November 20, 1900 - October 16, 1977
"A seed hidden in the heart of an apple is an orchard invisible." (Welsh Proverb)
Jesse Frederick Bohlinger was born to become a farmer and my grandfather. His plantings in life grew a wonderful orchard of fruit....invisible to many; yet known by God, by those who loved him, and especially by me, his granddaughter. Jesse is and always will be the best man I have ever known on this earth. The following tribute is expressed with the deepest appreciation of all that he shared to those around him.
Jesse was born the oldest of 5 brothers and 3 sisters in Indiana. At an early age he moved with his family to West Branch, Michigan. Education was available through grade school, and then he had to help his mother, Matilda and his father, John run their 200 acre farm. Apart from growing toward farming, he did have the opportunity to carve out some of the first roads in the Detroil area by use of horses and tools. He liked to reminisce of those days and of the good meals at the Boarding House after a long day of work. Jesse told me that his wish would have been to become a lawyer. But it wasn't in the cards for him. I believe he was very smart and could have made a great lawyer.
Here are some of the traits Jesse had: Courage, God-Fearing, Fair-minded, Very Honest, Sense of Humor, Kindness and Compassion, Loving, Stubborn, Smart, and most of all--a fantastic worker.
Jesse was a remarkable man. He did it all at the farm--machinery fixing, planting and harvesting crops, raising cows, chickens, pigs, gardens, cultivating row after row after row of corn, ditch digging for irrigation, weed pulling and stone removal from the fields....and much more.
Jesse was a marvelous neighbor. Every Sunday he visited someone who was recovering from some illness, or shut in, etc...Many people in Ogemaw County knew him. Preceding him was his honest reputation. If any hay was sold, or oats, or cabbage, he would never cheat anyone.
Jesse married late in life, at the age of 47. He married my grandmother, Pearl. They did not have any children of their own. Jesse became my 'adopted grandfather' and my guardian for legal reasons.
He was strict, demanding, worked hard and expected others to work hard. If anyone could teach by example, it was him. In between all his chores and farm work, he took time to teach me how to tell time. He encouraged me to do everything the best that I could because that's the way he worked on things.
Jesse was my favorite person because he was non-judgmental. He liked me for myself and he enjoyed my personality. He was proud of anything I accomplished--which, of course, spiraled into many accomplishments because I loved to make him proud.
Jesse was a good man, caring son, caring sibling, special husband, a farmer, and a Catholic who loved the Good Lord.
Jesse's roots were firmly planted in the ground. He was, to me, like one of the elements! He became a true, abiding continuous force in my world as I lived with him and Grandma from 6th grade through high school graduation. This time of Grace bonded us as grandfather and granddaughter.
Let me emphasize remarkable! Why? When Jesse was a little boy (perhaps at birth) he contracted polio. As a result, he had to become left-handed. His entire right side was noticeably weaker than his left side. So, everything he did for the rest of his life was affected by the polio. His German/ stubborn attitude helped him to get things accomplished. He never gave up and was quite proud that he could work and learn and do like everyone else. His handwriting became his personal signature because it was something he had to strive so hard to conquer.
Once I purchased him a tie that could be clipped on, so he could get dressed more easily for Sunday. He became practically irate and told me to throw that stupid thing away. At that moment I learned that he had great pride in his ability to use both arms to tie his own tie! I understood that I had to respect the victories which others may take for granted.
Since Jesse was a strong left-handed farmer, he told many others that I was his "good right arm"....You see, as his granddaughter, I preferred to work in the fields, ride on the tractor as he cultivated, pull mustard weeds from the oat fields for bonus $,load hay on wagons, and on and on, so as to be what I thought--a great help to him.
The farm life and my grandfather's steady care gained for me discipline, fortitude, appreciation for nature to the utmost, and enormous respect for life.
The fruit Jesse produced continues in one facet through every ounce of my being. I consider his God-given presence in my life a miracle. Jesse was and is my guardian angel.
Here are some pictures of him.
Oil Painting of Jesse driving his Farmall tractor into the barn.
West Branch Michigan...Jesse readies the plow horses.
A huge homemade silo full of October ripened ears of corn harvested.
The Barn, West Branch Michigan on M-55.
Jesse receives Communion at age 7 or 8. His clothes were hand-sewn by his mother from extra materials from his sisters' outfits.
Jesse (front right) married Pearl (front left) in 1947. One of the rare occasions for "no hat/cap".
His brother Melvin stands behind him.
Here is a poem that Jesse told me was one of his favorites....
ABOU BEN ADHEM
Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An Angel writing in a book of gold:
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the Presence in the room he said,
"What writest thou?" The Vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord
Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord."
"And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so,"
Replied the Angel. Abou Spoke more low,
But cheerily still; and said, "I pray thee, then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow men."
The Angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blessed,
And, lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest!
James Henry Leigh Hunt
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