BIOGRAPHY: William J. BLETT, Mifflin County, PA 

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The Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley, 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, and Perry, 
Pennsylvania.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, Volume I, 
pages 419-420.
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  WILLIAM J. BLETT, Lewistown, Mifflin county., Pa., was born at Milroy, 
Pa., August 5, 1855, son of Daniel and Catherine (Riegel) Blett. His 
grandparents, Mr. And Mrs. Peter Blett, were both of German ancestry. Their 
children were: Jonas; Absalom; Daniel; and Abraham. The second son, Absalom 
Blett, now resides in Golden City, Col. He went west in 1859, traveling by 
wagon. He was very successful in prospecting and mining, being one of those 
whose energy and perseverance bring them to the front in a new and busy 
community. He became a notable figure in political circles, and by 
appointment of the President of the United States, served one term as 
treasurer of the territory of Colorado. The youngest son, Abraham Blett, 
married and removed to Mercer County, Pa., where he is now engaged in wagon-
marking, besides an undertaker. All the Blett brothers learned wagon-making 
in their father's shop. Abraham Blett has a family of four children: Eva; 
Austin; William; and Hattie. Daniel Blett, third son of Peter Blett, was 
born in Snyder county, Pa., where he passed his youth, attending the common 
schools, and like his brothers, learning wagon-making of his father. He 
lived with his parents until he became a man. About 1850 he married 
Catherine, daughter of John and Catherine (Bingaman) Reigle. Their children 
are: Ellen Patton (Mrs. Frederick Smith), has children, Charles, James, 
Harry, William, Helen, and Catherine; Frederick, has been since 1873 
passenger conductor on the Pennsylvania Railroad, Middle Division; Harriet 
and William J., twins. Harriet Blett was married to Theodore Loudenschlager, 
of Lewistown, Pa., and besides two children deceased, Ella and one that died 
very young, has had nine as follows: Bessie; Maria; Jesse; Mary; Irma C.; 
William; Harriet; Charles; and Gordon. Soon after his marriage Daniel Blett 
settled in Milroy, Mifflin county, and carried on the business of wagon-
making. In 1859 he removed his business interest and his family residence to 
Lewistown; but in 1860 his private affairs gave way to the urgent needs of 
the country, and in the spring, having offered his services to the State, 
Mr. Blett went to Curwensville, in Clearfield county, Pa., to drill the 
troops composing the old "Bucktail Regiment" of that county. Soon after the 
beginning of the Rebellion, Mr. Blett was sworn into the regular service, 
entering the ranks as a private; he was soon, however, commissioned as 
captain, receiving promotion as a reward of gallant conduct. Captain Blett 
served throughout the war, until May, 1864, when he was wounded in the 
battle of Spottsylvania, and died from the effects of the wound at the 
military hospital at Georgetown, June 10, 1864. His undoubted worth as a man 
and as a patriot made his loss deeply regretted. Honorable as well as 
diligent in business, kind and exemplary in his family and as a neighbor, 
faithful as a member of the church, the memory of his comparatively short 
life is still cherished by many friends. Mrs. Blett, who is, like her 
departed husband, a member of the Lutheran church, still resides in 
Lewistown. Captain Blett's politics were originally those of the Whig party; 
he was afterwards an ardent Republican.
  In his early home, the borough of Lewistown, William J. Blett was first 
educated in the public schools, and afterwards maintained himself by various 
occupations. He was frugal and industrious, and faithful to the interest of 
those for whom he worked. He devoted much attention to local affairs, and 
served in several borough offices. A warm supporter of the Democratic party, 
he was honored with its nomination to the shrievalty in 1893, and was 
elected by a substantial majority, being the only successful candidate on 
the county ticket of his party. Mr. Blett has shown his public spirit by 
serving the interests of the community whenever he found it practicable. He 
promoted the organization of Castle No. 156, K. of G. E., at Lewistown, 
besides castles of the same order at Reedsville, Belleville, and Milroy, in 
Mifflin county, and at Adamsburg, Snyder county, Pa. He is a member in good 
standing of Council No. 1394 of the Royal Arcanum at Lewistown.
  William J. Blett was married March 6, 1880, to Elizabeth, daughter of John 
and Elizabeth (Duke) Keiser. They have six children: Harriet; Charles D.; 
James E.; William, deceased; Anna; and Helen, deceased. Mr. Blett and his 
family attend the Lutheran church, of which Mr. Blett is a member.