Bohlen, Henry, 1810-1862

Bohlen was born in Bremen, Germany on October 22, 1810, while his parents were traveling in Europe for pleasure. His father, Bohl Bohlen Luehrs, was a German-born (1754 in Schiffdorf, Lower Saxony, Germany) naturalized citizen of the United States and domiciled in Philadelphia. His mother was Johanna Magdalene Oswald Hahn, a German-American born 1770 in New York. When Bohlen was very young, his father placed him in the military Academy in Dgelft, Netherlands. In 1832 however, he was called to the U.S. before he had completed his studies. He did not return to Germany to complete his studies. After emigrating to the United States, Bohlen became a rich dealer of foreign wines and liquor.

When war with Mexico broke out he accepted a position on the staff of his friend and companion, General Worth, as a volunteer Aide-de-camp. During the war he participated in all the battles under Major-General Winfield Scott. When the war ended he resigned his commission and returned to selling liquor in Philadelphia.

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