Joseph Cody Blunk

CODY, CODAY, BLUNK

Posted By: Mary Ellen Lanigan (email)
Date: 12/2/2011 at 13:59:07

Joseph C. Blunk prominetly connected with industrial enterprises has devoted his entire life to contract work, concerning his energies largely upon railroad construction, masonary and street work, not only in Ottumwa but in other sections of the country also.

He was born in Ottumwa May 25, 1867 and is the son of Joseph and Margaret (CONLY) Blunk who were natives of Indianna born Sept 6, 1838 and Jan 11, 1838. They were married in illinois on the 24th of April, 1860 and the wife died Oct 30, 1869 after which Mr. Blunk married Sarah Ann Porter, who passed away in 1910. His death occured July 23, 1912 when he had almost reached the ripe old age of 74 years. He had removed Westward to Bloomington, ILL with his parents when he was nine years old and resided there until he enlisted for active service in the Civil War in the Fall of 1861 when he was about thirty three years of age, joining the 4th ILL Cavalry with which he served for three years and six months, or until honorably discharged after the close of hostilities. He had participated in all of the principal battles in which his regiment took part and was particularly fortunate was never wounded. He was in the Army at Shiloh and at Corinth and went with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea. After the war or in 1866 Mr. Blunk became a resident of Ottumwa, where he resided until his death. Here he engaged in contract teaming business and conducted a dray line for about ten years. About 15 years prior to his death he retired from active business and spent his remaining days in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. His political support was always given to the Republican Party for which he believed had the best elements of good government. Fraternally he was connected with the Grand Army of the Republic and for thirty six years he was a member of the Independant Order of Odd Fellows.

Mr. Blunk had a family of four children by his first marriage George who was born in January of 1861 and died September 30, 1862; Eveline who was born August 29, 1865 and died July 14, 1866; Joseph C. and Henrietta who was born September 29th 1869 and died on the 1st of February 1870. There were also two children by his second marriage Amanda May; now the wife of B. Sopher of Ottumwa, and Hattie who died at the age of three.

Mr. Joseph Cody Blunk was born and raised in Ottumwa and has here spent his entire life. When fourteen years of age he started with his father in contract work, and has since engaged in business along that line largely doing railroad construction and masonary and street work. In fact he takes contracts for heavy work of all kinds in and out of Ottumwa. He has done much street paving and throughout the years accorded a liberal and gratifying patronage.

On the 9th os August 1893 Mr. Blunk was united in marriage to Miss. Estella Mae Lewis who was born in Ottumwa in 1874; daughter of Frank P. and Alice Knowde Lewis the former a native of Iowa and the latter of Maryland. They were among the early settlers of Ottumwa. Mr. and Mrs. Blunk have become the parents of five children; Donald J., Daphne, Estella May, Raymond and Alice.