Blodgett, John 1827-1898

BLODGETT, CASE

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 11/10/2010 at 18:51:15

LeMars Sentinel
Issued Mondays and Thursdays
Thursday, April 7, 1898

A PIONEER GONE
The Death of Deacon John Blodgett Removes One of the Earliest Settlers of
the Northwest from Our Midst

The death of John Blodgett which occurred on Sunday last at Independence
removes from this earthly dwelling place one of the earliest settlers of the
northwest and no history of the early days in this section would be complete
without the embodiment of his personality in its pages. Nearly thirty years
have passed since his foot first trod on what was then one vast expanse of
prairie and his eyes gazed on the beautiful and fertile valleys which
stretched for miles and miles in their broad expanse and seemed to invite
but the hand of man to come and utilize their richness for himself and
generations yet unborn. When Deacon Blodgett first settled in LeMars there
was one store kept by John Gordon where Trenery’s machine shops are now
located. Now this city has a population of over 6000 souls with flourishing
industries of all kinds and a country thickly settled.

John Blodgett was born of good old Puritan stock, his forbears having been
residents of America for several generations. He was born at Bucksport,
Maine, in July 1827, where he was reared, educated and entered into young
manhood. He was united in marriage in February 1852, with Miss Sarah Case, a
native of his own state and lived in wedded happiness with her until her
death in 1871. Mr. Blodgett engaged in mercantile pursuits in his native
town until the year 1868, when he in company with B. O. Forster, another
pioneer settler of LeMars, came to this section of the northwest. They
decided in their own minds that here was a favorable spot for a railroad
junction and their prognostications proved correct, as the Iowa Falls and
Sioux City railroad, now the Illinois Central, came through here in 1869 and
the St. Paul and Omaha followed later. They located here and opened a
general store on the site where the Ashwood dairy now stands and in 1869
John Blodgett was made the first postmaster of this place. When the railroad
came through here they moved the store building to the corner of Sixth and
Main, where Mr. Hentges is now located. On that spot in partnership with
Frank Flint, Mr. Blodgett built the brick block, known as the Flint block to
all older residents and sold out to them later. After getting settled Mr.
Blodgett returned east and brought his family out to the new home. After
dissolving business connections with the Flints, Mr. Blodgett engaged in the
real estate business and was associated with J. R. Mitchell and later with
Wm. J. Wernli in the land, loan and insurance business for a number of
years.

He suffered the loss of his wife, who departed this life in May, 1871, and
was buried on the homestead east of town and laid in the city cemetery when
it was laid out. Mr. Blodgett was one of the organizers of the
Congregational church in this city, the church being organized in 1871 and
was during his life one of its pillars and most ardent supporters.

Mr. Blodgett was of a retiring disposition and shunned the glamour of
popularity. He was deeply imbued with religious convictions and a man of
the highest integrity and honor, who believed firmly in the doctrine of
eternal justice. With those whom he became well acquainted he was a
steadfast friend and many a friend and old resident hearing of his death
breathed a sigh and words of regret at the passing away of good old Deacon
Blodgett.

Two or three years ago he fell into ill-health and went to his old home to
receive care and attention and then came west to other relatives, but sad to
say the powers of his once active mind were failing and he became subject to
hallucinations and it was thought advisable by those nearest him to send him
to the asylum at Independence (Iowa) for medical treatment which was done a
few months ago, but he grew worse and succumbed to what might be called a
general breakup of both the physical and mental system. He leaves three
children, a son, Albert M. Blodgett, of Kansas City, two daughters, Mrs.
Grace H. Mason, of Rochester, N. Y., and Mrs. E. J. Hainer, of Aurora, Neb.
He has also two brothers living, Rev. Henry Blodgett of Bridgeport, Conn.,
who was for forty years missionary in Africa, and Mr. Geo. Blodgett, who
resides at the old home in Bucksport, Maine.

Ex-congressman Hainer and Mrs. Hainer, his daughter of Aurora, Neb., and his
son, A. M. Blodgett, of Kansas City, were present at the funeral which was
held Tuesday afternoon at the Congregational church and which was very
largely attended by old settlers and others who had known the deceased so
long and well.

The floral tributes of love and reverence for the deceased were many and
beautiful in design. Rev. W. J. Suckow, of Hawarden, formerly pastor here,
delivered a short and impressive eulogy on the deceased and Rev. W. J.
Johnson delivered the sermon. Referring to the life of the deceased he said:

July 11, 1827-April 3, 1898 –between these dates lies the life story of John
Blodgett, whose remains are before us today, but whose blessed record is
embalmed in the archives of the skies and by it, he being dead, yet speaketh
to us.

Our brother first saw the light of day in the town of Bucksport, Hancock
county, Maine, a little town built on the banks of the Penobscot river. He
was one of eight children and of these two brothers and two sisters are
still living. One of his brothers, Dr. Blodgett, now of Bridgeport, Conn.,
has been well known in religious circles, he having been for forty years a
missionary in China in the employ of the American Board of Foreign missions,
during which time he translated the Holy Scriptures into one of the native
tongues,

Mr. Blodgett in his youth received an academic training in an institution of
learning at Easthampton, Mass. When 27 years of age, he married Miss Sarah
Case, of Kenduskeag, Penobscot Co., Me., with home he lived until 1871, when
God called her to himself, leaving behind her the husband and three
children.

In 1868, Mr. Blodgett came into the undeveloped west, and after examination
decided to make this his home. In 1869, he moved with his family to LeMars,
and built the first store before the town itself was platted. Here he has
remained ever since, identifying himself with every phase of the growth of
the city. In all the hardships of pioneer life—and only those who have
passed through them know what those hardships are—he shared, believing like
Moses of old that this great country had a splendid future before it.

John Blodgett was preeminently a religious man. From his youth he had joined
himself with the people of God, to think the thoughts of God and to work out
the ideals of God. In his young manhood and in his childhood’s home, he had
served the church of his choice in the responsible office of a deacon,
looking after both the temporal needs and the spiritual welfare of her
membership. Coming west, he brought with him his religious purpose and in
1871, we find him joining with others in a call looking toward the
establishment of a Congregational church in LeMars. The church was
established and Brother Blodgett was elected deacon at the same time and
continued then in office uninterruptedly for fifteen years. It is only the
barest truth to say that no one factor has been so potent in the growth of
this local church as the life and thought and labor and prayers of deacon
John Blodgett.

About a year or so ago failing health caused his retirement from the
activities of the church and business life, thought his interests in these
things was unabated and through these months he as been slowly sinking, till
at last God called him home to his crowning and to rest.