Gaston, Joseph.  "Portland, Oregon Its History and Builders."  Vol. 3. 
Chicago and Portland, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911. p. 253
 
HENRY C. BOHLMAN

     While success is the legitimate goal of business endeavor and men are
naturally seeking for advancement in their chosen fields of labor, it is the
exception and not the rule for men to concentrate all of their energies and
their time upon business, to the exclusion of all else. Many men are mindful of
their relations to their fellowmen, and put forth earnest effort to aid those
who are nearby travelers on life's journey. While Henry C. Bohlman is one of the
owners of a successful business enterprise, he is also secretary of the German
Aid Society of Portland, having occupied the position since 1904. He was born in
the city of Altoona near Hamburg, Germany, February 2, 1836, and was there
reared and educated. He learned the trade of a sheet metal worker in his native
country, and at the age of nineteen years he started out to work for himself as
a journeyman, visiting all the principal cities of the fatherland; thus he
obtained broad practical experience. He then returned to Hamburg and afterward
went to St. Petersburg, Russia, where he was employed on the first water works
installed in that city. He returned to his home after a summer spent in St.
Petersburg, and on the 10th of July, 1864, he left Germany for America, where he
arrived during the period of the Civil war. Gold was then at a premium, and for
every dollar he had in gold he received two dollars and a half in greenbacks. He
remained in New York for only seven days and then started for San Francisco,
whence he went to Sacramento by steamer. By lucky chance he caught the steamer
of the regular line; he took this because he had the fever and feeling very sick
wanted to leave immediately. The Yosemete, that he had intended taking, blew up
in the Sacramento river and several hundred passengers were killed. Mr. Bohlman
thought he was indeed fortunate in taking the other vessel and thus escaping
that fate.
     In Sacramento he began work as a Iocksmith with his uncle, for he could
find no employment at his trade. He assisted his uncle in carrying out a
contract for locks to the amount of eleven thousand dollars, but he had a
brother-in-law and a sister who were living in Portland, and it was this which
induced him to come to the Rose City in 1865. Here he first worked for Captain
Friedman, who later sold out to Goldsmith & Lowenberg. Mr. Bohlman remained with
that firm until 1874; he then started in business for himself as a sheet metal
worker and tinsmith and dosed out the business in 1877. He was then employed as
foreman by the firm of Corbett & Macleay at Astoria, where they were conducting
business under the name of the Anglo-American Packing Company. Mr. Bohlman was
employed there during the salmon canning season, and in the winter months
resumed work at the tinsmith's trade. It was only the condition of his health,
which caused him to close his shop during the summer months. For eleven years he
acted as foreman for the Anglo-American Packing Company, and throughout that
period conducted business as a tinsmith in the winter seasons. In 1887 he went
to Alaska where he became superintendent of the cannery owned by Captain W.
Berry. He would spend six months of the year there in connection with the
canning business, and the remainder of the year was devoted to the sheet metal
business. He also made several trips into the interior of Alaska, and with the
help of Indian labor established the cannery at Matlakahtla, Annet island, for
Missionary Duncan. A part of the time he had his two sons, Herman and Edward, in
Alaska with him. In the early '7os he sent his sons to New York, where they
learned the plumbing business. Edward had previously served an apprenticeship as
a machinist with what is now the Smith-Watson Company, but in 1893 both brothers
went to New York. Herman T. Bohlman is a practical plumber, having learned the
trade in the New York plumbing school. Edward F. attended the Pratt Institute
where he studied pattern making and also worked at the machinist's trade. When
the sons returned to Portland they joined the father in the conduct of a
plumbing and sheet metal working business, and the firm has enjoyed an extensive
and growing trade ever since that time.
     In Portland, on Christmas day of 1867, Mr. Bohlman was united in marriage
to Miss Augusta Von Der Luhe, who came from Hamburg to become his bride. Unto
them have been born four children, Edward F., Herman T., Otto and Bertha C. A
sister of Mr. Bohlman had married a brother of Mrs. Henry Weinhard in
Sacramento, California, and it was through Mr. Weinhard's influence that Mr.
Bohlman came to Portland, and it was in the Weinhard home that he wedded Augusta
Von Der Luhe.
     Mr. Bohlman is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and of the
Knights of Pythias. His religious faith is manifest in his membership in the
German Reformed Church, and since 1872 he has been a member of the German Aid
Society. This indicates his deep interest in his fellowmen and his helpful
spirit toward them. He has ever been ready to extend a hand of assistance when
needed and his sympathy enables him to understand others, to speak a word of
encouragement or to give material aid at a timely hour. His life has been one of
usefulness to himself and to his fellowmen, and the success which has crowned
his labors is well merited.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in April 2008 by Diana Smith. Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.