Bliedorn, William

BLIEDORN, WULF, BLUNK, SCHUNTER, WALKER, NIENABER

Posted By: Volunteer Subscribers
Date: 4/15/2003 at 18:18:50

Source: "The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated" published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

WILLIAM BLIEDORN.

William Bliedorn, a well-known general merchant and postmaster of Bliedorn Station, Berlin township, is a native of Clinton county, born in Orange township, on the 27th of January, 1873, and is a son of Martin and Julia (Wulf) Bliedorn. The father was born in Holstein, Germany, and was twenty-two years of age when, in 1864, he came to the United States and located at Grand Mound, Clinton county, Iowa, where he followed the carpenter’s trade for about a year. He then engaged in farming in Orange township for nine years, and at the end of that period removed to Berlin township, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section fourteen. He erected most of the buildings upon that place and made many other improvements, so that he had one of the model farms of that locality. There he engaged in general farming and stock-raising with good success throughout the remainder of his life. His death occurred March 25, 1901. He was a supporter of the Bliedorn Lutheran church, which was built upon a part of his farm, he having donated one acre of ground for the churchyard. In politics he was independent, but usually voted the Republican ticket, and he filled the offices of school director some years and road commissioner several terms. Fraternally he was a charter member of Grand Mound Lodge, No. 214, K. of P., and also belonged to the Modern Brotherhood of America at the time of his death. Public-spirited and progressive, he advocated all measures that tended to advance or improve the community in which he lived, and he was recognized as one of its most valued and useful citizens. Mrs. Bliedorn, who was a devoted wife and loving mother, died in 1892. In their family were four children, of whom three are still living, namely: (1) Augusta is the wife of Henry P. Blunk, who owns and operates a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Berlin township, and they have four children, Magnus, Walter, Reinhardt and Carl. (2) William, our subject, is next in order of birth. (3) John is engaged in farming in Berlin township.

Mr. Bliedorn, of this review, grew to manhood upon his father’s farm, and was married, November 16, 1895, to Miss Alvina Schunter, a daughter of Christian Schunter, of Welton township, this county. She died on the 8th of May, 1899, and he was again married, March 25, 1901, his second union being with Miss Hannah Walker, a daughter of Peter and Emma (Nienaber) Walker. Her father, who was a farmer by occupation, died May 7, 1900, but her mother is still living, and now resides in Nobles county, Minnesota. They were the parents of nine children, all of whom are still living. The father of our subject was killed by a train of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad the same day he was married.

In 1898 Mr. Bliedorn was appointed the first postmaster at Bliedorn Station, he having secured the postoffice at that location, which was named in his honor, and embarked in general merchandising, erecting a store building on the southeast corner of the homestead farm. Here he has since successfully engaged in business, having built up a good trade, which is constantly increasing. He is a wide-awake, energetic young business man, and is highly respected by all who know him. He served one term as road commissioner in Berlin township. Religiously he is a member of the Lutheran church, and socially is connected with Grand Mound Lodge, No. 214, K. of P.