General Notes

JOHN W. BLEASDALE.

John W. Bleasdale, of Brush, Colorado, is prominently connected with the live stock business of the state, having interests of more than local importance. He was born in Orange township, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, September 29, 1863, his parents being Thomas C. and Mary A. (Thorp) Bleasdale, the former a native of Liverpool, England, and the latter of Cuyahoga county, Ohio. The father was brought to America when only four years of age, the family locating in Cleveland, Ohio. The grandfather was a shipbuilder there and made that city his home during the balance of his life. The grandfather on the mother's side. Basil Thorp, served in the War of 1812. Thomas C. Bleasdale bought land in Geauga county, Ohio, which he improved and cultivated for many years. He was successful in its operation and in later life removed to Cleveland, which city remained his home until he passed away in November, 1904. His wife is still living, having reached the venerable age of eighty-eight years.

John W. Bleasdale was reared and educated in Cleveland and Bedford, completing his course at Baldwin University at Berea, Ohio. He remained with his parents until twenty years of age, but at that time he left home and came to Colorado. Upon his arrival here he was practically penniless and at once had to start out to seek work, finding such on a dairy farm in Greeley, where he continued for two years. At the end of that period, however, he returned to Cleveland, which he made his home for some time. In February, 1888, Mr. Bleasdale came to Brush and took up agricultural pursuits, following this line for six years, at the end of which time he returned to Cleveland, which again became his home, and there remained for a year. At the conclusion of this period he retraced his steps to Brush and moved upon the farm which he had cultivated before, operating the same for five years, at the end of which time he traded it for property in Englewood. He moved into the town of Brush in 1908 and has since resided here, engaging in the buying of stock. He has continued along this line and his business has grown so that he now receives a gratifying income from his activities. His former accumulations have permitted him to invest in real estate and Mr. Bleasdale is the owner of the Southern Hotel in Brush. He always maintains the highest business standards and the methods which he has employed in his transactions are above reproach.

In June, 1899, Mr. Bleasdale was united in marriage to Agnes Craine, a daughter of Robert and Jane (Cowley) Craine, natives of the Isle of Man. She came to America in 1871 and located in Cleveland, Ohio. The father was a carpenter and cabinetmaker by trade and worked at this occupation throughout his life. He died in August, 1903, his wife having preceded him in death many years, passing away in September, 1875. To Mr. and Mrs. Bleasdale four children were born. Dr. J. Walter Bleasdale, who is a dentist by profession, is at present serving his country as first lieutenant in the Dental Corps. He married Eunice Moore and they have one child, John W. Agnes is a teacher in the Brush schools. Eleanor Irene is attending the University of Colorado at Boulder; and one child died in infancy.

Politically Mr. Bleasdale is a republican and his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. He is a public-spirited citizen and always has at heart the welfare of his community. He is ever ready to support worthy projects and can be depended upon to cooperate in any movements which are undertaken for the benefit of his community. In Colorado he has found the opportunities which he sought and he is enthusiastic in regard to the natural resources of this wonderfully rich state. Although he received a good education, he came to Colorado penniless and here he has acquired a gratifying measure of success.

— History of Colorado, 1918, Vol 4, pages 700-701 by Wilbur Fiske Stone

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  Recorded Events in His Life

• He appeared on the 1870 US Federal Census on 1 July 1870 in Orange Township, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, USA. ³
  

Census (01 July 1870) — Orange Township, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, USA

Name              Age     Sex  Race  Occupation      Birthplace   Remarks
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blaisdell Thomas   40      M    W    Farmer          England*     $6200 value real estate; $800
                                                                     value personal estate
--------- Mary     39      F    W    Keeping house   Ohio  
--------- Ernest   13      M    W    Works on farm   Ohio**       Attended school within the year
--------- Bezaleel  9      M    W    At home         Ohio**       Attended school within the year
--------- John      6      M    W    "  "            Ohio**       Attended school within the year
--------- Grant     5      M    W    "  "            Ohio**      
--------- Alice     3      F    W    "  "            Ohio**      
--------- Calvert   4/12   M    W    "  "            Ohio**       Born in February 1870
Eames William      20      M    W    Farm hand       Ohio         
Abell Josephine    13      F    W                    Ohio         Attended school within the year
   *both parents of foreign birth    **father of foreign birth
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source Citation:  Year: 1870; Census Place: Orange, Cuyahoga, Ohio;
                  Roll: M593_1193; Page: 537; Image: 431.

• He appeared on the 1880 US Federal Census on 8 June 1880 in Warrensville, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, USA. ²
  

Census (8 June 1880) — Warrensville, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, USA

                                               Marital                                      Father's     Mother's
Name                Relation   Race   Gender   Status   Age   Occupation      Birthplace   Birthplace   Birthplace
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blaisdel Tho        --          W     Male       M      50    Farmer          England      England      England
   "     Mary A     Wife        W     Female     M      49    Keeping House   Ohio         Connecticut  Connecticut
   "     Ernest     Son         W     Male       S      22    At Home         Ohio         England          "
   "     Basil      Son         W     Male       S      19    At Home         Ohio            "             "
   "     John W     Son         W     Male       S      16    At Home         Ohio            "             "
   "     Grant      Son         W     Male       S      14    At School       Ohio            "             "
   "     Alles      Daughter    W     Female     S      12    At School       Ohio            "             "
   "     Calvert    Son         W     Male       S      11    At School       Ohio            "             "
   "     Lencon L   Son         W     Male       S       8    At School       Ohio            "             "
Thorp    Basil      Boarder     W     Male       Wd     85    Farmer          Connecticut       Connecticut
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source Citation:  Year: 1880; Census Place: Warrensville, Cuyahoga, Ohio; Roll: T9_1010;
                  Family History Film: 1255010; Page: 376.3000; Enumeration District: 77; Image: 0112.

• He appeared on the 1900 US Federal Census in 1900 in Brush Town, Morgan County, Colorado, USA.

• He appeared on the 1910 US Federal Census on 16 April 1910 in Brush, Morgan County, Colorado, USA.