LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA

Pg 49

JOHN J. BLIVEN

Transcribed by Beverly Gerdts, submitted June 13, 2017

        49 JOHN J. BLIVEN John J. Bliven was born April 28, 1863, and was united in marriage to Bessie E. Acheson, September 29, 1885. They spent most of their married life in and around Fredonia and Columbus Junction. Mr. Bliven was a great lover of horses, and liked nothing better then working with them. They came to Fredonia in the spring of 1910, an purchased the property now owned by Ralph Snyder, and the triangle piece where the town hall stands. They sold the triangle piece to the trustees of Concord township and the hall was built that year.

        They resided in this home until Mr. Bliven's death , which occurred September 17, 1930, when Mrs. Bliven sold the home and for time made her home with her daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Schlichting. Later she moved to Columbus Junction, where...

Pg 50

...she resided until her death in October 23, 1950, at the age of 82 years.

        To Mr. and Mrs. Bliven, nine children were born: Lelia C., who became the wife of Will Adams and were the parents of one son, who passed away at the age of 17 years.

        Anna Belle became the wife of Earl Wagner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Wagner. To them three children were born: Earl, Margaret and Leo.

        Earl resides near Wapello, and has never married; Margaret passed away January 11, 1931, and left one daughter, Betty Newcomb, who has a nice family of four children and resides near Nichols.

        Leo was untied in marriage to Viola Stratton and have a lovely family of 10 lovely girls and four boys- a family to be proud of.

        Anna is now Mrs. Arthur Ewing and have a nice home in Muscatine.

        Mamie Rebecca became the wife of Robert Carey, son of Thomas and Emma Edmondson Carey. Eight children graced their union: Thomas, Irene, Rex, Royce, Robert,Clayton, Keith and Leith, who died at the age of six years. The other children are all married and have nice homes and families.

        Irene is Mrs. Dale Morrison and are on a farm in the Indian Creek district. They have a nice family of three boys and one girl.

        Thomas is married and they live on a farm near Fredonia and are a part of Fredonia live. They have one son who passed away when but a child, and two daughters, Jaunita, now Mrs. Sam Sands, and Erma at home.

        Rex Carey is married and resides on a farm east of Fredonia, and have three girls and one son. All o f whom are married Royce is married and live on a farm near Fredonia and is very much a part of Fredonia. They have two daughters Rose Anne, now Mrs. Bailey and Charlotte, at home.

        Robert and Clayton both are married and make their homes in Illinois.

        Keith is married and resides on a farm east of Fredonia, and are the parents of a son and daughter.

        For several years Mr. and Mrs Carey have been in the horse racing business, and have some very nice horses. The son, Royce, trains the horses.

        Mamie left this nice family, April 19, 1955, after an illness of several months. It is with pride a mother can look upon the lives s has brought into this world, with the knowledge they are filling their own little nitch in this life and leave with a feeling of well done and a prayer that each will continue to make the corner where they live, just a little better for their having been a part of it. The fulfillment of her duties in this life were proudly and cheerfully done.

        Harry Bliven was united in marriage to Leona Quinn, o f Davenport, Iowa, and continue to make their home there. Harry operates a garage and service station.

        Muda Grace Bliven died at the age of four years.

        Robert Elnathan died at the age of three years.

        Margaret became the wife of Cecil Schlichting, and resides on a farm near Coneville. Both Cecil and Margaret are school teachers. Both taught school in Fredonia for several years, before going to the farm. Cecil is also a music teacher, and both are accomplished musicians. They have one son, Justin Dee, who is also a musician and farmer.

        J. Albert was united in marriage to Jessie Ellis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Ellis. Mr. and Mrs. Bliven have two children, Mildred, now Mrs. Porter of Nichols , Iowa, and Donald, who resides in Muscatine.

        William Blaine Bliven was united in marriage to Bertha Lord, March 17, 1914. She is the daughter of Jerry R and Lillie M. (Knickerbocker) Lord. The Knickerbockers were Holland Dutch and settled in New York when America was very new. The grandmother was a Munsinger and came from Germany, and settled n Howard, Kansas, where they bred and sold a fine grade of Hereford cattle. Mr. Munsinger lived to be 104 years of age.

        Mr. and Mrs. Bliven moved several times during the first years of domestic life, then in 1923, they purchased the property in the west edge of Fredonia, where Thomas Jones now resides, and where they resided for17 years. The children all received their education in the local schools.

        In 1939, Mr. and Mrs. Bliven sold the home to Mr. Jones and for a brief times resided in Wayland, Iowa, re-...

Pg 51

... turning to Fredonia, and purchasing the home known to many as the Gamble property. Then for the next three years, they were employed in the North American Aviation plant in Inglewood, California. He as a punch press operator and Bertha as inspector. At the end of World War II, they returned to Fredonia, where they continue to reside. Blaine is employed at the Pearl Button factory in Columbus Junction, and Bertha has a gift shop in the home and keeps busy and happy sewing and making novelties.

        They have nothing great or spectacular, but have lived the good neighbor policy and reared a family they are proud of, and pray the world will be a “tiny bit” better for their having passed through.