Johannes Bodenmann (1858 - 1939)

Born 4 Oct 1858 in Herisau, Appenzell, Switzerland

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 19 Jun 1939 at age 80 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois

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Biography

Johannes Bodenmann was born on 4 Oct 1858 in Herisau, Appenzell, Switzerland.^[1][2] He was the son of Johannes Bodenmann and Anna Kathrina Mueller.

According to his passport application, Johannes came to the United States in 1877 but also stated he emigrated in May of 1879. He became a naturalized citizen on 4 May 1888.^[1]

In 1890 Johannes founded The Chicago Embroidery Company bringing the art of Swiss embroidery to Chicago. Due to its prominence as a transportation hub, and with the meat packing industry providing raw materials for leather and felt, Chicago became a regional center for the garment industry. In the early days, the company used Swiss looms, also known as Schiffli embroidery machines, to manufacture Swiss lace, which was popular for ladies clothing and linens.

Johannes married Bertha Schoch sometime after 1880 and they had two children, Olag and John, Jr. His wife, Bertha, died on 25 Sep 1892 in Chicago, Illinois, five days after the birth of their son, John.

From the Chicago Tribune, June 20, 1939:

Johannes Bodenmann, 80 years old, prominent in Swiss groups in Chicago, died suddenly of a stroke in his home at 532 Aldine avenue last night. He was born in Switzerland and came to Chicago sixty-one years ago. He was a skilled craftsman in Swiss embroidery work, for which he won many prizes. He was founder of the Chicago Embroidery company, 1715 Chicago avenue, of which he was president at his death. Mr. Bodenmann was head of the Schweizer Verein (Swiss association), the Schewizer Liderkranz, and the Schweizerische Wohltaetigs Geselleschaft. A son, John, survives.^[3]

Born
4 Oct 1858. Herisau, Appenzell, Switzerland.^[4][5]

Residence
1880 - Union, Hudson, New Jersey, USA. Marital status: Single Relation to Head of House: Son. ^[4]

Occupation:
1890 - Founded the Chicago Embroidery Company. Chicago, Illinois.

Died
19 Jun 1939. Chicago, Cook, Illinois. ^[2][5][6]

Buried
22 Jun 1939. Forest Home cemetery, Forest Park, Cook County, Illinois, USA. ^{[2] [5]}

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington D.C.; NARA Series: Passport Applications, January 2, 1906 - March 31, 1925; Roll #: 1315; Volume #: Roll 1315 - Certificates: 74376-74749, 29 Jul 1920-30 Jul 1920
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Johannes Bodenmann Find A Grave: Memorial #101621303
3. ↑ Chicago Tribune; Publication Date: 20 Jun 1939; Publication Place: Chicago, Illinois, USA; Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current. URL: https://www.newspapers.com/image/372692274/?article=46d71713-e88b-4598-be6b-eb142202fdfd&focus=0.38561887,0.189392,0.5067606,0.2906177&xid=3355
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} 1880 Census; Place: Union, Hudson, New Jersey; Roll: 785; Family History Film: 1254785; Page: 374C; Enumeration District: 060; Image: 0449
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2} Illinois, Deaths and Stillbirths Index, 1916-1947
6. ↑ Cook County, Illinois Death Index, 1908-1988 Ancestry.com