William C. F. Blossfeld, b. 7 Mar 1852

GARMERSHAUSEN, SCHINDEL, HARMES, SEEMANN

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 2/21/2004 at 16:37:58

William C. F. Blossfeld, Postmaster of Spragueville, is one of its leading business men, and stands high in the community. By trade he is a first-class blacksmith, and carries on a successful business in the manufacture of carriages and other road vehicles, including cutters and sleighs, doing mostly custom work. He also operates as agent for farm machinery. He is an expert mechanic, in fact is a typical American, popular and well-to-do, having a pleasant and comfortable home and happy in the enjoyment of the respect and confidence of all who know him. In character and disposition, he may be taken as one approaching Longfellow's "Village Blacksmith."

Our subject was born in Milwaukee, Wis., March 7, 1852, and is the son of Carl and Mary (Garmershausen) Blossfeld, the latter a native of Prussia, Germany, and the former born in Hanover. They emigrated to the United States prior to their marriage which took place in Milwaukee, of which the father became a resident in 1850. He was a harnessmaker by trade, and has done a large amount of P.H. Best, the celebrated brewer of the Cream City. He died of cholera in Milwaukee in 1852, leaving two sons - William C. F., our subject, and Frederick. The mother was subsequently married to Mr. Carl Schindel, and in 1854 removed to Beaver Dam, Wis. Of her untion with Mr. Schindel there were born six children, who are all residents of Dodge County, Wis. Frederick the own brother of our subject, is also a resident of that county.

Mr. Blossfeld grew up with limited educational advantages having to travel four miles to school. He became familiar with the German language which he still speaks fluently. His first regular work was on a farm, and he followed agricultural pursuits until twenty years of age, when he took up blacksmithing. He came to Iowa in 1872, settling first in Clinton county, and worked at his trade in Teeds Grove. He took up his residence in this county five years later, locating at Spragueville on the 29th of January, 1877, and at once established a shop which he has since conducted. He was married March 17, 1878, to Miss Minnie, daughter of Frederick Harmes, but a shadow soon fell over his happiness, his bride being taken ill and dying seven weeks after her wedding.

Our subject contracted a second marriage, Dec. 23, 1878, at Sabula with Miss Mary Seemann, daughter of Henry Seemann of Sabula. Mrs. Blossfeld is a native of Sabula, Iowa, born March 17, 1856. Of this union there are three children living, namely: Theresa, Henry and Lottie; they occupy a snug home in Spragueville, and Mr. Blossfeld does an annual business of $1,000 besides his trade in plows and harvesters. He is a Democrat, politically, and was appointed to his present office of Postmaster by President Cleveland in November, 1885. He has served as Treasurer of the School Board of Fairfield District, and both he and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the German Lutheran Church.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois)