BIO: William H. BLOOM, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ 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. _____________________________________________________________________ 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