William T. Bohnenkamp, who is now serving his second term as superintendent of schools of Carroll county, a position which he has filled to the general satisfaction of parents and pupils, is a native of this county, born March 5, 1879. His father, John H. Bohnenkamp, was born in Dubuque county, Iowa, and came to Carroll, Carroll county, and engaged in buying and selling stock with his brother, William Bohnenkamp, for a year. He then moved to Breda and entered business on his own account, being now proprietor of a meat market. The mother, Caroline Adeline (Bruning) Bohnenkamp. was born in Grant county, Wisconsin, a daughter of Clemence and Mary Ann (Arts) Bruning. Mr. Bruning arrived with his family at Carroll, Iowa, early in the '70s and took up his residence at Arcadia, later locating on a farm one mile south of Breda. Mr. Bohnenkamp, Sr., and his wife are both members of the Catholic church and he is also connected with the Roman Catholic Mutual Protective Association. He votes the democratic ticket and served as postmaster of Breda under President Cleveland's second administration. He has also very successfully filled the office of mayor of the town. He is now fifty-eight years of age and his wife is three years his junior.

Mr. Bohnenkamp of this review is indebted to the public and parochial schools for his preliminary education. He later became a student of the Breda high school from which he was graduated in 1896. He taught school for five years in district No. 3 of Kniest township and then became connected with his brother, Clemence A. Bohnenkamp, with The Breda Watchman. In the spring of 1903 he retired from the newspaper business and again resumed teaching, having charge of a school in district No. 1, Wheatland township, one year, and in district No. 2 of the same township three years. In the spring of 1907 he was elected principal of the Breda public schools and displayed such excellent ability that in November, 1908. he was elected county superintendent of schools, a position which he now fills. He is an earnest and capable friend of education and having had large practical experience as a teacher and school superintendent is well qualified to discharge the responsible duties required of the head of the educational system of the county.

On the 27th of November, 1901, Mr. Bohnenkamp was married to Miss Margaret Spoo, who was born in Clinton county, Iowa, March 30, 1883. They have five children, John H., Mildred A., Elizabeth B., Mary P, and Clara E. Mr. Bohnenkamp was born and reared within the folds of the Catholic church and has always endeavored to shape his life in accordance with its teachings, being a member of St. Joseph's church at Carroll. He was a charter member of St. Bernard's Court, No. 873, C. O. F., and also holds membership in the Roman Catholic Mutual Protective Association and the Knights of Columbus. In politics he adheres to the democratic party as the organization he believes is best adapted to guide the destinies of the nation. He has been largely controlled by an abiding sense of personal responsibility and is justly regarded as one of the most useful and trustworthy citizens of Carroll county.

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