PETER BOHL

Sacramento County

Biographies

PETER BOHL

PETER BOHL., a pioneer real-estate and insurance agent, at No. 623 J street, Sacramento, is one of the most substantial citizens of the state, inheriting as he does the highest qualities of the German-American character. His father, George Bohl, was a Bavarian by birth, and came with his family to this country in the early days, settling first in Pennsylvania and afterward in Cincinnati, Ohio, where the subject of this sketch was born, October 23, 1830, the fourth of five sons and the first American born in the family. Subsequently the father moved to Brown county, near Georgetown, on a farm, where he reared his family, and finally to Covington, Ky., where he died at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. It is a conspicuous fact that a large proportion - perhaps the largest proportion – of men who achieve success in life and born and reared upon farms, spending their early life only amid rural scenes. Mr. Bohl was twenty years of age when he left the farm and started out in commercial life for himself, engaging at Peoria, Ill., as a clerk in a mercantile house. An older brother having come to California and 1851, and located in Sacramento as a baker and afterward as a merchant, Mr. Bohl followed his example arriving February 6, 1853. Embarking on the Oregon, at Panama, he had a narrow escape from yellow fever, which prevailed on board. Arriving in San Francisco, February 5, he came at once to Sacramento, clerked a few months for his brother, and then bought an interest in a stable and hay yard on J street, between Tenth and Eleventh streets, known as the Central hay yard. Shortly afterward he purchased his brother’s interest in the bakery, and was engaged there for the period of eight years. For the next five years, he was a dealer in groceries and grain. Early in 1871 he embarked in the real-estate and insurance business, associated with the house of W. P. Coleman, the banker, and in this relation he operated up to the death of the latter in 1902, when the business was sold.

Mr. Bohl has been identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church for thirty-eight years, during which time he has occupied many positions of trust and responsibility, leading in all local measures of the church for the advancement of Christianity. First, in 1867, he was elected steward and trustee; subsequently, in 1876, he was a delegate to the general conference of his church held in Baltimore, Md., during which session he also visited the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia; and he was an alternate to the general conference of May, 1888, held in New York City. He was active in the establishment of the Young Men’s Christian Association in Sacramento. For twenty years he held a trusteeship in the University of the Pacific at College Park, in Santa Clara county, but resigned about 1900, having been re-elected every four years. This institution of learning has grown to large proportions, so that it now contains between four and five hundred students, and has magnificent buildings, including an observatory with all its appliances. The money used for the erection of all of these magnificent buildings was donated by liberal and generous-hearted men and women. It is now the most extensive institution of Christian education of this coast.

The marriage of Mr. Bohl was solemnized July 30, 1855, at Sacramento, uniting him with Miss Julia Hauck, a native of Germany. July 30, 1905, was memorable as their golden wedding anniversary, which comparatively few couples live to enjoy. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bohl are hale and hearty and have a host of friends and well-wishers. Three children blessed their union: Amelia C., who is well known in the musical world of California, now living at home; Laura J., Mrs. A.B. Plucker, of Tacoma, Wash., and Lizzie Eveline, who died at the age of eleven years, in 1885. The family residence of N street, opposite the state capitol, is one of the most commodious and tasteful homes in the city. Politically, Mr. Bohl is a Republican, though he has never taken an active part in the deliberations of his party.

Transcribed by Kathy Porter.

Source: “History of the State of California and Biographical Record of the Sacramento Valley, California” by J. M. Guinn. Page 643. Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1906.