David Blosser - Civil War Soldier Buried in Farmer Cemetery

David Blosser was the second son of Peter and Rebecca Blosser of Seneca County, Ohio.  Benjamin was the first son, born in 1839.  David was 22 in the 1860 census and he was followed by Jacob, 19; John, 17; Henry, 13; Mary, 10; Maria, 8; Sarah, 6; Madison, 3 and Andrew, 8 months.  It was a very large farm family and a patriotic one, as well, because four of the sons would fight for the Union cause.

On August 12, 1862, Jacob and John enlisted in Company K, 101st Regiment Ohio O.V.I., followed on September 12, 1862 by their brother, David, who joined the same regiment.  That left Benjamin, the oldest son behind.  He had just married in 1859, had small children, and was probably helping with the farm work.  The three brothers followed the 101st into some of the bloodiest battles of the war, fighting valiantly in Tennessee and Georgia.

On June 20, 1864, brother Jacob was killed in action at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain in Georgia.  That may be what prompted Benjamin to join later, in 1865.
David and John Blosser returned home safely.  David mustered out on June 20, 1865, with his unit as a sergeant, having served 2 years, 10 months and 9 days.  He reported on the 1890 Veterans Census that his disability was heart trouble.

By 1870, David had settled in Farmer Township with his first wife, Mary Alice Riley and their child, Cora A, 2.  Later, they would have another daughter, Delphia.  David was a farmer.  In 1874, Mary Alice died on October 8.  Some time after that, David moved in with his widowed mother, Rebecca, 62, where they were enumerated on the 1880 census.  Rebecca still had children at home - Maria, 27, and sons Madison, 23, and Andrew 20.  David was 40 and with him were his daughters, Cora, 13, and Delphia, 10.

On April 6, 1882, David remarried to Emmaline Kelter/ Kelty Greenwood, who also had been married before and had some children.  In fact, in 1900, she reported that she had had 8 children and 5 were living.  David was about 20 years older than Emmaline.  Some of those children were still at home, and David and Emmaline had little Florence, who was 2 in 1900.

By 1910, Emmaline reported having 12 children, with 5 living, so she must have lost some children along the way after Florence.  David was 70 years old and Emma's son, John, 25, was home to help with farming, along with Carrie and Florence.  

David Blosser died on May 5, 1919.
His obituary appeared in the Bryan Democrat on May 16, 1919.

"DAVID BLOSSER

Daniel, second son of Peter and Rebecca Blosser, was born July 1, 1839, Seneca  County, Ohio, near Fostoria, and died at his home in Farmer, Ohio, May 5, 1919, aged 79 years, 18 months and 5 days.  He was united in marriage on June 1866, to Mary Alice Riley, to which union was born two daughters, Cora Alice and Delphia R.  The mother was taken away from her little family in October, 1874, and Cora joined her in the better land in January 1916.

Mr. Blosser , with his family, moved first to the old Blosser farm 1 1/2 miles west of Farmer, where he remained until he settled on his own place south of Farmer and there he resided many years, up until October, 1913, when because of his failing health, he bought a home in Farmer.

He was a soldier during three years of the Civil War, as a member of Co. K, 101st Reg. and in active service from August 12, 1862, down through Tennessee, the Tullahoma Campaign, Chickamauga, Ga., Siege of Atlanta from July 28 - Sept. 2, 1864, back again to Franklin, Tenn., where was fought one of the hardest won battles of this war.  Thence to Nashville in Dec. 1864, then home with all laurels well earned and practically without a scar except one slight wound.  This is a wonderful war record and will always be a great source of pride to his children and grandchildren.

April 6, 1882, he was again united in marriage to Emmaline Kelter Greenwood and in this union was born ten children, five of whom preceeded their father's fate, the better world.  Those left to mourn their loss are Delphia R., Sherman D., John W., Edith V., Carrie E., and Florence Marie.  Besides these are seven grandchildren, two brothers, one sister, his faithful wife and a host of other relatives and friends.

Mr. Blosser was a familiar figure in the social and religious life of the community and will be sorely missed, especially by his old soldier friends and in the church in which he was so regular in attendance as long as health permitted.  He was baptized with the Church of Christ by Charles Reign Schoville on the eighth of October, 1898, and remained a faithful, active member until his death.  Twenty years and seven months of work for the Master should gain great glory."

More information on David Blosser at www.findagrave.com