Francis Xavier Bohnert

Francis Xavier Bohnert

• Francis Xavier Bohnert was born on 9 December 1832 in Germany.
• Francis Xavier Bohnert arrived circa 1850, according to the 1910 census.
• He married Margaretha Deck, daughter of Heinrich Deck and Sussanna Katharina Nabinger, circa 1852.
• Francis Xavier Bohnert and Margaretha Deck, appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Pine Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Other members of the household included Elizabeth Bohnert, Laura J. Bohnert, Katherine Bohnert, Margaret Bohnert, Joseph H. Bohnert and Franklin Pierce Bohnert.
• He was a shoemaker, according to the 1870 census.
• Stream Pollution . . . This reminds us of a unique case in Lycoming County in 1879. A tannery located at English Centre discharged its vitriolic acids into Pine Creek. The fishes died. But worse than all, the wells were poisoned; an epidemic broke out; the babies died! They did not know any such thing as "infantile paralysis" then. Old people died, too. They called it "typhoid"! The rich and powerful tanners were appealed to, and asked to abate the nuisance. They curled up their presumptuous noses! Pine Township then was bankrupt, but they had a young attorney who did not care a bawbee for the tanners' trust, any more than Francis Shunk Brown needs to. The township constable was F. X. Bohnert, true as steel! On his information, prosecution was begun against the owner of the tannery. The bill was before the grand jury. Then occurred what should never occur. The defendant was permitted to go before the grand jury and tell them he would abate the nuisance, if they would let him off! The bill was ignored and the costs put on the county; but the nuisance was abated! Good luck to the poor little fishes! Perhaps through the pity for them and the respect for the powerful sporting guild of Pennsylvania, our streams may be kept pure, and typhoid fever and "infantile paralysis" be restrained. This is the sane kind o "preparedness," to save, not to destroy life! It is worthy the efforts of statesmen! [Pennsylvania 1917 Justices' Law Reporter, Vol. XV, page 74. Volume XV, page 74.]
• Francis Xavier Bohnert and Margaretha Deck appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Pine Township, Pennsylvania. Other members of the household included Katherine Bohnert, Laura J. Bohnert, Joseph H. Bohnert, Franklin Pierce Bohnert and William Blake Bohnert.
• He was a laborer, according to the 1880 censuis.
• Francis Xavier Bohnert and Margaretha Deck appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Pine Township, Pennsylvania. Other members of the household included William Blake Bohnert, Orpha (?) and Alzie Bohnert.
• He was a farmer, according to the 1900 census.
• He officially witnessed the death of Margaretha Deck on 8 August 1907 in Pine Township, Pennsylvania.
• Francis Xavier Bohnert became a widower at the 8 August 1907 death of his wife Margaretha Deck.
• The following appeared on 27 April 1909 in the Williamsport Daily Gazette and Bulletin: Notice to the supervisors of Pine township and the county commissioners was given Monday morning of a view respecting the change proposed in the public road down little Pine creek in Pine township, near the farm house of Frank H. Bohnert. The board of viewers includes E. J. Eldred, C. L. Weigel and George Wittig, and the view will be made May 5 at 2 o'clock.
• Jacob Becker and Caroline Bohnert appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Callicoon Township, Sullivan County, New York. Other members of the household included Francis Xavier Bohnert, Preston A. Becker.
• Francis Xavier Bohnert died on 9 March 1915 at age 82 in Morris Township, Tioga County, Pennsyvlania, . His death was officially witnessed by Franklin Pierce Bohnert.
• He was interred at Oregon Hill Cemetery, Pine Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.
• Research Note: At least one family researcher has as parents of Frank X. Bohnert, Jacob Bohnert and Waldburga Metzinger, but their stated birthdates are inconsistent with their being the parents of a child born in 1832.

• Last Edited: 16 Sep 2015