William R. BLOSS - History

BLOSS, REINHARDT, HENN, RISK, BRIGHT, STEELE, ROBINSON, COLEBY, KENDALL, HAYES

Posted By: Joey Stark - Jefferson Co. Volunteer
Date: 5/27/2006 at 08:52:56

"Portrait & Biographical Album of Jefferson & Van Buren Counties", pub. 1890, Page 225

WILLIAM R. BLOSS, one of the oldest carpenters in years of experience, in Fairfield, was born in Rockingham County, Va., Dec. 3, 1822, and claims an almost pure Germanic origin. His parents, Conrad and Margaret (REINHARDT) BLOSS, were both born in the Shenandoah Valley, in Virginia, the father in 1797, the mother in 1805. His maternal grandfather owned a powder mill, and during the War of 1812, made powder for the United States troops. About 1828, Conrad BLOSS and wife removed from Virginia to Ohio, locating in Preble County, where he followed farming until his emigration to Iowa. In 1835, he made a tour westward, visiting several of the counties in this State, but making no location. Sixteen years later he and all his family went to Des Moines County, improved a farm, and there lived until about 1863, when he came to Fairfield, where he spent his last days. He died at the age of eighty.... His wife is still living in Fairfield at the advanced age of 85 years.... Methodist Church... There is a remarkable fact connected with their family, which consisted of eight daughters and three sons, all being yet alive save the youngest, who died at the age of forty years.

William R. BLOSS is the oldest of the family... His first labors in this city was to build the HENN House, now the home of the President of Parsons College. He also erected RISK's, BRIGHT's, and STEELE's business blocks.... In Des Moines County, in March, 1857, Mr. BLOSS wedded Mrs. Mary ROBINSON, a native of Ohio. Her maiden name was COLEBY, and by her first marriage she had one son, Frank ROBINSON. By her second union were born four children: Estella, deceased wife of A. KENDALL; Harry, who is employed on the railroad; Elizabeth, who died at the age of three years, and William H., who is employed in the Fairfield Furniture Factory.

In 1870 the mother of this family died, and three years later Mr. BLOSS married Miss Mary E. HAYES, a native of Maryland.... Since 1886, he has in connection with his other business, carried on a greenhouse, the best in the city....

[Also posted to the Jefferson County Documents board]

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.