Biographies
(Transcribed by Sharon Wick)

Source:
 A Portrait and Biographical Record of
Mercer and Van Wert Counties, Ohio
Containing Biographical Sketches of Many Prominent and Representative Citizens,
together with Biographies and Portraits of all the
Presidents of the United States
and Biographies of the Governors of Ohio
CHICAGO: A. W. BOWEN & CO.
1896

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HERMAN PULSKAMP, senior member of the firm of H. & J. Pulskamp, and a well known citizen of Celina, was born in Cincinnati, Aug. 26, 1859.  The firm of H. & J. Pulskamp are the largest dealers in furniture in the city, and have their store on Fayette street, between Walnut and Sugar streets.      Mr. Pulskamp is a son of the late H. H. Pulskamp, ex-treasurer and ex-probate judge of Mercer county, and who was for many years one of the leading citizens of the county.  Herman Pulskamp was three years old when brought to Mercer county by his parents.  His education was received at Maria Stein, Mercer county, in both English and German, which he finds of greater use than would have been an English education alone.  Early of life he learned the wagon and carriage-maker's trade with his father, and in 1876 removed to Celina and went to work with Bernard Grieve, and later for William Cron.  In 1889 he established himself in the furniture business on Fayette street, in partnership with his cousin, Joseph L. Pulskamp, in which year they erected their present large business block, which is a two-story brick building.  39x100 feet in size, which is one of the largest and finest business houses in Celina, and which is an ornament to the city.  The first floor is used as a show room, and is well stocked with furniture of all the latest designs.  The second floor is utilized as the upholstering and undertaking department, and the entire establishment is complete in all its details.      Mr. Pulskamp was married Sept. 6, 1881, to Miss Katie Heim, daughter of Henry Heim, of Mercer, now deceased.  To their marriage there have been born two sons and two daughters, as follows:  Frederick, Clara, Elnora and Ada.  Mr. Pulskamp and his family are members of the Catholic church, and for five years he was secretary and treasurer of the church of which he is a member - Saint Mary's Catholic church, of Celina.  He is a director in Saint Joseph's society, and is also a member of the of the German Aid society.  In politics he is a democrat, but has never sought official distinction or preferment, devoting himself strictly to his own private business, family and religious duties.  In his business methods he is strictly correct and honorable, always selling goods on their merits, and in this way has won for himself a reputation for square dealing which is extended to all the surrounding country, and is of great value to him in every way. Source: A Portrait & Biographical Record of Mercer and Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. - 1896 - Page 473

JOHN BERNARD PULSKAMP, assistant cashier of the Commercial bank, of Celina, and one of the most prominent of the young men of that place, was born in Marion township, Mercer county, Ohio, Dec. 7, 1863.  He is a son of the late HERMAN H. PULSKAMP, formerly a well known citizen of Mercer county.      Herman H. Pulskamp was a native of Hanover, Germany, and was born July 25, 1830.  In 1862 he removed to Mercer county, Ohio, and located in the village of Saint John, where he engaged at the wagon-maker's trade.  In 1863 he was elected justice of the peace for Marion township, and held this office until 1875.  In 1875 he was nominated by the democratic party for treasurer of Mercer county, and was elected by the usual large majority.  In 1876 he took possession of his office, removing his family to Celina, and was re-elected treasurer in 1877, serving two full terms of two yeas each.  In 1881 he was elected probate judge of the county for a term of three years, and at the expiration of his first term was re-elected and served altogether, as probate judge six years.  He also served as a member of the city council, as a member of the school board, and in various other capacities, all of which indicates the estimation in which he was held by his fellow-citizens.  He was a member of the Roman Catholic church, and was always true to his religious convictions.  He was married in Cincinnati, in 1854, to Mary A. Schafer, who was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1833, and who came to the United States in 1848.  Her death occurred in Celina, July 1, 1886, and his death occurred Aug. 21, 1891.  To this couple there were born eleven children, seven of whom are still living, viz.:  Mary C., wife of Henry Goecke, of Marion township; Herman, furniture dealer and undertaker of Celina; J. Henry, dry-goods merchant of Celina; John Bernard, the subject of this sketch; Bernhard, a practicing physician of Saint Bernard, near Cincinnati, Ohio; George F., at home, and Edward H.      John Bernard Pulskamp came with his parents to Celina when in his thirteenth year.  He attended the German public schools at St. John's, Marion township, and afterward the public schools at Celina, thus securing much more than an average education, both in English and German.  This he finds very useful in his office of cashier of the bank, as many Germans prefer to speak their own mother tongue when it is convenient to do so, even when talking to an English educated person.  In 1881 Mr. Pulskamp entered the Commercial bank at Celina as clerk, and in 1888 became a member of the company.  At this time he was made assistant cashier, a position which he has held ever since.      Mr. Pulskamp was married Aug. 30, 1887, to Miss Annie M. Desch, an adopted daughter of Frederick Stelzer, of Celina.  To this marriage there have been born four children, as follows:  Priscilla M., Raymond M., Marinus H. and Esther M.  Mr. Pulskamp and his family are members of Saint Mary's Catholic church of Celina.  He is a popular man, possessed of excellent qualities, and has many warm friends.  He is a democrat in his politics, and owns 200 acres of land in Mercer county, and is also interested in the oil business. Source: A Portrait & Biographical Record of Mercer and Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. - 1896 - Page 473

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