Bliedorn
Betty ( bettyjb@netins.net ) has sent us some wonderful info on Bliedorn from the booklet "100 Years of Faith, Family and Fellowship -- St. John's Lutheran Church, Bliedorn". In addition to information on the church, there is quite a bit on the Bliedorn settlement. Copies of the book are still available. You can email Betty for more info.
Introduction
The
community known as “Bliedorn” was settled predominately by Germans from the
Schleswig-Holstein area of northern Germany. It is interesting to note that the
name “Bliedorn” means a
thorny bush with white flowers. Bliedorn, located in the heart of Berlin
Township, was the only village in that township. Berlin Township, formerly
included in the township of Olive, was separated and created in February of 1856. During World War
1, the township name was changed from Berlin to Grant when anything suggestive
of Germany was considered offensive. Most of the land in Grant Township was
purchased by individuals from the government in the 1850’s, and a number of
the farms have been handed down in the same families since that time.
The
small settlement of “Bliedorn Station” as it was known, developed into a
general store, post office, a blacksmith shop, and a creamery, making it a rural
trading center. The Bliedorn family was instrumental in developing this
settlement. Martin and Julia (Wulf) Bliedorn immigrated to the United States
from Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, in 1864 and settled in Orange Township near
Grand Mound. Martin followed the carpenter trade for about one year. He then
became engaged in farming in Orange Township for nine years. At the end of that
period he moved his family to Berlin Township where he purchased one hundred and
sixty acres of land in Section #14. He engaged in general tanning and stock
raising with good success until his death in 1901. On March 25, 1901, he
tragically lost his life when he was killed by a Chicago and Northwestern train.
Ironically, it was also the wedding
day of his son, William. A newspaper clipping from the Clinton herald is quoted
as saying, “His team became frightened at a Northwestern train which struck
the vehicle fair on the crossing, resulting in his instant death. Deceased was
well known in this county.”
William
Bliedorn, born January 27, 1873, in Orange Township, was appointed the first
postmaster after the post office was established on February 14, 1898 Mail was
hauled from Grand Mound in a two-wheeled breaking cart. The post office remained
in existence until March 15,
1905, when rural free delivery came into being.
The
absence of a German church in the area left many people without i church home.
An acre of land donated by Martin Bliedorn helped establish "Deutsche
Evangelical Johannes Kirche” of Bliedorn, Iowa, in Berlin Township of
Clinton County. A donation whose namesake has proved to be as long lasting as
the church that was built. According to the deed, Martin Bleidorn gave the acre
of land on which the church was to be built, which is contrary to many other
published articles which gave credit to his son, William, for the donation of
land.
Just
a few months after the start of the congregation, when it was decided that it
was time to build a church, the first “extra” fundraising event occurred.
Once the decision to build was made, members were asked to donate what they
could towards the cost of construction of the church. All members were also
asked to help with the actual building in whatever way they could to keep the
cost down. The record book lists every donation that went into the building
fund. Most donations ranged from $1.00 to $10.00; however, there were a few
$50.00 and $70.00 donations. On April 20, 1897, the congregation participated in
the laying of the cornerstone. On June 27, 1897, the church was dedicated. Early
church records show that the cost of the church and the house came to $1,100.00.
The members appointed to the building committee were: Matthew Gohlmann, Gottlieb
Nick, Wilhelm Schwartz, and J. C. Wulf.
Over
the years, many fundraising efforts have insured the survival of St. John’s.
When money was needed in the early church, men went around to collect donations.
When money ran out they would go around again. (It isn’t hard to imagine why
this method eventually evolved into a weekly event!)
Many
of the older members recall that whenever more money was needed, an extra
collection was taken, or a fund-raiser was planned. Many of the early
fund-raisers were church suppers. Because the church only consisted of a worship
sanctuary, it was decided that members would take turns having them at their
homes. A former member of St. John’s recalls a few of these when she was
young. She said her parents cleaned out one large room upstairs where all the
children were sent, and the adults ate downstairs. How many church members would
welcome the idea of opening their homes and kitchens to public dinners today?
Another
interesting fundraising idea can he found in the church record book. The date --
January 11, 1908, -- the entry, “To repair the chimney of the church
and parsonage, it was decided to build a chicken house.” According to members
this was not an unusual method for fund-raising in conservative farm country.
Bliedorn School
~ District #6
The
following information was compiled by Durward Gohlmann, a student at District #6
for eight years. Durward’s grandfather was Christopher J. Gonlmann, a charter
member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. Christopher J. Gohlniann hauled milked
from farmers in the area to the Bliedorn Creamery.
District
#6 was located five miles west of Welton in what was first called Berlin
Township, but in 1920 was changed to Grant Township.
The
school building was located about four hundred feet east of the St. John’s
Lutheran Church. The school yard was about 200 ft. x 200 ft. The school house
was 48 ft. x 50 ft. and was built in the center of the yard with three long
windows on each side of the building. There were two toilets (one for boys and
one for girls) built in each back corner of the school yard. A coal shed was in
the middle and back of the school house. The school house had a 12 ft. x 12 ft.
projection with south door and coat hooks on the inside entry of the building.
There was a 20 ft. x 10 ft. platform in front of the doorway and a wooden flag
pole at the side of the entry way. There was a bell tower with a bell on the
south rooftop of the building.
There
was a coal fired heating stove about 6 ft. from the doorway. A wash stand with
basin and a water pail with a dipper for drinking were located on the left wall.
At the north end of the building was a stage 24 ft. wide x 8 ft. deep and 6
inches high. The teacher’s desk and chair were placed here with the chair back
to the north wall. A pedal organ was on one side of the stage and book shelves
on the other. Kerosene lamps on metal brackets hung on the walls on either side.
There were four rows of double desks facing the teacher. The largest in the back
and the smallest in the front. All of the desks were fastened to the floor. The
teacher was also her own janitor. The children carried the water from the
neighbors in a three gallon pail and a broom stick was put through the handle of
the pail so two could carry the water pail. A long, handled dipper was placed in
the pail and everyone drank from the same dipper.
In
the early days, the teacher traveled to school by horse and buggy. The horses
were left in the barn at the Henry Geffers farm just north of the school. A
school day was from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. with a fifteen minute recess each
half day and one hour for dinner and games. A lot of games were played. One being
baseball with a sponge rubber ball.
In
1917, the teacher was Ellen Hughes and the students were: Elsie Paulson, Della
Paulson, Harry Paulson, Emil Paulson, Arnold Schlickting, Gladys Rusch, Ellen
Smith, Mildred Smith, Edith Smith, Martha Geffers, Gilbert Geffers, Edna
Geffers, Minnie Geffers, Kermit Schmidt, Arnold Schmidt, Beryl Wulf and
Durward Gohlmann. The teacher would pick up Durward with her horse and buggy on
her way to school.
In 1920, there were fourteen families in the school district. School enrollment was from fifteen to twenty-five students. Teacher’s salaries were $50.00-$60.00 per month. The County Superintendent would make a surprise visit once or twice a year. He would have words of praise or criticism for the teacher.
There is a photo of the school and two photos of students. Those in the photos are: 1. Frieda Smith, Alma Geffers, Dalla Schneden, Miss Margaret McLaughlin (teacher), Maggie Wieck, Sophia Schneden, Fern Wulf, Ellen Smith, Harry Smith, Mike Smith, Hugo Geffers, Raymond Cooper, ? Paulsen, ? Paulsen, Martha Geffers, and two sons of Charles Paulsen. 2. Edna Wulf, ? Busch, Carlyle Meints, Ronald Gohlmann, Glen Rusch, Melvin Wulf, Melba Irons, Vera Wulf, Lester Wulf, Durward Gohlmann, Alice Irons, ? Busch, Minnie Geffers, Kermit Schmidt and Portia Grant, teacher.
Bliedorn Store
One account says that William Bliedorn erected a store building on the southeast corner of the homestead farm. Edna Geffers tells about the store being connected to a house by a closed in area and a man by the name of Hersam running it. Later he sold it to a couple by the name of Fred and Mary Mecklenburg. (There is a photo of Fred and Mary in front of the house/store) According to Edna Geffers, the Mecklenberg's never maintained a store, but only lived in the house. The store's location was said to be located to the west of the church. A Clinton County Historical Society report says the store had a loading dock and a second house. Margaret (Maggie) Griebel's account says the Mecklenburg's lived in the east part of the building, and that the store was closed soon after 1914. Another account from Mrs. John (Mary) Gohlmann states that the store was in the house that was used as a parsonage.
