BLOSSOM, R. S.

BLOSSOM, CORDINGLY, RAIT

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 5/24/2004 at 13:41:18

Biography reproduced from page 710 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

In his activities as cashier and manager of the Farmers Savings Bank of Fenton, Iowa, R. S. Blossom represents conservative financial methods and a constructive policy which influences the growth and progress of the business interests of his community. He was born in Algona, Iowa, November 29, 1885. His father, Jacob R. Blossom, is a native of Ohio and came to this state with his parents and brother, C. H. Blossom, who is now one of the prominent and progressive citizens of Burt, Iowa, where he is acting as manager and cashier of the Burt National Bank. Jacob R. Blossom was reared in Kossuth county and received his education in the public schools. For some years he was engaged in business in Algona with his brother. In that city he married Miss Alice Cordingly, a native of Canada, who removed to Iowa at an early date. Mr. Blossom was active and prosperous as a business man in Algona for a number of years before he removed to Spencer where he remained only a short time. He sold out his business interests in that city and moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he is now living and where he is engaged in a real-estate enterprise.

R. S. Blossom was reared in Algona and educated in the public schools of that city. He has been identified with banking since he began his career and his years of experience have gained for him gratifying success. His first position was that of assistant cashier in the Bank of Lonerock, where he remained for three years. At the end of that time he went to Ringsted and served for two years as cashier in a bank in that city. He came to Fenton in order to assume duties with the Farmers Savings Bank as cashier of that institution, and he is now influencing the policy of this enterprise by his sound judgment and conservative financial methods. He is a stockholder and director in the bank, and is numbered among the prominent citizens of his city. He brings to his occupation a well tested honesty, a detailed knowledge of modern finance in all its aspects and a capacity for concentrated work, which have been valuable assets to the institution with which he is connected and to the business world of Fenton.

On December 29, 1909, Mr. Blossom was united in marriage to Miss Nelle E. Rait, who was born and reared in Iowa. They are the parents of one daughter, Margaret, and one son, Clair. The family reside in a beautiful home in Fenton which Mr. Blossom erected. By his careful and conservative business methods and by his progressive tendencies Mr. Blossom has attained prominence in many lines of activity in the city in which he lives. He has dealt extensively in real estate and has made this an important part of his business career. He takes an interest in politics, voting the democratic ticket on national issues but reserving his independence in local affairs. He was elected and is now serving as a member of the board of village trustees, and to this phase of his activity brings the same energy which has marked his career in business and financial circles.

In the course of his life spent in Kossuth county he has witnessed the progress which that section has made, and has been a factor in its expansion. He is still a young man, but his youth is of the strenuous and energetic quality which is a synonym for success in this modern age. He has begun well, and the prophecy of his early years cannot fail of its natural fulfillment.