural route No. 2, Mishawaka, arrested Tuesday afternoon on a charge of driving an automobile while under the influence of intoxicating beverages, pleaded not guilty in city court today. His hearing was set for 9 a.m. Saturday. According to the police, Mr. Bohlsen had been involved in a hit-run accident in South Bend, his arrest resulting from a radio message from the South Bend police department. However, the driver of the other car declined to sign an affidavit charging him with leaving the scene of an accident and Mr. Bohlsen was returned to Misahwaka. In response to the radio message, the police sighted the Bohlsen car being driven north on Logan street. At Jefferson boulevard the car made a right turn and was being driven in an irregular manner before being overtaken in the 900 block West Jefferson voulevard, according to the police arrest report."
On his 1942 WWII draft card, John, aged 61, was still working for the W.P.A. His job was at Mishawaka High School, working in the school's Defense Machine Shop.
In 1949, fire again visited the family home. (The South Bend Tribune - Mon 24 Jan 1949 p. 17) "FIRE DAMAGES SUBURBAN HOME. Sparks from a defective outside chimney was blamed for a $2,000 fire shortly after 9 a.m. Sunday which spread from the roof to the lower floor of the two-story home of John Bohlsen, of East Jefferson road, east of the Twin Branch generating plant of the Indiana * Michigan Electric company. The chimney sparks first set fire to the roof and then spread through the attic and damaged the living room and bedroom, causing considerable amount of plaster to fall. A section of the siding of the house was also damaged. Firemen from the north side station fought the blaze for nearly an hour before bringing it under control." This family seemed to have more than their fair share of hardship.
In 1953, Dorothy, John's wife of thirty two years, died at age 68. John could only endure two more years without her company and was laid to rest at her side when he died in 1955 at age 74.
I found his family on the 1880 Census, living in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky, where John Sr., aged 38, was a retail grocer. Josephine, aged 35, was home with their three young children--Mary, aged 7, Frances, aged 6, and Henry, aged 2.
There were apparently some difficult times for this family in 1893. (The Courier-Journal - Tue 17 Oct 1893 p. 5) "SHOT AT THE BURGLAR. Two Policeman Find a Man Climbing Out of Bohlsen's Grocery Store. J. Bohlsen, a grocer at Seventh and York streets, closed his business yesterday afternoon on account of hard times, and last night a bold robbery was attempted there. A boy informed Officers Baldwin and Gardner that a burglar was in the store. When they arrived the man was climbing out the window and one shot was fired at him, but without effect. Nothering was stolen, and the thief was evidently only after money." (The Courier-Journal - Mon 15 Dec 1890 p. 3) "SHERIFF'S SALE. Groceries and Horse & Wagon. Under execution in case of John Bohlsen vs. Conrad Statemon, I will, on Monday, December 15, 1890, at 10 a.m., at store, on corner of First and College streets, Louisville, Ky., sell to the highest bidder, at public auction, a stock of Groceries, Cigars, Tobaccos, etc., also a good Horse and Wagon. WM. CLARK, S.J.C. By J.A. LUDWIG, D.S."
John Jr. first appeared with his family on the 1900 Census. They were still in Louisville, where John Sr., aged 60, was earning a living as a landlord. Josephine, aged 55, reported that she had had six children, but that only four had survived to that census. Indeed, home with her were Mary, aged 27, Frances, aged 25, Henry, aged 21, and John Jr., aged 19.
Sometime after that census, John Sr. died. Josephine appeared without him on the 1910 Census, widowed, aged 65, still in the family home in Louisville. Still at home with their mother were Frances, aged 30, and John, aged 28 and working as a clerk in a retail grocery. To help make ends meet, Josephine had taken in two lodgers.
Sometime in the next few years, John went out on his own, eventually ending up in Mishawaka, St. Joseph County, Indiana.
When he filled out his WWI draft registration card on 12 Apr 1918, he gave his birth year as 1879 instead of 1881, making him appear to be 39 instead of 37. He indicated that he was single, tall and slender, and had brown eyes and greyish hair. At that time, he was working for the Mishawaka Woolen Company in Mishawaka, St. Joseph County, Indiana as a cutter. The company made woolen and rubber footwear, eventually becoming the Uniroyal company.
I couldn't find John in 1920, His mother was still living in Louisville along with John's widowed sister Mary Crozier. His mother died four years later in 1924.
On 29 Oct 1921, John married Dorothy "Dot" Ellen Ebel. (From: The South Bend Tribune - Mon 31 Oct 1921 p. 4) "PAIR IS WEDDED. John P. Bohlsen and Miss Dorothy Ebel Start up Matrimonial Road. The Tribune's Special Service. LAPORTE, Ind., Oct. 31--John Phillip Bohlsen, a Mishawaka farmer and Miss Allen Ebel, a shoeworker, whose home is near Mishawaka but who has been living for some months with relatives in Laporte, were married Saturday affternoon in Laporte by the Rev. M. G. Long, of the Laporte Christian church. They will live on the farm occupied by the bride's mother, Mrs. Charles Ebel. Mr. Bohlsen's parents live at Louisville, Ky."
Three years into their marriage, Dorothy had a close call. (The South Bend Tribune - Tue 7 Oct 1924 p. 14) "Woman Slightly injured in Auto Crash Monday...Mrs. John Bohlsen, rural route No. 2, received slight cuts and bruises late Monday morning when the car she was driving crashed head-on into one driven by A.R. Crofoot, rural route No. 2, at Main street and Third streets. She was taken to her home by a passing motorist."
John got himself into trouble early in 1926. (The South Bend Tribune - Wed 20 Jan 1926 p. 21) "The law, which tells what shall be done to drunken drivers, was rigidly enforced this morning in city court when John Bohlsen, Mishawaka rural route, No. 2, pleaded guilty to the charge and as a consequence was sentenced to 60 days in the county jail and fined $25 and costs, the latter part of the sentence being suspended upon recommendation of the prosecutor. Bohlsen was the first person to be brought before Judge E. J. Bower on a drunken driving charge and disposal of the case was watched with interest. Bohlsen was arrested Monday afternoon after he drove a truck into a telephone pole guy wire at Third and Cedar streets. The truck was overturned but the man was uninjured. When araigned in court Tuesday morning he pleaded not guilty but changed his plea this morning. The fine was suspended after the prosecutor had investigated the home conditions of Bohlsen and found that his family was in need of money."
John and Dorothy appeared together on the 1930 Census, living in Penn Township, St. Joseph County, Indiana, where John, aged 47, had a fruit farm. Dorothy, aged 42, was keeping house. There were no children with the couple.
Two years after that census, trouble visited the family. (The South Bend Tribune - Sat 3 Dec 1932 p. 10) "LOSS PUT AT $800 AS BARN BURNS. Fire of undetermined origin destroyed a barn and adjoining chicken coop on the farm of John Bohlsen, three and one-half miles east of the city limits on the East Jefferson boulevard road shortly after noon Friday. Damage was estimated at $800. Although efforts of firemen from the north side fire company in extinguishing the blaze were futile, chemicals were used to prevent the spread of the blaze to neaby farm buildings. The fire was fanned by high winds."
In the spring of 1936, John again ran into the strong arm of the law. (The South Bend Tribune - Wed 20 May 1936 p. 23). John Bolsen, aged 53, of rural route No. 2, fined $5 and costs and sentenced to 60 days in the county jail."
They were still in Penn Township in 1940. John, aged 58, was working for the W.P.A. (Works Progress Administration), the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unemployed people to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads.
The year following that census, the family put their house on the market. (The South Bend Tribune - Sat 19 Apr 1941 p. 13) "6-ROOM house, 122 ft. on St. Joseph river, Jefferson road. Loc. E. of I & M. plant, John Bohlsen, Jefferson Rd., Mish." They do not appear to have found a buyer and stayed on at that residence to at least 1949.
In the fall of 1941, John again found himself embroiled in legal problems. (The South Bend Tribune - Wed 1 Oct 1941 p. 27) "JOHN BOHLSEN DENIES DRUNK DRIVING COUNT. John Bohlsen, aged 59, of rural route No. 2, Mishawaka, arrested Tuesday afternoon on a charge of driving an automobile while under the influence of intoxicating beverages, pleaded not guilty in city court today. His hearing was set for 9 a.m. Saturday. According to the police, Mr. Bohlsen had been involved in a hit-run accident in South Bend, his arrest resulting from a radio message from the South Bend police department. However, the driver of the other car declined to sign an affidavit charging him with leaving the scene of an accident and Mr. Bohlsen was returned to Misahwaka. In response to the radio message, the police sighted the Bohlsen car being driven north on Logan street. At Jefferson boulevard the car made a right turn and was being driven in an irregular manner before being overtaken in the 900 block West Jefferson voulevard, according to the police arrest report."
On his 1942 WWII draft card, John, aged 61, was still working for the W.P.A. His job was at Mishawaka High School, working in the school's Defense Machine Shop.
In 1949, fire again visited the family home. (The South Bend Tribune - Mon 24 Jan 1949 p. 17) "FIRE DAMAGES SUBURBAN HOME. Sparks from a defective outside chimney was blamed for a $2,000 fire shortly after 9 a.m. Sunday which spread from the roof to the lower floor of the two-story home of John Bohlsen, of East Jefferson road, east of the Twin Branch generating plant of the Indiana * Michigan Electric company. The chimney sparks first set fire to the roof and then spread through the attic and damaged the living room and bedroom, causing considerable amount of plaster to fall. A section of the siding of the house was also damaged. Firemen from the north side station fought the blaze for nearly an hour before bringing it under control." This family seemed to have more than their fair share of hardship.
In 1953, Dorothy, John's wife of thirty two years, died at age 68. John could only endure two more years without her company and was laid to rest at her side when he died in 1955 at age 74.
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