Mecosta County MI Archives Biographies.....Blossom, John March 21, 1844 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Jan Cortez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00020.html#0004939 April 17, 2009, 8:42 pm

Author: Chapman Brothers

JOHN BLOSSOM, farmer, sec. 24, Aetna Tp., was born March 21, 1844, in Jenkins 
Co., Wis., and is a son of 

Zenas and Mary (Hunt) Blossom.  His parents came to Michigan when he was 7 
years old, and settled in 

Allegan County, where he lived until the outbreak of the Rebellion.  He 
enlisted in the Eigth Michigan 

Calvary, his regiment being assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, under 
Burnside.  He was with that 

command until 1863, when he was transferred to that of Sherman.  At Macon, 
Ga., he was taken prisoner, and 

sent to the stockade prison pen at Andersonville.  After three and one-half 
months incarceration, a removal 

was ordered to Goldsboro, and he made his escape by jumping from the train.  
He soon found a friendly negro 

who secreted him in a barn three weeks.  He then fell in with Sherman's 
advanced guard - 17th Army Corps - 

and joined Sherman at Milledgeville, Ga.

In the winter of 1865 he came home on a furlough, and returned Jan. 8, to 
Tennessee. He was promoted to a 

Corporal's rank, and honorably discharged at the close of the war, Sept. 28, 
1865.

The following paper is a valuable testimonial to the bravery of character and 
high esteem in which Mr. 

Blossom was held by his superior officers:

"This witnesseth that Corporal John Blossom of Co. F., Eigth Mich. Cav., has 
no superior in all that is 

required to make an excllent soldier.  For the cheerfulness and alacrity with 
which he always performed the 

duties assigned him; for his gentlemanly conduct, whether on the march or in 
the camp, and for his 

fortitude and courage while in the enemy's prison and on the battle-field, he 
will be highly esteemed.

(Signed)  Homer Manvel,
Adjt. Eighth Mich. Cav."

In January, 1873, he purchased 80 acres of land on which he is now in 
residence, 60 acres of which are 

improved.  His farm buildings are convenient and substantial, and he has 
recently completed a good 

residence, at a cost of $1,000.  In politics he is a Republican, and has held 
several offices in the 

service or his township.

Mr. Blossom was married in 1873, to Rebecca, daughter of John and Martha 
(Guitan) McCormick.  She is a 

native of Ohio, and was born Nov. 24, 1840.  The two children of Mr. and Mrs. 
Blossom were born as follows: 

 Edward, July 17, 1877, and Laura M., March 20, 1880.  The latter died Sept. 
14, 1881.

Additional Comments:
1883 Portrait & Bio Album of Mecosta Co.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/mecosta/bios/blossom589nbs.txt

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