Johann Bohlmann (1812-1901)
Johann Bohlmann (b.1812 Thedinghausen, French Kindom of Westphalia - d. 1901 North Adelaide, South Australia) was a master tin metal worker from Bremen who arrived in South Australia aboard the "Heerjheebhoy Rustomjee Patel" in 1846 and lived in South and North Adelaide until his death.
Johann Bohlmann | |
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 Johann Bohlmann and his granddaughter Kitty circa 1895 | |
| Born | Johann Büssenschütt 1 March 1812 Thedinghausen, French Kingdom of Westphalia |
| Died | 10 December 1901 North Adelaide, South Australia, Australia |
| Resting place | North Road Cemetery, South Australia |
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| Other names | John Bohlmann; John Bohlman |
| Occupation | Tin metal worker (Blechenschläger) |
| Spouse(s) |
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Biography
Family
Johann Bohlmann had a wide and extended family in South Australia. His mother was Gesche Kolwes of Hope Valley, and his two half brothers, Heinrich Wohlers and Carl Kolwes, also lived in that district. His uncle Johann Hinrich Büssenschütt also lived in the north east suburbs of Adelaide. A niece, Gesine Wohlers married Håkan Linde, and another niece, Gesine Kolwes, married Wilhelm Gustav Kindermann.
Johann married Anna Louise Hartmann in Bremen in 1841, prior to leaving for South Australia. The couple had the following children:
- Franz Carl - 11 Jul 1842 Bremen - 1843 Bremen
- Anna Louisa - 25 Jul 1844 Bremen - 22 Feb 1847 Adelaide
- Johann - 13 Feb 1848 Adelaide - 2 Nov 1869 North Adelaide
- Jacob Conrad - 11 Mar 1850 North Adelaide - 16 Jul 1880 Adelaide
Johann's wife Anna Louise died in 1854 and Johann married the recent arrival Catharina Seecamp in 1855. The following children were born from this second marriage:
- Gesina - 27 Nov 1855 North Adelaide - 1 Sep 1858 North Adelaide
- Julius - 22 Jul 1857 North Adelaide - 29 Oct 1933
- Anna Catharina - 9 Jul 1859 North Adelaide - 15 Jul 1939 Adelaide
- Adelheit - 1 Oct 1861 North Adelaide - 20 Dec 1952
- Gesiene - 12 Aug 1865 North Adelaide - 15 Sep 1939
- Henry - 30 Nov 1867 North Adelaide - 26 Jul 1949
- George Albert - 27 Apr 1870 North Adelaide - 24 Dec 1938 Adelaide
Residences in the City
Evidence of residence is limited before 1848. The death of Johann's daughter in February 1847 has them living in Gilbert Street, South Adelaide, and the Kermode Street, North Adelaide, property where Johann lived until his death in 1901, was purchased on the 20th of October 1848, though it appears that Johann had been making payments on it before May 1848. The lack of Citizen Rolls before 1852 and complete Assessment Books before 1850 mean that there can be no detailed list of residences. The likely residences are:
| Dates | Place | Current Address | Co-ordinates |
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| October 1846 - Feb 1848 | Gilbert Street, South Adelaide | (exact location unknown) | |
| March 1848 - 1852 | Union Street, North Adelaide (Acre 710, near the corner of Kermode Street) | ||
| 1852 - 1901 | Kermode Street, North Adelaide (Acre 724) | 152-154 Kermode Street | -34.91114, 138.595408 |
Work in the City
Johann initially worked as a tinsmith in his own business, having a workshop on his Kermode Street property from 1848 - 1852. In 1860 he joined the SA Railways as a tin plate worker and, apart from a break between August 1863 and April 1864, worked for them at the Adelaide Construction Department until his retirement on 4 August 1888 at the age of 76.
Published Obituary
From the Adelaide Observer, Saturday 21 December 1901:
" Mr. John Bohlmann, a colonist of 55 years, died at his residence, Kermode street, North Adelaide, on Tuesday night, at the age of 90 years. The deceased gentleman was born in Bremen, Germany, in 1811, and arrived in South Australia by the ship Patell in 1846. Soon after coming to this state he joined the Locomotive Department, which was then established at Bowden. Mr. Bohlmann retired in 1888, having retained the respect and regard of his superior officers and fellow-workmen. He resided in North Adelaide for 51 years, and up to within a few days of his death he enjoyed fairly good health. He has left a widow, three sons—Messrs. H. Bohlmann, of H.M. Customs; J. Bohlmann, of Messrs. H. Muecke & Co., Port Adelaide; and Mr. G. Bohlmann—and three daughters."[1]
This obituary, and an abridged version, appeared in a number of South Australian newspapers.
References
- ↑ "Concerning People". Adelaide Observer. Adelaide, South Australia. 21 Dec 1901.