Charles W. Lohman, merchant at Lohman, Mo., was born in the city of St. Louis in 1848, being the eldest born of eight children of Charles F. and Henrietta (Limsenbart) Lohman, who came from their native land of Germany to St. Louis about 1844. Here the father worked at the tinsmith's trade for about three years, and after his marriage started for the State of California, but on arriving at Jefferson City he was persuaded to stay there and engage in the mercantile business. [A more complete sketch of his life is given elsewhere in this volume.] Charles W. Lohman worked in his father's mercantile establishment, and attended school in Jefferson City, being also a student in Bryant & Stratton's Business College in St. Louis. In 1869 he began clerking on his father's steamboat "Viola Belle," and continued in this capacity until the boat sunk in 1871. After working with his father one year he conducted a general store in Jefferson City four years, and in 1874 came to Stringtown and bought out the business of E. H. Linsenbard. Here he was successfully engaged until 1885. Prior to this, in 1882, he built a store-house on the branch railroad recently completed through Cole County, and established a station there, which took the name of Lohman. He opened the store in partnership with Mr. Kautsch, the firm name being Lohman & Co. In 1885 Mr. Lohman moved his stock of goods from Stringtown to Lohman, and shortly after became sole possessor of the establishment. He was postmaster of Stringtown from 1875 until the office was abolished in 1882. March 1, 1882, he received the commission as first postmaster of Lohman, and has since held the office. He keeps a large stock of goods, and is doing well financially. He votes the Republican ticket, and is an active and enterprising young man. In 1873 he wedded Elizabeth, the daughter of Jacob Steininger, who came to Cole County at an early day. By her he has one son, Charles F. He and wife are members of the Lutheran Church.

Transcribed from:
History of Cole, Moniteau, Morgan, Benton, Miller, Maries, and Osage Counties, Missouri, Goodspeed Publishing Company (1889).