Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1910-09-29

Father Of Hon. william A. Bahlke
Died Tuesday Evening
BORN IN GERMANY IN 1928
Funeral Services at the Home of His Son at 2
O'clock This Afternoon

Anthony Bahlke was born in
Dumerhutte, in the Province of Neck
lemberg, Germany, on Saint Anthony
day, the 18th day of January, 1928;
hence his given name, Anthony. He
died Tuesday evening, September II,
1910, at the age of 81 years, s months
and 10 days. His father died when he
was 4 years Of age. His mother lived
10 be "a years of age. The family
consisted of five brothers and two Sis
ters, of whom the youngest, Ernest
Bahlke of Dumerhutte, Germany, and
George Bahlke of this city, survive
him. The death of the father neces-
STATED the children caring for them
selves at an early age. Anthony was
apprenticed to learn the trade OF a
blacksmith; this he faithfully pursued
until reaching the age OF Is years,
when he was conscripted and COM
pelled to enter the Prussian military
service, in which he served three
years. He was in the army at the
time OF the revolution and insurrection
Of lS4S and saw military service in
the stirring events of that period. He
learned to detest the forced military
service of his native country and he
secretly, with thousands of others, i'm
migrated to America to enjoy the
blessings of freedom and opportunity.
He was married in June, 1884, to
Mary Humid. This faithful companion
for over SO years, preceded him by
death August 30th, 1910. To this
union five children were born, two of
whom died in infancy, and OF whom
Mrs. James Soaring of Pewamo, Mich
igan: Albert w. Bahlke of Portland,
Oregon, and William A. Bahlke OF
this city, survive him. Very shortly
after his marriage he left for America.
They were 4S days in making the voy-
age from Hamburg to New York,
upon what was then the best sail
boat crossing the Atlantic ocean. He
and his wife arrived in New York in
August, 1884, with the intention of
taking up their residence i'll Milwau
kee, Wisconsin, but illness detained
him at Detroit and their residence in
Milwaukee was abandoned He lived
in Detroit about one year, at the cor
ner of Grand River avenue and Sew
enth street, in house which, strange
TO relate, still remains at that place.
In 1855 he moved overland TO the viii
lage of Lyons, Ionia county, Michigan.
Here he engaged in his trade of
blacksmith. After accumulating
small amount of property he traded II
i'm 1860 for a farm of 80 acres upon
East Plains, two miles from the viii
lage Of Pewamo Here, by hard, un-
tiring energy he and his ambitious
wife made and saved a competency.
He cleared large farm from the will
derness; he then beautified it with fine
farm buildings and all the things
which 60 to make farmers life at
tractive In 1886 the health of Mrs.
Bahlke failed and she was taken TO
the Alma Sanitarium in July of that
year. This necessitated their leaving
the farm. and he built the brick house
on East Superior street i'll this city,
where they lived for five years In
1901 Mrs. Bahlke regained her health
sufficiently to again take up the work
OF home life. They then bought a
home and moved to the village of
Pewamo, where they resided until
Mrs Bahlke's health again neces
STATED the giving up of Housekeeping.
In September, 1908, they went 10 live
with their daughter, Mrs. James Scar
ing Of Pewamo In April, 1909. they
came to live with their son. William,
in Alma, where they remained from
that time until their death. The de-
ceased inherited the faith of the
Lutheran church. While living upon
the farm near Pewamo he joined the
Presbyterian church then existing at
Pewamo, and was a member of it un-
til it surrendered its charter in 1882,
since which time he had not identified
himself with any religious society.
In politics he was a strong Demo
crat. He never was discouraged by
party defeat, but always hopeful. The
Democratic victories of recent date
pleased him immensely. and he gave
them an Importance which they do
not deserve.
He was hard working. industrious
man. 1t was his greatest ambition to
save enough for his old age, to be in
dependent and give his children adj
vantages which were denied him. He
succeeded in doing all this. About
three years ago he divided substan-
tial portion of his savings among his
children and retained sufficient to
amply care and provide for himself
His health was always excellent, On
the 10th day of. August, 1910, .hs was
!. Ill and felt the necessity. OF going TO