My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Portrait and Biographical Record of Berrien and Cass Counties, Michigan published by Biographical Publishing Company in 1893.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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JOSEPH U. DOHM, a representative general agriculturist and a lifetime resident of the State, has long been numbered among the substantial farmers and enterprising men of Sodus Township, Berrien County, Mich. Our subject was born April 14, 1842, in Kent County, Mich. His father, Joseph Dohm, an energetic and hard-working man, was a native of Germany. The paternal grandparents, born, reared and married in the Fatherland, were in humble circumstances and trained up their children to habits of thrift and strict economy. Joseph Dohm received a primary education in the schools of the Old Country and reached manhood an earnest and ambitious man. Intelligently realizing the greater possibilities offered by the land beyond the sea, he resolved to emigrate to America. At twenty-two years of age, bidding farewell to his home, parents and the associations of youth, he embarked for the United States and, landing safely upon the shores of the New World, soon found his way to the State of Michigan.

Settling near Grand Rapids, in Kent County, the father found ready employment as a laborer, but after some length of time bought a farm and engaged with ardor in the pursuits of agriculture. A man of resolution, he labored unceasingly, until, enfeebled by age, he was obliged to retire from the active duties of life. He yet survives at the advanced age of eighty-five. While sojourning for a time in Ohio, Joseph Dohm met and married Miss Eva Rosine Hadel, a lady born in Germany, both of her parents being natives of Germany. Father and Mother Dohm made their home in Michigan and were blessed by the birth of eight children, seven of whom yet survive. Henry married Jeanette Buckley and lives in Grand Travis, Mich. Catherine is the wife of Theobold Umlor and resides in Grand Travis. Phillip married Mary Sullivan and also makes his home in Grand Travis; Rosanna is the wife of George Rosel and lives at Grand Travis; John married Ida Hawkins, Solomon is single; and Joseph U., our subject, completes the list of brothers and sisters who gathered in the old home so many years ago.

Joseph U. Dohm obtained a primary education in the schools of the neighborhood and assisted his father in the labor of the farm. As his boyhood days were devoted more to work than play, he grew up industrious and self-reliant and was well-fitted to make his own way in life when he attained to his majority. In choosing for himself a vocation in life, he decided to remain a farmer, and, having a practical knowledge of the tilling of the soil, has achieved success in the pursuit of agriculture. In 1886, he located in Sodus Township, Berrien County, and this part of the State has since been his permanent home, and the farm he now cultivates is his constant residence. In 1864, our subject was married to Miss Mary Haskin, daughter of Asel Haskin. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dohm have been born eight sons and daughters, all now surviving. Ephraim married Miss Nettie Jewel, and now lives in Pipestone Township, Berrien County; Mary Helchey married Lawrence Johnson and resides in St. Joseph, Mich.; Er, Sissily Gwendoline, Otis N. Joseph and Rosalyn are all living at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Dohm are not connected with any denomination, but are ever ready to extend aid to deserving charity or benevolent enterprise. Our subject is a valued member of the Patrons of Husbandry, and politically is in sympathy with the Prohibition party. Mr. Dohm is interested intelligently in all the vital questions of the day and is an excellent citizen, assisting in the promotion of needed improvements and progressive advancement of his home locality. He is esteemed and has a large circle of friends.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the Portrait and Biographical Record of Berrien and Cass Counties, Michigan published in 1893. 

View additional Berrien County, Michigan family biographies here: Berrien County, Michigan Biographies

View a map of 1911 Berrien County, Michigan here: Berrien County Michigan Map

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