JOSEPH C. BLUNK

CONLY, SOPHER, LEWIS, KNOWDE, PORTER

Posted By: Tim S. Dupy (email)
Date: 8/25/2002 at 18:55:24

JOSEPH C. BLUNK

Joseph C. Blunk, prominently connected with industrial enterprises, has devoted his entire life to contract work, concentrating his energies largely upon railroad construction, masonry and street work, not only in Ottumwa, where he makes his home, but in other sections of the country as well.

He was born in Ottumwa, May 25, 1867, and is a son of Joseph and Margaret (Conly) Blunk, who were natives of Indiana, born September 6, 1838, and January 11, 1838, respectively. They were married in Illinois on the 24th of April, 1860, and the wife died October 30, 1869, after which Mr. Blunk married Sarah Ann Porter, who passed away in 1910. His death occurred July 23, 1912, when he had almost reached the ripe old age of seventy-four years. He had removed to Bloomington, Illinois, with his parents when a lad of nine years and resided there until he enlisted for active service in the Civil War in the fall of 1861, when about twenty-three years of age, joining the Fourth Illinois Cavalry, with which he served for three years and six months, or until honorably discharged after the close of hostilities. He participated in all of the principal battles in which his regiment took part and was particularly fortunate in that he was never wounded. He was with the army at Shiloh and at Corinth and went with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea. After the war, or in 1866, Mr. Blunk became a resident of Ottumwa, where he resided until his death. Here he engaged in contract teaming business and conducted a dray line for about ten years. About fifteen years prior to his death he retired from active business and spent his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest. His political support was always given to the republican party, for he believed that its principles contained the best elements of good government. Fraternally he was connected with the Grand Army of the Republic, and for thirty-six years he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Mr. Blunk had a family of four children by his first marriage: George, who was born in January, 1861, and died September 30, 1862; Evaline, who was born August 29, 1865, and died July 14, 1866; Joseph C.; and Henrietta, who was born September 29, 1869, and died on the 1st of February, 1870. There were also two children by his second marriage: Amanda May, now the wife of B. Sopher of Ottumwa; and Hattie, who died at the age of three years.

Joseph C. Blunk was born and reared in Ottumwa and has here spent his entire life. When fourteen years of age he started with his father in contract work and has since been engaged in business along that line, largely doing railroad construction work and masonry and street work. In fact, he takes contracts for heavy work of all kinds both in and out of Ottumwa. He has done much street paving and throughout the years has been accorded a liberal and gratifying patronage.

On the 9th of August, 1893, Mr. Blunk was united in marriage to Miss Estella May Lewis, who was born in Ottumwa in 1874, a daughter of Fred T. and Alice (Knowde) Lewis, the former a native of Iowa and the latter of Maryland. They were among the early settlers of Ottumwa. Mr. and Mrs. Blunk have become the parents of five children: Donald J., Daphne, Estella May, Raymond and Alice. Mr. Blunk is independent in politics, supporting men and measures rather than party. His influence is always on the side of progress and improvement, and he believes that work relative to the

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general welfare should be carried steadily forward. Fraternally he is connected with the Elks and with the Odd Fellows and in those organizations is popular.

Published in the History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume II, S.J. Clarke, Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1914, Pages 587-589