Buena Vista County, IA
USGenWeb Project

Lars E. Bladine, owner of the Marathon Republic since August, 1895, has continuously and capable filled the position of postmaster since December, 1897. He was born in Sweden on the 25th of February, 1875, his parents being John and Catherine Bladine, the former a furniture dealer.

Lars E. Bladine acquired his education in the schools of Alta, Buena Vista county, Iowa, and subsequently, having determined to familiarize himself with the printing business, served his apprenticeship in the office of the Alta Advertiser, then published by Thomas Walpole. He left the Advertiser office to assist L. C. Bradford in resurrecting the Marathon Republic in 1892, at which tie the paper was sold to Henry Stevens. Afterward he worked as a journeyman printer, and in August, 1895, bought the Marathon Republic, which he still owns. In December, 1897, he was appointed postmaster by Charles Emory Smith, postmaster general, was reappointed in 1900 by President McKinley and in 1904 and 1908 received the appointment to that office from President Roosevelt. His long retention in the position stands in incontrovertible evidence of his promptness and fidelity in the discharge of his duties and he is widely recognized as one of the best public officials and newspaper men of the county.

On the 31st of May, 1900, at Newell, Iowa, occurred the marriage of Mr. Bladine and Miss Inez W. Waterman, a native of Newell and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Wateran, her father being a pioneer settler and merchant of Buena Vista county. By this union has been born on son, Burrows.

A stanch republican in his political views, Mr. Bladine has always taken an active part in the local work of the party and for ten years has been a member of the county central committee, of which he served as chairman in 1901. Fraternally he is connected with Universal Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Marathon, Iowa, Sioux Rapids Chapter, R. A. M., Crusade Commandery, K. T., Cherokee and Za-Ga-Zig Temple, A. O. N. M. S., of Des Moines, Iowa. He is likewise president of the Corn Belt Editorial Association. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bladine are widely and favorably known throughout the entire community, having gained many friends during the long period of their residence here.