Fridolin L. Blumer (1850 - 1921)

Born 17 Nov 1850 in Engi, Canton Glarus, Switzerland

Ancestors

Died 5 Aug 1921 at age 70 in San Diego, San Diego, California

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Tom Blumer [send private message]

Biography

Note: #N2439.

Notes

Birth date and birthplace: Family records of Paul S. Blumer, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Following is mostly from notes of Ralph W. Blumer:

Fridolin came to the U.S. in 1871 (?). He was later naturalized, date unknown. His first U.S. residence was in Omaha and Lincoln, NE. He married Magdalena Stucy, b. Switzerland. He left her and their children; and in 1896, he was in Cripple Creek, CO, with a business address, "Mining and Mine Machinery, 212 Third Street.".

By 1900, he had moved to Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona, according to the U.S. Census for that year. With him is a wife Julia, born November 1875, and a daughter, "Mama," age 6. Fred L. Blumer's occupation is "bookkeeper.".

In 1910, (Census?) he was listed in Los Angeles Twp., Hollywood, CA, Precinct #1, with wife Julia, 35, and stepdaughter Mamie E. Lewis, 15. Julia is shown as born in Missouri. Their house number was 1012 Carleton Way. His profession: Broker; Investments.

The 1920 U.S. Census, Los Angeles Assembly District 63, Los Angeles County, California, shows Julia J. Blumer as part of a family group headed by Colin F. Whittier. She is listed as his sister. Fred L. Blumer is not with this group.

Recollections of Inez (Leibly) Gieser, letter to Ralph W. Blumer, May 8, 1985:

"Let's see if I can help clear things up on Fred who probably was my mother's uncle. I do remember his name was Fred. I was around eight or ten when I took the picture. . .Mama and I went to Los Angeles every other year to visit very dear friends, so the trip to Fred's ranch doesn't stand out in my mind. (I think Mama learned about him from Fanny Bram when she came to Seattle on a visit.) So she was anxious to meet her Uncle Fred. The only other thing I remember is that I heard her tell my Dad that Fred admitted to being a "plunger." I asked what that meant and she said he took risky chances and was either broke or well off all through the years."Fridolin (Fred) Blumer came to the U.S. and lived in Nebraska for a time. His son Fred Lewis Blumer was born in Elba, Neb on 19 Sept 1885. His grandson, Paul S. Blumer, told John Emrie Blumer that his father (Fred Lewis) told him that Fridolin (Fred) left the family when Fred Lewis was eight years old. But Fred Lewis would not tell his children anything more about their grandfather.

Paul added that he had a vague recollection that his grandfather went to California and worked for an oil company there. Paul has some letters and pictures of past generations that he would like to share with us should the opportunity arise. [Information from John Emrie Blumer, 2 Jan 1984. At that time, John Emrie was working in Beatrice, Neb.].

From Omaha, Nebraska, City Directories, 1889-1890:

Fred L. Blumer, Birkhauser and Blumer (Real Estate) 3843 Charles, Omaha, Nebraska. City councilman, 1890.

From Houston, Texas City Directories, 1882-1895.

Fred L. Blumer, J.C.S. Morrow & Co., Real Estate agents. Boards at 1013 Travis; office at 512 Main. 1894 and 1895.

The obituary of Fred L Blumer gives his (second) wife's name as Julia J. (birth surname unknown)

Sources

"Iowa, Delayed Birth Records, 1850-1939," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q24Z-KPFK : accessed 26 August 2021), birth record for Clara Elizabeth Blumer, born 19 Dec 1878, Essex, Page, Iowa, daughter of Frederick Louis Blumer and Magdalena Stucy.

"Iowa Marriages, 1809-1992", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XJ16-MBD : 13 January 2020), Frederick L. Blumer in entry for P. W. Gruening, 1903. Shows marriage of Nelle B. Blumer, a daughter of Frederick L. Blumer and Magdalena Stucy.

"United States, GenealogyBank Historical Newspaper Obituaries, 1815-2011", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q53F-D77W : 18 July 2020), Fred L Blumer, 1921.