C. A. Bohnenkamp, 1899 Biography

BOHNENKAMP, MCMAHON, DERNER, RICKE

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 12/3/2006 at 19:05:29

I translated the following biography from Der Carroll Demokrat, a German-language newspaper published in Carroll, Iowa, between about 1874 and 1920. It was originally published in a special 25th Anniversary Edition of the paper on Friday, 20 September 1899. Information in brackets and notes at the end are my own explanations. It reads as follows:

C. A. Bohnenkamp, Editor of the Breda Watchman

This man was born in Breda on the 23rd of February, 1877, the oldest son of John H. and Caroline Bohnenkamp. He attended public school there and graduated in June 1891. He then learned the trade of typesetter in the office of the Breda Watchman under Dell Cummings, and soon thereafter he became the foreman. He worked about two years for J. J. McMahon, the editor at that time, and then he purchased the paper for himself and took it over on the 1st of January, 1894. He has worked at the business for eight years, and since 1894, he has been a successful editor. Although it was difficult when he first took over the business, since then he has assured the future of the newspaper. On the 15th of February 1898, he married Miss Christina Ricke, a fine young lady from Breda. A few months ago, the young couple purchased the property of Mr. Frank Derner, where they now have settled to live, respected by the townspeople of Breda.