BIO: William H. BLOOM, Centre County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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  W. H. BLOOM, is a leading and influential member of the agricultural 
community of Ferguson township, Centre county.  The improvements upon 
his place reflect great credit upon him; the buildings are of a 
handsome and substantial character; and the surroundings of his 
residence are extremely beautiful.  He is an able financier and a 
substantial citizen, always making the most of his opportunities, and 
in his chosen vocation has met with a well-deserved success.
  Mr. Bloom was born August 7, 1850, and is a son of William and Sarah 
(Lesch) Bloom.  The father, who was of German descent, was a native of 
Berks county, Penn., and came to Centre county from Union county, 
Penn., whither he had moved.  His family constituted six children: 
Jemima, who married Daniel Heckman, and died in October, 1870, leaving 
three children; Amelia, wife of John Frantz, a farmer of Centre county; 
Adam G., a dairyman and farmer of Lock Haven, Clinton Co., Penn., who 
married Ellen Runkle and has two children; W. H., of this sketch; Peter 
F., who died in 1863, during boyhood; Clara A., wife of William Smith, 
a farmer living near Pine Grove Mills, Centre county, by whom she has 
eight children.
  Our subject is indebted to the free schools of White Hall, Penn., for 
his educational privileges.  He early became familiar with agricultural 
pursuits and chose farming as his life work, now owning and operating a 
valuable tract of 150 acres four miles from State college, Centre 
county.  The land is under a high state of cultivation, and yields 
bountiful harvests in return for the care and labor expended upon it.  
On December 24, 1867, Mr. Bloom was married to Miss Sarah E. Carter, a 
native of Centre Furnace, Penn., whose mother was from Centre county, 
Penn.  Her father, who was also a native of Centre county, enlisted in 
1862 in the 148th P. V. I., in Capt. Foster's company, and laid down 
his life on the altar of his country at the battle of Chancellorsville.  
He also had two brothers in the Union service, both of whom 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  199

were wounded - William, losing a leg, and Jacob Lee, being wounded in 
the hip.  Her family is of German and English extraction.  She has two 
brothers, Frederick K. and Joseph Carter, and one sister, Henrietta 
(wife of James Mowery).
  Eleven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bloom, in order of 
their birth as follows:  William A., who died in infancy; Emma V., wife 
of Oscar Heckman, a farmer of Penn Hall, Centre county; Anna M., who 
was born May 15, 1872, is the wife of Elmer E. Royer, of Pine Grove 
Mills, Centre county, by whom she has a son, William H.; Henry C., at 
home; Frankie, who was born September 23, 1875, and died in infancy; 
Oliver P., born October 27, 1878; Bessie R., born July 10, 1880; Lizzie 
M., born May 5, 1882; Grover Cleveland, who was born May 9, 1884 and 
died April 2, 1886; E. Orvis, born January 17, 1890; and Margaret C., 
born November 4 1891.
  In politics, Mr. Bloom is a straight and stanch adherent to the 
principles formulated in the platforms of the Democratic party, and 
exercises his elective franchises in support of the candidates offered 
by that organization.  Religiously he is a member of the Reformed 
Church and socially is a member of the Grange.  A genial, whole-souled 
American citizen, he is a leading and representative man of Ferguson 
township; and merits and receives the warmest confidence and esteem of 
his fellow-citizens.

1860 Ferguson Township, Centre County census -
William Bloom, 39  
Sarah Bloom, 40  
Jemimah Bloom, 17  
Amelia M. Bloom, 16  
Adam Bloom, 14  
William Bloom, 10  
Peter Bloom, 5  
Agnes Bloom, 3  
George H. Shafer, 19  
Susannah Bloom, 80