Obituary of David Blosser

David Blosser was born in Virginia, April 16, 1823, and died in Holton, Kansas, February 20, 1909, age 85 years, 10 months, and 4 days. His parents died while he was quite young, thus leaving him without a home and alone to fight the battles of life. When a boy he was bound out to a cruel master, from whom, in his ambition and determination he escaped and came west to Ohio, swimming the Ohio river on his journey.

On July 27, 1843, over 65 years ago he was united in marriage to Elizabeth H. McBroom.

During the year 1861 he moved from Ohio to Illinois, where he resided until 1867, when he removed to Jackson county, Kansas, where he has lived the remaining forty-one years of his life.

When President Lincoln called for volunteers to preserve the Union, David Blosser and two sons, responded to the call. Mr. Blosser united with Co. E. 73d Illinois Infantry. He was made 2d Lieutenant of his company. He thus served his country but five months, when sickness came upon him and he was obliged to resign his commission and return home that his life might be spared. He was in the battles of Georgetown and Perryville.

To Mr. and Mrs. Blosser twelve children have been born, 5 girls and 7 boys, six of whom, together with the aged mother, still survive the father to mourn his loss. The children living are, Hester A. Barnes and George E. Blosser of this city, William D. and John L. of Ogden, Utah, Greenberry S. and Jennie Bowser of Lamar, Colo.

Joseph C. and Robert M. enlisted in the Union army to fight for the flag of their country. The former was killed by a sharpshooter and the latter died in an army hospital - both sacrificing their lives to preserve the country in which we live and enjoy. Louis D. died in Cromwell, Iowa, in the year 1894. Minerva P. Blosser died at her home nine miles west of Holton, in July, 1905. Nancy M. and Mary R. both died in infancy.

About 8 years after Mr. and Mrs. Blosser were married there were both converted and joined the United Brethren church in Ohio. After moving to Illinois they changed their membership to the Methodist Episcopal church to which denomination they have ever since been faithful loyal members.

God gives to every person born into this world a mission. David Blosser had a mission and he performed it well. His life's work was done and done well ere he died. He was one of the noble men who have made Kansas and this country a better place to live in. He was a man who could number his friends by the hundreds and he had not a known enemy; Kind hearted, yet determined when he knew he was in the right.

During the past year or two his suffering has been intense, but never a murmur or word of complaint came from his lips. A grand and noble character has passed into the beyond.

The funeral was held from the residence on Sunday, February 21, services being conducted by his pastor, Dr. S. J. Heaton. Music was furnished by a quartet composed of Mrs. A. H. Williams, Miss Alice Wolverton, Messrs Charles Porterfield and Fred Schurer. The pall bearers were, Wm. Spiller, Geo. Hoover, M. F. White, John Woodyard, M. Woodworth and Geo. H. Barker.