Lewis E. Bahmer, who lives in New Philadelphia, was born in Bakersville, this county, March 1, 1875, a son of Valentine and Elizabeth (Schweitzer) Bahmer. He is of German lineage, his grandparents on both sides of the family having come to America direct from the fatherland, the two families settling in Bucks county, Tuscarawas county, Ohio. Here Valentine Bahmer, the father of our subject, was born July 11, 1841, while the birth of the mother occurred May 16, 1844. The father was a shoemaker by trade, an occupation which he followed in his youth in various cities of Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. He was also a veteran of the Civil war, having served in Company K, Fifty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry from October 13, 1862, until September, 1863 when he received his discharge. On January 3, 1866, he wedded Elizabeth Schweitzer, and in 1869 the young couple took up their residence in Bakersville, where they continued to reside thereafter. The father passed away July 1, 1908, highly esteemed and respected by all who knew him. They became the parents of eight children namely: Phoebe, the wife of dr. J. D. Lower, of Coshocton; Charlie V., a resident of Baltimore; William, deceased; Lewis E., a resident of Adams township; Alfred F., deceased; Harry J., who resides in Columbus; Carrie B., who is a twin sister of Harry J., and the wife of Rev. D. S. Carpenter, of Conesville; and Mayme, who resides at home with her mother.

Lewis F. Bahmer received his education in the district schools, which he attended regularly through the school year while in the primary grades, but when he reached the age sufficient to be of assistance to the father on his farm his attendance was necessarily somewhat irregular, being confined to those months of the year when farming operations were suspended. When he became of age he worked for his father for two years on the farm, after which he began farming for himself, renting from his father the place which he now owns. He engaged in a general farming and met with marked success, so that ultimately he was able to secure title to his present home, in addition to which he owns eleven acres of land in Tuscarawas county.

On October 7, 1900, Mr. Bahmer was married to Miss Clara Partz, who was born in Bucks township, Tuscarawas county, Ohio, October 10, 1879. She is the daughter of Andrew and Margaret (Regula) Partz, both of whom were natives of Tuscarawas county, where the father was born September 3, 1848, and the mother July 4, 1851. They still reside there on a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres which they own. Six children were born to their union namely: C. A., a medical practitioner of Baltic, Ohio; Clara, the wife of our subject; Milton F., who is attending school in Springfield, Ohio; Edwin D. and Adela A., both of whom are engaged in teaching school and reside at home with their parents; and Edward, who is deceased. Mr. And Mrs. Bahmer now have three children, Starling P., who was born November 13, 1901; Margaret, who was born March 7, 1904; and Leonora J., who was born August 8, 1906.

In politics Mr. Bahmer is a stalwart democrat, never swerving in his allegiance to the party, for he believes that the principles of the organization contain the best elements of good government. Fraternally, he is a member of Bakersville Camp, No. 5216, M. W. A., and religiously both he and his estimable wife are members of the English Lutheran church. Mr. Bahmer occupies a leading position in the ranks of Coshocton county’s younger citizens and is popular with a host of friends.

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