52 Ancestors #9 Christian W. Bohnke

Christian W.  Bohnke was the eldest of 7 children born to Charles W. and Emma L. Franz Bohnke born on 5 April 1901 in Root Township Decatur IN. Uncle Chris is one of the few members from my dads family that I can remember. Since most of my dads immediate family had died, Chris was a mentor to my dad helping him get a good start at farming.

Chris married Louise M. Bleeke on 25 Dec 1931, they were married for almost 55 years until his death. She was born on 7 Nov 1904 the daughter of William Bleeke and Louise Holle. Chris and Louise had 8 children: 1 son died at infancy and another son Allen died in 2003. 4 daughters and 2 sons are still living.

Chris  graduated from Reppert Auctioneering School in 1923 and was an auctioneer for many years. He was also a farmer in Union Township living there from 1948 to 1969 and were members of Immanuel Lutheran Church. In 1970 Chris and Louise downsized and moved into a home on Elm St.in Decatur In.

Chris passed away on 8 Nov 1986 in the Decatur Community Care Center in Decatur. He is buried in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery. Surviving were his wife, children and grandchildren.



52 Ancestors Week #6 Adam J. Bienz

Headstone Adam J Bienz

Christina Matilda Bleeke

Adam J. Bienz was born in Willshire Ohio, 26 Oct 1859, son of Jacob and Elizabeth Pflueger Bienz.

His first wife Pauline Germann died leaving 1 daughter Minnie.

Adam married his second wife Christina Reinking 14 May 1899. She died 9 Apr 1893 leaving 1 daughter Paula.

 On 14 May 1900 he married Matilda Bleeke daughter of Christian and Mary Rupp Bleeke. They had 7 children all born in Adams County Decatur IN.

Erwin born 21 Dec 1900 died Mar 1979

Amelia born 30 Jan 1903 died 7 Jan 1999

married Martin Bulmahn

Martin born 13 Apr 1905 died Mar 1955

married Leona Bucher

Louise born 23 Nov 1907 died 7 Oct 1935

married Herman Bohnke (my grandparents)

Emil born 12 May 1910 died Sep 1987

Ida born 1 Sep 1912 died 23 Jan 1994

married Carl Badenhop

Norma born 29 Jan 1915 died 12 Mar 1997

married Oscar Schuller

I don't know if Erwin or Emil were ever married, I have not found a wedding record for either one.

Adam grew up in Van Wert County and had a common school education. He worked for several years with his father on the family farm. At the age of 18 he learned the carpentry trade and worked as a contractor for 10 years. By 1892 he had moved to Decatur IN saving enough money to buy a 110 acre farm in Union Township. He also served as the trustee for Union Township starting January 1915 serving for 4 years.

Census records show Adam and Matilda stayed in Adams County until his death on 16 Jan 1949. He is buried in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery along side his wife Matilda who died 5 years earlier on 22 Apr 1944.

52 Ancestors Week#4 Herman W. Bohnke

Herman W. Bohnke
Louise K. Bienz
wedding photo
7 Jun 1930




My Grandfather Herman W. Bohnke was born on 24 Nov 1903 in Root Township, Adams County, Decatur IN. He was the 3rd child of Charles W. and Emma L. Franz Bohnke. Herman worked on the family farm his whole life.
 He married Louise K. Bienz daughter of Adam J. and Matilda Bleeke Bienz at St. Peter's  Lutheran Church by Rev. M J Frosch in Root Township, Adams County,  Decatur IN. Prior to their marriage Louise was an employee of the General Electric plant in Decatur IN.
 After their marriage they moved to the Bohnke farm in Root Township. Together they had 2 sons, Willmott Doyle Bohnke was born on 18 Mar 1933 and Lehnford Lee Bohnke was born on 27 Sep 1935. Sadly Louise died of an embolism on 7 Oct 1935. Burial was at St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery, Rev. L J Dornseif.
On 14 Dec 1939 Herman married Sophie L. Krueckeberg daughter of Martin and Laura Bleeke Krueckeberg. They had no children.
On 2 Jan 1952 Herman was stricken with a heart attack while driving on US 27 northwest of Decatur. He was found by police and taken to Adams County Memorial Hospital. Burial was at St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery by Rev. F W Droegemueller.

Sunday's Obituary-Christian W. Bohnke

Christian W. (Chris ) Bohnke, 85, a resident of Decatur IN since 1970 and a retired Union Township farmer dies at 10:16 p.m. Saturday Nov. 8, 1986 in Decatur Community Care Center where he had been a patient for three days, he had been in ill health for more than a year.
Born in Root Township on April 5, 1901, he was the son of Charles and Emma Franz-Bohnke and was married to Louise Bleeke on Dec. 25, 1931. They were married for 54 years. He resided in Union Township from 1948-1969 and had been employed at Scott's foods in Decatur for 11 years, retiring in 1985. He was a graduate of the first class of the Reppert Auctioneering School in 1923 and was active in auctioneering for many years. He was an active member of Immanuel Luthern Church.
Survivors include the wife, 5 daughters and 2 sons, 1 sister, 28 grandchildren and 9 great grandchilren. He was perceded in death by 1 son, 3 sisters, and 2 brothers.
Services were held at Immanuel Luthern Church, Rev. Earl Petzold offiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

This obituary was posted in the Decatur Daily Democrat Newspaper on Nov, 10, 1986. Chris was the brother of my grandfather Herman Bohnke. Herman Bohnke died  suddenly in 1952 of a heart attack, my father was only 17 at the time and told us that Uncle Chris was a big help to him and his brother during this difficult time.

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