Delos A. Blodgett

Delos A. Blodgett, lumberman and farmer, was born March 3, 1825, in Otsego Co., N.Y. He is the son of Abiel D. and Susan (Richmond) Blodgett. His father was born i Plymouth, N.H., April 21, 1794, was sheriff of Otsego Co., N.Y., two terms, and otherwise a prominent citizen of that county. His mother was born in Puttsfield, Bershire Co., Mass., Nov. 19, 1796. they were born of English descent. there were five children born to them, namely: Albert A., Delos A., Ellen C., Helen R. and Harriet E.Delos A., the subject of this biographical sketch, was named for Dr. Delos White of Cherry Valley, N.Y., then his father's family physician, and was always called by his parents and schoolmates "Dod:" hence the cognomen of to-day.

When he was four years of age his father sold out his farming interests in Otsego County and settled in Erie Co., N.Y., near Springville. Here Delos was reared and educated, going to school betimes, and helping his father on the farm.

When he was of sufficient age he was sent to the Springville Academy, where he remained, pursuing his studies during the school months, until the age of 20. At this period - the spring of 1845 - his father sold his farm, to be delivered to the purchaser the following year, with the intention then of going West and settling in Illinois.

Having a desire to see something of the world, Mr. Blodgett then formed his plans to make what was then considered an extensive tour. Accordingly he set out from his parental home, and, having a preference for Western navigations, descended the Alleghany River. From this he went down the Ohio River to the Mississippi, and on this great "father of waters" was carried to New Orleans. Her and at Vicksburg, he spent most of his time, working at whatever would favorably present itself, until the fall of 1846, when he joined his parents, who had in the meantime purchased and settled on a farm in McHenry Co., Ill. Here he remained for two years, working with his father on the farm and attending school winters at the Geneva (Wis.) Academy.

In the fall of 1848, believing that by age and knowledge he was able to take care of himself, and probably do something more, he again left his home and started out to seek his fortune, arriving at Muskegon village, his objective point, soon thereafter. At this place he worked a year and a half at lumbering.In July 1850, he formed a partnership with Thos. D. Stimson, "pooling their issues," for the purpose of engaging in the lumbering or logging business up the Muskegon River. they bought them a canoe, and loading it with supplies, haying implements, etc., started up the Muskegon. With this canoe, they paddled, pushed and worked their way up the River, camping out nights and often wading, one pushig and the other pulling thier little barge, which contained all of their earthly possessions, up the rapids or over shoals until they reached a point 200 miles from their starting point, which was some miles above any other lumbering camp. This was at the place where the river - which has since become historical and known as the "Doc and Tom," deriving its name from the given names of these two pioneers - effects a confluence with the Muskegon River.

One of their night camps was made at the mouth of the Hersey branch of the Muskegon River. Here Mr. Blodgett was strick with admiration of the beautiful level of land bordering these rivers on the west side, and the magnificent elm forests, and made up his mind that if fortune favored him he would some day be the owner. They arrived at their designation in August, looked up their beaver meadows and cut their hay for their coming winter's work. This accomplished, they returned to Muskegon on foot. Buying their oxen, supplies and ither camp equipments, and hiring their men, they returned, driving their oxen before them. From Big Rapids (which was then an unbroken wilderness) they had to drive their oxen through the thickest of woods, without any road or even a trail, to the mouth of the Doc and Tom, their future lumbering camp. Here they labored through the winter, getting out their logs.In the spring of 1851 they constructed some canoes, and when the river opened up put in their camp outfit and started down the river, driving their logs before them, until they reached the rear of the main "drive." Then Mr. Blodgett returned to Croton, purchased some potatoes, which he hauled to Big Rapids. These he loaded into his canoe and started for the mouth of the Hersey, the place that had so captivated his fancy the previous summer. The land all about here then belonged to the Government.

On arriving here he availed himself of the squatter's right, selected his land and chopped and logged off a piece by hand and planted his potatoes. This was the first crop planted, and Mr. Blodgett was the first settler i the territory now embraced by Osceola County. This land lay near the Muskegon River on the south side of the Hersey branch, and is embraced in the present village plat of Hersey and his now adjoining farm. When done with his planting he looked up more pine lands in this and Muskegon County, and from this began his afterward extensive lumbering operations. In 1852, he cleared up more ground, enlarging his potato crop, purchased the first 40 acres from the Government, which was the beginning of the farm now known as "Blodgett Farm," in Hersey.Mr. Blodgett continued to lumber winters and farm summers, purchasing additional lands from time to time, until the spring of 1858, when, with L.O. Schofield, of Branch Co., Mich., he erected a saw-mill and grist-mill at Hersey. Before these mills, however, were fully completed, he purchased the interest of Mr. Schofield. All the lumber used up to this time in putting up farm buildings was drawn from Newaygo County, a distance of 60 miles.In the fall of 1859, he was married to Miss Jennie S. Wood, daughter of John and Clara L. Wood, of Woodstock, Ill. she was born Aug. 26, 1841, at Jersey Shore, Lycoming Co., Pa. He returned to Hersey with his bride, where they settled down to domestic life. Of this marriage there were two children: John Wood, born July 26, 1860, and Susan Richmond, born May 26, 1865.

In 1861, Mr. B., with B. F. Gooch and others, organized the first township, which then embraced the entire territory of the county, and which was called Richmond, from his mother's family name. At this first election Mr. Blodgett was chosen Supervisor. He was instrumental in bringing about the organization of the county, which was effected in 1869, and caused the county-seat to be located at Hersey, where it still remains. Upon the advent of the railroads, he platted the village of Hersey, in and about which his farm lands were located. In 1870, he commenced the erection of his large and handsome residence, which was completed in 1871. In this beautiful home he resided until the fall of 1881, when he removed to Grand Rapids, where he now resides.

Mr. Blodgett started out in life with a purpose and worked up to it. during the last 15 years, Mr. Blodgett has been extensively engaged in lumbering in Osceola, Missaukee and Clare Counties. He is also the surviving member of the firm of Blodgett & Byrne, who are largely engaged in lumbering in Roscomon and Crawford Counties. Here they have an extensive tract of fine pine timber, and operate a steam railroad, the track of which is laid with steel rails. With this road they put in at the head of the Muskegon River from 25,000,000 to 30,000,000 feet of logs a year, which is floated down to Muskegon where they have their mills.

Mr. Blodgett has a natural taste for farming, and takes great pride in it. He has several farms in different parts of the State; but his best farm, and the one to which he has given the most attention and in which he has the most pride, is at Hersey. Here he is breeding the Norman and Percheron stock, having first imported this breed of horse firect from France.

Mr. B. has been eminently successfu in his business operations, and is to-day one of the largest lumber operations in the State. While this has been the result of his labors, it is gratifying to know that his successes have not been accomplished at the expense of his manhood, or his humanity, which is too often the result. His hand is ever ready to help the poor or aid the deserving, while his heart always welcomes an old friend or acquaintance. He is a ronounced Republican, and has been active and prominent in the politics of the county, as well as that of the State. He has been a leading figure and an important factor in the growth and development of Osceola County from its first settlement to the present time; his individuality is clearly wedded to its annals and traditions; his life is a part of its history, which would be incomplete without this, his biography.

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