Joseph E. L. Luhan

b. 21 February 1898
  • Joseph E. L. Luhan was born on 21 February 1898 in Manhattan, New York.
  • His name was recorded as Joseph Chmelicek until 1900.
  • Franz Josef Chmelicek and Emily J. Rezac appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Bronx, New York, at 1274 Avenue E. Other members of the household included Joseph E. L. Luhan, Josephine Emily Luhan, Elizabeth F. Luhan, Olga Marie Luhan and Emily E. Luhan.
  • Franz Josef Chmelicek and Emily J. Rezac appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Manhattan, New York. Other members of the household included Joseph E. L. Luhan, Josephine Emily Luhan, Elizabeth F. Luhan, Olga Marie Luhan and Emily E. Luhan.
  • Franz Josef Chmelicek and Emily J. Rezac appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Manhattan, New York, at 220 East 72nd Street. Other members of the household included Joseph E. L. Luhan, Olga Marie Luhan, Elizabeth F. Luhan and Emily E. Luhan. Also in the household was domestic servant Mary Korbel, age 19.
  • He was employed as an office clerk, according to the 1920 census.
  • The following appeared on 2 July 1931 in The Daily Star: [Died] Joseph F. Chmelicek, M. D., suddenly on June 30 at 24 Harvest street, Forest Hills, L. I., husband of Emily Luhan and father of Josephine, Betty, Olga, Emily and Joseph, Jr.
         Funeral services 10 a.m., Friday, July 3, at 204 East Seventy-second street, New York City. Interment private.
  • The following appeared on 2 July 1931 in The Daily Star: A funeral service for Dr. Joseph F. Chmelicek Luhan, 24 Harvest street, Forest Hills, who practiced in Manhattan for thirty-five years and who died Tuesday, will be held at 10 a. m. tomorrow at 204 East Seventy-second street, Manhattan.
         Dr. Luhan was sixty-four. He leaves his wife, Emily R; two sons, Joseph, Jr., and Arthur, and three daughters, Betty, Emily and Dr. Josephine Luhan, assistant professor of dentistry at Columbia University.
         A native of Bohemia, Dr. Luhan came to this country when he was nineteen. He was graduated from New York University, the Columbia College of Pharmacy, and the University of Prague.
         He was a United States pension examining surgeon, a veteran of the Spanish-American War, a member of the American Medical Association, the New York County and State Medical Societies, Masons, Shiners, Odd Fellows and several Bohemian organizations.
         Burial will be private.
         Note mention of son Arthur, and no reference to daughter Olga Marie Herman, although the children appear to be listed correctly in the death notice appearing on the same page.
  • The following appeared on 19 December 1956 in the Long Island Star-Journal: After hearing Mrs. Mimi Boomhower declared legally dead by a Los Angeles judge, a Rego Park brother-in-law expressed the belief that she was murdered for the diamonds she wore.
         Erle C. Herman Sr. of 61-10 Alderton street said he had been suspicious of foul play since the attractive, 48-year-old widow of Novice Boomhower mysteriously vanished from her Bel-Air Calif., home Aug. 18, 1949.
         "Mimi was always wearing three or four pieces of valuable jewelry worth around $25,000," Herman told reporters yesterday.
         "I think she was spotted by a person or persons who found out that she lived alone. I believe she was abducted in a car and murdered for those jewels," he declared.
         Herman's wife, Olga, said today she concurred in her husband's "suspicion," but added that Bel-Air police have thus far been unable to uncover a "single piece of evidence" which might substantiate it.
         Yesterday Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Harold W. Schweitzer, noting that the required seven-year statutory period had elapsed, declared Mrs. Boomhower legally dead.
         The judge appointed Herman executor of the Boomhower estate, consisting of $36,000 in government bonds. Under law the bonds will be held in trust for three years.
         A handwritten will dated march 1, 1946, leaves the estate in equal parts to a brother, Joseph L. Luhan of Paris, and three sisters -- Herman's wife, Olga; Mrs. Josephine Shomo of Gulfport, Fla., and Mrs. Betty Vogt of Morristown, N. J.
  • Last Edited: 4 Aug 2012