The Pohlman family immigrated from Germany to the United States in the late 1800s, settling first in Ohio near Cincinnati. They were part of the second wave of German immigration and came to pursue the American Dream. The family later moved to Indiana and the father, John Pohlman, joined the Marine Corps and was stationed in California, where he met and married his wife. They had four children and lived in southern California before retiring in Rancho Cucamonga. Some family members remained in Ohio while others moved to Canada.

1. The Pohlman Family
Created by
Amanda Pohlman

2. Germany
• From what I understand,
my ancestors on my
father’s side immigrated
from Germany. Although I
do not know where
exactly, my last name
Pohlman is of German
descent which derives
from “Am Pohle”
meaning: from swamp
lands.

3. German Dishes
These recipes have been passed down in my family and are foods that because my
ancestors brought with them I still eat to this day.
Apfelstrudel (apple strudel) Eintopf (German stew)
Kasespatzle Sauerbraten

4. 2nd
Wave Immigration
• My father’s parents came to America
during the second wave of immigration.
Although I am not sure an exact time
frame, based on age I would determine it to
be the late part of the 1800’s.

5. The American Dream
• The Pohlmans first immigrated over here to America to
start anew. They had heard about the American Dream
and wanted a piece. They dreamed of the pursuit of
happiness and decided that it was here in this land of
opportunity that they wanted to start their family.

6. Extra!! Extra!!!
Major headlines during the time my ancestors reached Ohio
• 1894 Oct 17, Ohio national guard killed 3 lynchers while rescuing a black man.
(MC, 10/17/01)
• 1897 Sep 11, A strike by some 75,000 coal miners in Pennsylvania, Ohio and
West Virginia ended after 10 weeks. Concessions included an eight-hour work day,
semi-monthly pay, and the abolition of company stores (which were famous for over
charging workers). The day before, about 20 miners were killed when sheriff's
deputies opened fire on them in Pennsylvania.
(AP, 9/11/97)(MC, 9/11/01)
• 1904 Sep 15, Wilbur Wright made his 1st controlled half-circle while in flight with
Flyer II. On Sep 20 he flew a full circle for the first time.

7. Ohio
• The Pohlmans’ once
in America settled in
the state of Ohio near
Cincinnati. It is there
that my grandparents
started their family
and had 10 children,
my dad being the
youngest.

8. A large family
• Mr. and Mrs. Pohlman had 10 children, 6 boys
and 4 girls, spanning over a 20 year span. John
Pohlman (my father) was the youngest and
therefore, took a lot of the teasing from his older
siblings.

9. Indiana
Once most of their
children were grown
with families of their
own the Pohlmans
then moved to
Indiana the state
directly to the east of
Ohio.

10. Catholic School
John Pohlman and the rest of his siblings went to
all boys and all girls Catholic School. It was
here that they were required to wear uniforms
while under the strict supervision of the nuns
and clergyman.

11. The Big Move
• John Pohlman Joined
the Marine Corp at
the tender age of 18
and was stationed to
a California base.
Having never been
out of Ohio this was
sure to be a major
shift in the young
John Pohlman’s life.

12. California

13. Love of his life
• It was in California that
John Pohlman met the
love of his life Pamela.
They were together only
a matter of months before
tying the knot. They
knew right away they
would be together forever
and the last 56 years
proves they were onto
something.

14. Building a life
• Over the next 20 years John and Pam lived in
Southern California in the San Dimas area.
• They raised 4 beautiful children, but when their
youngest daughter Sandra died tragically at the
tender age of 20 they knew their carefree
southern California days would never be he
same.
• Left to raise their daughter, Sandra’s daughter,
Pam and John moved.

15. Central California
San Luis Obispo County

16. Templeton, CA
• John and Pam made their new home in Central
California, in a small town by the name of Templeton.
Only 2,500 population at the time they moved up there.
The cultural change made a huge impact on them and
the life they had been accustomed to in the hustle and
bustle of Southern California.

17. Retirement
• John and Pam have since
shifted into this final
chapters of their lives
living comfortably in a
senior community in the
Rancho Cucamonga
area. Having always
wanted to get back to the
Southern California area,
Rancho Cucamonga was
just the place to retire to.

18. “Back East”
• Although John, the
youngest of ten decided
to plant his roots in
Southern California area,
some of his brothers and
sisters kept to what they
knew and stayed in the
Ohio area and
surrounding states. Our
family refers to this area
as “Back East”

19. Canada
• Many of John
Pohlman’s siblings
also moved into the
Canada area and
started their own
families there.

20. What do I think of all this?
• I am very proud of my German heritage
and am eager to continue with this family
history project to find out even more that I
didn’t already know. I have always
wanted to be able and travel back to
Germany and see where my ancestors
came from and immerse myself in a
cultural that is my birthright.