My Genealogy Hound

HENRY P. BOEHM, proprietor of the Champion Mills and the feed store at No. 112 West Main Street, in Benton Harbor, was born in Van Wert County, Ohio, January 4, 1863, and in his infancy was taken to Indiana by his parents, Paul P. and Mary (Hoffman) Boehm. The father, who was a man far above the average in intellect, was a native of Germany, having emigrated to America about the year 1857. In 1875 he removed to Michigan and settled in Sodus Township, Berrien County, where he operated the Champion Mills, built by David Rector. In his youth he had learned the trade of a miller, and his operations in that line were more than ordinarily successful. His death in 1886 was a loss to the community, in which he was known as a man of probity and nobility of character. His widow still lives and makes her home in Benton Township, Berrien County.

Henry P. is the fifth in order of birth among the surviving members of his father’s family. His childhood years were passed in Indiana and Michigan, where he gained the rudiments of his education in the schools of the home neighborhood. Early in life he learned the milling business of his father, and soon gained a practical knowledge of the business in which he has ever since engaged. For a time he rented and operated the Cowles Mill, on Pipestone Creek.

In 1885, Mr. Boehm again returned to the Champion Mills, and two years later he purchased the property, and has since operated it with success. The principal products of the mill are corn and buckwheat. In April, 1893, he opened a feed store in Benton Harbor and has since transacted a large business in that line among both the citizens of the city and the people throughout the surrounding country. In 1892 he built a cider-mill in connection with the gristmill, and has since that time engaged in the manufacture of cider and vinegar, with an output of eighty barrels per day. As a business man, he displays good judgment in his investments and superior executive ability. He has conducted his enterprises upon such methods as have commended him to his customers, and richly merits the success which has crowned his efforts.

The marriage of Mr. Boehm took place December 27, 1887, to Miss Katie Enos, of Millburg, Benton Township, Berrien County, the daughter of Ira and Cornelia Enos. Mr. and Mrs. Boehm have one daughter, Norva. A Democrat in his political belief, Mr. Boehm has never accepted official honors, preferring to devote his attention to his business. In all the relations of life, social and commercial, his career has ever been marked by a high standard of integrity, and the success which has crowned his well-conducted efforts has been earned by the application of honorable principles to all his transactions.