Individual Details

Death

SOURCE: THE MONTICELLO EXPRESS....JULY 8, 1937....PAGE 3
JOHN BOHLKEN WAS CALLED BY DEATH TUESDAY
The Major Portion Of His Life Had Been Spent In Jones County
John Bohlken, for many years a Jones county resident, passed away Monday, July 5, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Gerd Graffe, at Mallard. His death was caused by dropsy and the frailties attendant upon old age.
The body of Mr. Bohlken was brought to Monticello this morning and was taken to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Batchelder at Sand Springs. Funeral services were held in that home at 1:30 p.m. and at 2:15 p.m. at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran church. Rev. Paul T. Gutknechl, pastor of St. John's church, had charge of both services. Burial was made in the Sand Hill cemetery.
Born In Germany
The birth of Mr. Bohlken occurred April 27, 1855 in the town of Reepsholt, Hanover, Germany. He grew to young manhood in that town and was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church.
He was married to Anna Christina Kammerman July 11, 1875. Six years later Mr. and Mrs. Bohlken emigrated to the United Stats and arrived in Monticello from Germany in May 1881. They lived on various farms in Scotch Grove township and other points in Jones county from 1881 until 1913. In March 1918, the removed to Hastings, Minn. and later to Prescott, Wis. It was on a farm near the latter town that Mrs. Bohlken passed away January 1, 1921. She was buried at the Sand Hill cemetery in Wayne township.
Children
Mr. Bohlken is survived by seven children: Mrs. Gerd Graffe, Mallard, Iowa; Henry Bohlken of Prescott, Wis; Mrs. John G. Bohlken of Hastings Minn.; Diedrich Bohlken of Scotch Grove, Iowa; Mrs. Adolph Hanken of Prescott, Wis; Mrs. John Batchelder of Sand Springs, Iowa; and Fred Bohlken of Marion, Iowa.
In addition to his children he is also survived by 32 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. Mr. Bohlken was held in the highest esteem by a large circle of friends, many of whom were present at his funeral today. Following the death of his wife, Mr. Bohlken made his home with his children, especially with Mrs. John Batchelder of Sand Springs to Mallard to live with Mr. and Mrs. Gerd Graffe. Since early this spring he had not been in the best of health and gradually grew weaker until he was called to the Great Beyond.
The death of Mr. Bohlken removed one of the sturdy German settlers from this community who aided in the development of Jones county during the past fifty years.