Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens
Lawrence County Pennsylvania 1897
[p. 392] widow of the late John S. Blim, who was one of the largest contractors and builders of New Castle, is a daughter of Edward and Emeline (Russell) Lawrence, being christened Mary M. Her father served in the federal ranks in the late rebellion, and died at the age of sixty-seven. His wife is still living at Croton, Pa., aged seventy-one years. Their children were: John; Mary M., our subject; Harry; Albert; and Laura.
John S. Blim was born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, Jan. 4, 1845, and was a son of Jacob and Susan (Stiver) Blim, who, were leading farmers of Columbiana County. Jacob Blim served in the Civil War in Co. A, 125th Reg. O. V. I., and died at Jeffersonville, (Ind.) Hospital, October, 1864; his father served in the Napoleonic War.
Our subject's husband learned the stonemason's trade, and came to New Castle where, with Robert Allen, he engaged in contracting and building, and later was associated with James A. Carpenter. From the time he first came to New Castle in 1872, until his death he remained a resident of his adopted home; he built a home on Walnut Street, where his widow now resides. He was widely known as a skilful workman, and as schooled in all the details of the contractor's business; among the number of public buildings, which show off his work to the best advantage, are the Y. M. C. A. Building, Hiram, Ohio; the Hospital; First Presbyterian Church on Jefferson Street; Presbyterian Church on Pittsburg Avenue; the West Side School; the Oak Street School, and was building the Highland Avenue School when he was instantly killed by a fall of the derrick, March 27, 1896. He was a member of the United Workmen, and of the G. A. R. post. He enlisted in the cause of the Union Aug. 22, 1862, at Greenford, Mahoning.Co., Pa., a volunteer in Co. A, 125th Reg. O. V. I., First Brigade, First Division of the Fourth Army Corps, and participated in the battle of Chickamauga, and was present at all the engagements of the Atlantic campaign from Pine Mountain to Lovejoy Station and at Franklin and Nashville. On Sept. 19, 1862, at Chickamauga, Mr. Blim received a gunshot wound in the left shoulder, and was sent to receive surgical aid at the Nashville Hospital, and thence to Covington, Ky., where he remained under treatment seven months, and then was furloughed in February, 1864. After twenty days he rejoined his company at Pine Mountain, Ga., June 5, 1864, and was on detailed duty for a short time at Camp Nelson as prison guard, and was finally discharged at the expiration of his term of service June 5, 1865. At his death, he was a member of Encampment No. 9, U. V. L., and was a member of the relief committee. On April 1, 1873, he was married to our subject, and to them were born three children, as follows: Wellington, born Feb. 12, 1874, has succeeded his father in the firm of Blim & Carpenter, builders and contractors; Lauretta, born Oct. 31, 1879, lives with her mother; John G., was born Feb. 22, 1890. Mr. Blim's influence was at all times cast in what he considered the best interests of the community. His well-deserved success in life was what might have been expected from a man who combined an unusual amount of energy with a certain amount of conservativeness, that never led him to indulge in excesses or in untried projects. He was a hard worker in legitimate channels, and deserved, if ever man did, the high respect which was almost universally accorded to him.
Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens Lawrence County Pennsylvania
Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo, N.Y., 1897
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Updated: 31 May 2001