Ferdinand Blust (1834-1910)

BLUST

Posted By: Debra Scott Hierlmeier (email)
Date: 11/10/2008 at 14:01:53

FERDINAND BLUST 1834-1910
The passing of an Old Settler

Ferdinand Blust, one of our oldest business men and most respected citizens, died at his home in Avoca, Sunday morning, March 13, 1910, aged 76 years and five months, surrounded by his family. The funeral services were held at the family home Tuesday afternoon, at 2 o’clock where a large congregation of neighbors and friends assembled to pay their last respects and honor to one, whose departure is like the removal of an old land mark from our midst, one whose familiar face for over a quarter of a century was seen as regular upon our streets as time, and who both old and young alike, were met with a smile and a kind word.

A little over a year ago Mr. Blust retired from actual business life, turning over his business to his son, Henry. He continued to visit the store, the place he loved and to meet and talk with old neighbors and friends, but his health gradually failed him and he was compelled to stay at his home. For the past few months he has been a great sufferer, on account of a sore on one of his feet that has bothered him for years. His death was not unexpected, to his family, who knew his condition and did everything in their power to make his last hours as comfortable and pleasant as possible. Mr. Blust’s youngest daughter, Mrs. Ed McCauley, surely deserves a great deal of credit, she having giving up her own home for the past year, to help minister to the care of her aged parent.

Ferdinand Blust was born in Mosbach, Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, October 13, 1834, where he lived until 1864, when he came to America and on October 2, of the same year he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Maria Gabelman in Chicago. Her they resided until March 1874, when they moved to Avoca, where they lived until his death March 13. To this union were born ten children, two having died in infancy.

Mr. Blust leaves to mourn his loss a kind and faithful wife, eight children, seven grandchildren, and one great grandchild. His children are: Mrs. Pauline Christsen, Mrs. Ed McCauley of Avoca; Mrs. Henry Wiseman of Persia, Iowa; William C., Henry F., Charles P., and Nobert Blust of Avoca, and Fred E. Blust of Marne, Iowa.

From the Scrapbooks of Bessie Gross Gustafsen
Source: Avoca Journal Herald