The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-04
THE LATE wM. BoHLEN.
A Sketch OF tho Life OF Ono Among tho
Oldest and Best Citizens OF Memphis.

Oldest and Best Citizens or Memphis.
prominent and influential citizen for
thirty-eight years past, in the person OF
William Bohlen, was laid away at Elm
wood yesterday afternoon in the presence
OF large concourse OF tho deceased gen
teman's acquaintance. The services at
the residence OF the deceased, on Georgia
and Walnut streets, were conducted by
the Rev. Mr.. Venable, Of the Baptist
church, and among others present was
half dozen Sisters OF LaSallette, 70 whom
the deceased had always been kind. Tho
floral mementos on the occasion were
numerous and appropriate, while the pail
bearers included W. 5. Bruce, James Lee,
IT,, I. n. Snowden, n. Coleman, Joseph
Specht and J. J. Murphy.
The announcement OF the death OF
Mr.. Bohlen, which occurred Monday ut
.so'clock pm, was made in yesterdays
tissue OF this journal. AS the gentleman
-fetircd from active business over twenty
E'yene ago, since which he had led a &C.
cludco career; only moving among his old
time acquaintance ut irregular intervals,
Il was not generally known that he was in
danger of dissolution, and the fu-
neral notice Of yesterday proved n
surprise TO n wide circle. The late
Mr.. VIM. Bohlcn was among our
pioneer citizens, having first visited our
bluff In 1858 or thcreabout, when there
were barely 1900 inhabitants here, and
when the palisades and block houses Of
old Fort Pickering were In a good state OF
preservation on their original site and not
lar from jackson Mound park. lie was a
native OF Frecport, Pa. born in 1902, and
his earliest visit 10 the south was when he
was some thirty years Of age. lie came
first ~ an apprentice 10 n halter at Nash
vile. then rs voyager on Ice and coal
loaded ilAt-boas, in company with his
brother, T.. u. bohien, who jointly cstab-
lislcd the leo business now bearing their
name. Shortly after, or in 1871, the firm
Bohlcn, Wilson a Co. was formed. and u
carried on the ice and coal
traffic at Memphis and vicksburg, de-
liyering ice at intermediate points and
as FAR south as Baton Rouge, for
more than thirty ycars, the firm finally
being dissolved in 1865 by tho death OF
Mr.. Wilson. Among tho earliest rccollcc.
tons Of several elderly citizens hcrcabout
were the annual voyages made by MIR.
Bohlen along In the iortics and some later
with his steamer Alliquippa 10 Peoria lake
and la sale, near the head waiers OF the
Illinois river, after ice loaded barscs Tor
the southern supply.
In 1850 Mr.. Bohlen settled In this city
as the representative and resident partner
OF Bohlen, Wilson 4 Co., hislocation being
nj No. 2O0 Main street, where tho Fried
man Bros. now have their large wholesale
shoe store, and which site the firm pur-
chased, tho store and ground on which II
- stands being owned by Mr.. Bohlen nj his
death. The firm also purchased property
on the river front north Of Jefferson street,
which wna aiterward sold 10 speed 4
Graves, and which later became the prop
erty Of the IIanauer OIL works. AZ the
time OF his demise. Mr.. Bohlen owned tho
Main street property mentioned above,
also property ON Boalc street near the mar
kct, the estate being valued ut between
$4,000 and $4,000, n part OF II being
stock In the Bohlcn-Il Ice company,
In which he was leading owner and O
director. The vicissitudcs Of civil war re-
duccd his possessions materially. and
though a considerable fortune was then
wiped out, his business was not impaired,
except temporarily.
The deccasfd was person 81 very gen.
erous impulses and sterling qualities. Of q
retiring disposition, but was always In.
clined 10 deal squarcly with hisicllow men
In every instance. A close friend and
acquaintance for more than two decades,
abiding 10 him yesterday, said; "iio was
model man. and he would 70 farther "a
doShc fair thing than anyone have cyei
known. Indeed, he was honest 10 the let
Ter, and he might well DO termed an cx'
ample Of the noblest work Of the Al
mighty" .
The widow, formerly Miss Mary J. Watt
Of Mississippi. 70 whom he was married IN
1879. and when he was scventy.thrc ycan
OF age, survives her lnto consort. Tho
couple led the happicst Of lives together
during the fifteen years Of their connubia
career, aud no pair ever came nearer Illus
traiing the beautiful example set by lsaa,
and Rebccca OF old than they did. Thll
feature Of his life Vas well known 10 al
lwho wcrv privilege. 10 enjoy the con
fidcncc and hospitality and become iamilial
with the details Of their home life.
- For moro than seventy years Miss Mar
. garct Bohlen, a sister, resided on terms o
Family with her departed brother, aud nj
bardcnt affection always manifested iisel
kbe,wecn them. She, with her surviving
kbroihcr, y. r. Bohlcn, who arrived from
bhis farm In Illinois eome four hours aftc
Tho death Of his relative, together with N,
widow, survive and mourn the demise o
Thor departed companion.