Biography of John Jacob Blomquist, Tampa, Hillsborough County, FL

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Transcribed from:  The History of Florida:  Past & Present, The Lewis Publishing Co., Vol. 
III, page 318, 1923.

BLOMQUIST, JOHN JACOB is a very successful young business man, and his public spirited 
activities have ranked him among the most progressive and enlightened citizenship of Carrabelle, 
where he has lived since early boyhood.

Mr. BLOMQUIST was born at Tallahassee, October 14, 1885, son of CLAES and EMMA (OSTERMAN) 
BLOMQUIST.  His parents were born in Sweden, and his mother is now living at Carrabelle.  
CLAES BLOMQUIST, who was born in 1834, and died at Carrabelle in 1912, brought his family 
to the United States in 1870, and for a number of years followed his trade as a coppersmith 
in the shops of the F. C. & P. Railroad at Tallahassee.  In 1890 he moved to Carrabelle, 
and lived practically retired until his death.  He was an active member of the Methodist 
Church and the democratic party.

Youngest in a family of four children, JOHN JACOB BLOMQUIST attended the common schools of 
Carrabelle, and at the age of eighteen entered the line of business that he has ever since 
followed.  At the beginning he was an employee of E. R. L. MOORE in the fish and oyster 
industry.  Later, when the Gulf Trading Company was organized, he became secretary and 
treasurer of the wholesale fish and oyster concern, with Mr. MOORE as president.  This is 
one of the oldest and strongest business companies at Carrabelle.

Mr. BLOMQUIST has served as a member and president of the Town Council, has been particularly 
interested in the educational development of the town.  He is an active democrat, is a 
steward and trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was associated with all the 
local programs of patriotic activity during the late war.  He is a past master of Curfew 
Lodge No. 73, A. F. and A. M., is affiliated with the Royal Arch Chapter and Knight Templar 
Commandery at Tallahassee, and Morocco Temple of the Shrine at Jacksonville.

At Tampa, December 12, 1905, Mr. BLOMQUIST married Miss MAUD ORDWAY, a native of Apalachicola.  
Her father was a native of Maine, and on coming to Florida conducted an extensive lumber 
business at Carrabelle, and also served as postmaster of that town.  He died in 1904, and 
his widow is now living at Fort Pierce.  Mr. And Mrs. BLOMQUIST have two children:  MARGARET 
and GRAHAM.