Blodgett, Alvin 1841-1920

BLODGETT, SMITH, KAUFMAN, CAPLE

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 12/18/2011 at 11:06:04

ALVIN BLODGETT

Alvin Blodgett was born at Downer's Grove, Ill., Dec. 15, 1841. Died at Colorado Springs, Colo., Feb.12, 1920. He was married to Ophelia J. Smith, Sept. 1, 1866. To this union were born eight children, six now living: Foster, of Bellingham, Wash., P.L., of Minneapolis, Minn., Ernest, of Haxtun, Colo., Archie, of Denver, Colo. and Mrs. Etta Kaufman and Mrs. Grace Caple of Colorado Springs, Colo.

Many Grinnell people will also remember Clara, who died here in 1903.

Mr. Blodgett moved with his parents to Iowa in 1853, lived three miles west of Central City until 1893, when he moved to Grinnell to give his family the best school privileges and two of his boys graduated from Grinnell College and three of this children graduated from Grinnell high school, and five were in Grinnell College at some time.

He moved to Colorado Springs in 1905 where he has since resided.

The Blodgett family has a long line of noble ancestry. Alvin is the last of the eighth generation who have lived in this country.

It is recorded in the Fitzwilliam, Mass., Record, that Thomas and Susanna Blodgett with two children came here from London in the ship "Increase" in 1635 and settled in Chelmsford, Mass. And it was indeed pioneer days when Joseph Blodgett crossed the Mississippi river in a ferry boat at Dubuque and drove an ox team into Linn county onto a place which his children and grandchildren so long held. There were but a few families in the county at that time, and there were many privations and bitter experiences but the will-power and stability of character of such as they conquered and they indeed laid lasting foundations for future generations.

This record would not be complete without also a reminder that the church as well as the home and community was a part of the family life. In the true sense of the word the Blodgett family is a Christian family whose very life from 1635 has been woven into the life of the Congregational church, the church of the Pilgrim faith.

The Congregational church at Central City, the larger one at Grinnell the Second at Colorado Springs had a pillar of faith in the presence and life of Alvin Blodgett.

He has enjoyed the companionship of his wife, one of God's best wives and mothers, for 53 years. His children rise up and call him blessed.

He had given himself unsparingly for their best interests.

Services were held at Central City and Colorado Springs.

He was buried in the Blodgett cemetery near Central City located on the old family farm.