Ohlinger, Franklin, 1845-1919

Franklin Ohlinger was a Methodist minister. He, and his wife, Bertha were missionaries to China and Korea.

From the description of F. Ohlinger's articles in Blätter scrapbook [microform] : and B. Ohlinger's articles in Centennial scrapbook 1870-1897. (Rutherford B Hayes Presidential Center). WorldCat record id: 68780946

Methodist minister and missionary to China and Korea.

From the description of Rev. F. Ohlinger's articles 1885-1917 [microform] : the ideal scrapbook. (Rutherford B Hayes Presidential Center). WorldCat record id: 68780401

Franklin Ohlinger was born in Ohio in 1845. He served as a missionary under the Methodist Episcopal Church Foreign Mission Board beginning in 1870, based in Fuzhou. He was a founder of the Union Theological School and the Anglo-Chinese College in Fuzhou. Bertha Schweinfurth Ohlinger was born in Michigan in 1856, married Franklin in 1876, and served as a Methodist missionary in China. In 1887 the Ohlingers were reassigned to Korea due to conflicts with missionary colleagues in China. Franklin returned to China as an independent missionary in 1894 and was later reinstated as a Methodist missionary. He started an orphanage in Antau and was involved in educational and translation work, teaching at the Fukien Provincial College in 1909.

From the description of Franklin and Bertha Schweinfurth Ohlinger papers, 1868-1973, n.d. (inclusive). (Yale University). WorldCat record id: 702146121

• 1845: Franklin Ohlinger born near Fremont, OH; attended Wallace College in Berea, OH
• 1856: Bertha Schweinfurth born in Saginaw, MI, daughter of John Schweinfurth, a Methodist circuit rider
• 1870: FO arrived in Foochow, serving as missionary under the Methodist Episcopal Church Foreign Mission Board
• 1871: FO organized school in Foochow, later known as Union Theological School of Foochow
• 1874: FO established Zion's Herald, Methodist newspaper published in Shanghai
• 1876 Apr: FO married BSO while on furlough in the U.S.
• 1876 Oct: Arrived back in Foochow; engaged in literary and educational work; edited and contributed to several Methodist periodicals
• 1877 Jul: Gustavus Ohlinger born
• 1881 Jan: David Birchard "Bertie" Ohlinger born
• 1881: FO co-founded, with Diong A-Hok, the Anglo-Chinese College in Foochow; FO was first president and BSO taught.
• 1884 Dec: Wilhelma Bertha "Willa" Ohlinger born
• 1886: Furlough in U.S.
• 1887: Ohlingers reassigned to Korea by the Mission Board, apparently due to FO's conflicts with missionary colleagues in China
• 1890: Started the first publishing house in Korea, founded the Korean Religious Tract Society, edited the Korean Repository
• 1893: Bertie and Willa Ohlinger became ill and died, were buried in Korea; Ohlingers returned to U.S.
• 1894: After nearly two years of lecturing in the U.S., FO returned to Hinghua, China as an independent missionary; started the Rebecca McCabe Orphanage in Antau. FO was reinstated as a Methodist missionary in 1897.
• 1899: BSO returned to China, served at Rebecca McCabe Orphanage; FO worked with Methodist Press
• 1901 Feb: Contance Ohlinger born
• 1901: FO and BSO transferred to Foochow Conference; FO Dean of Theological School
• 1904: Returned U.S.; FO then returned to China and was stationed in Shanghai while BSO and Constance lived for a time in Geneva, Switzerland
• 1905: BSO and Constance returned to Shanghai
• 1907: BSO and Constance in Japan for a time, due to BSO's health
• 1908: FO, BSO, and Constance returned to U.S.
• 1909: FO returned to China, taught at Fukien Provincial College, Foochow
• 1911: Serious illness caused FO's return to U.S.
• 1912 - 1915 : Ohlingers lived in Toledo, OH; FO lectured, translated, sought work from the Methodist mission board
• 1915 - 1919 : Ohlingers lived in Ann Arbor, MI
• 1919: FO died in Cincinnati, OH
• 1934: BSO died in Columbus, OH

From the guide to the Franklin and Bertha Schweinfurth Ohlinger Papers, 1867-1973, (Yale University Divinity School Library)