Memorials › Charles D. Blassingham

Charles D. Blassingham

7 Feb 1867 – 14 Jun 1926

Birth7 Feb 1867
Death14 Jun 1926
CemeteryBarron Cemetery
Barron , Barron County , Wisconsin , USA
Added byCathy on 08 Nov 2025
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7424213

Bio

MARRIED At the M. E. Parsonage, Barron, Wisconsin, at 1 o'clock p.m., Wednesday, September 18, 1895, Mr. Charles D. Blassingham, of Barron, to Miss Annie Elizabeth Kottke, of Prairie Farm, Wisconsin, Rev. E. R. Sidell, officiating. The groom is one of Barron's well known and industrious young men, having for several years past been an employee in J. W. Taylor's roller mill. The bride is a daughter of one of Prairie Farm's substantial farmers and well and favorably known in this city. The Shield joins their many friends in extending congratulations. [Published Friday, September 20, 1895 in the Barron County Shield, Barron, Wis.] C. D. BLASSINGHAM ENTERS INTO REST POPULAR REGISTER OF DEEDS LOSES BRAVE FIGHT WITH FAILING HEALTH Charles D. Blassingham, for nearly eighteen years the efficient register of deeds of Barron county, district deputy grand master of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, past chancellor commander of the Knights of Pythias, and one of the county's most popular citizens, died early Monday morning, after a brave fight with failing health which has extended over a period o several years. The funeral was held from the Methodist Episcopal church, Thursday afternoon, in charge of the Rev. A. M. Rarkness, who spoke feelingly of the life, service and character of this useful citizen. The floral offerings were unusually profuse and beautiful. The county officials and the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias attended in a body. The interment was in the Wayside Cemetery where the ritual services were conducted by the Odd Fellows. Charles D. Blassingham was born in Plymouth, Marshall county, Indiana, Feb. 7, 1867, the son of Thomas A. and Comfort A. Blassingham, the former of whom, a Barron county pioneer, was a veteran of the Civil War. The family came to Barron county in 1881, and settled in Maple Grove township. After attending school until the age eighteen, the young man entered the employ of J. W. Taylor, in his mill in Barron. Later he took over the operation of the mill and managed it until 1906. Then he moved to Rice Lake, where he operated a mill for two years. In the fall of 1908 he was elected register of deeds in which capacity he has since continued to serve. He was prominent in the Modern Woodmen as well as in the two lodges already mentioned. Mr. Blassingham was married on Sept. 13, 1895, to Anna E. Kottke, who with a son, Lloyd F., electrical engineer, survive him. Expressions of esteem in which Mr. Blassingham was held are heard on every side. Among the statements made by prominent Barron men at Mr. Blassingham's death are these: A. F. Wright, County judge and judge of the juvenile court. "I have known Mr. Blassingham intimately ever since he entered upon the duties of Register of Deeds. For the past eight years I have worked where I came in direct touch with him daily, both officially and socially, and I never knew a more careful painstaking official, nor a more loyal friend." E. N. Stebbins, Past chancellor, Knights of Pythais. "Our departed brother exemplified in full measure the spirit upon which our order is founded, friendship, charity and benevolence. He was the friend of all, and received a full measure of friendship in return. He was charitable to all, and in his conversation he covered with the mantle of tolerance the feelings of his fellow men. His benevolences were many, and he contributed to all worthy causes as his means permitted. In this lodge he received the highest honors, and these honors were well deserved. Pythianism has lost a knight who worthily wore the shining armor of fraternity, and county has lost a valued citizen and official." A. F. Dretzke, District Financial Secretary, I.O.O.F. "There is a vacant chair in the hall of Barron Lodge No. 38, I.O.O.F. Our beloved brother, District Deputy Grand Master, Charles D. Blassingham, who so often counseled and advised us, has been summoned and responded to the call of his Maker. Brother Blassingham, was always an ardent worker in the lodge; faithful to every tenet of the order, and ever laboring to promote its general prosperity. His death has created a vacancy in our order that will be hard to fill. His friendly handshake, his genial welcoming smile are but a memory. "Green lies the turf above thee, brother of our better days; None knew thee but to love thee, none named thee but to praise." Elmer E. Kent, Barron County "Abstract Company. "I have been associated intimately with Mr. Blassingham during the almost eighteen years he has been in office, and my work as an abstracter has brought me in constant and intimate contact with him both personally and as an official. As register of deeds he has been most painstaking and accurate, and I think I can safely say that probably in no county in the state have the real estate records been better kept. His unfailing courtesy at all times have made it a personal pleasure to visit his office even on business. In his death the county has lost a valued official and his friends have lost one who will long be cherished for his upright character, his unswerving integrity, his patience in suffering, and his devotion to the highest ideals of manhood. Clarence C. Coe and Arthur E. Coe, attorneys. "For more than 17 years, Mr. Blassingham devoted himself to the duties of the office of Register of Deeds at a salary which was at all times very moderate, but the fact that the salary was small, did not in any way influence him to neglect or slight the work of the office. "He worked early and late, with only one helper, in order to do the work promptly and well and in order to live up to a rule that he imposed upon himself that all instruments must be recorded with 24 hours after they were received by him. "Some years ago, the state association of registers of deeds adopted an arbitrary scale of prices for recording instruments which did not agree with the prices fixed by law, but Mr. Blassingham refused to use the prices so fixed but always charged the prices for recording which the state establishes. "If an instrument came to the office which was not properly executed or which contained a description not intended by the person who signed the instrument, he immediately made every effort to have the instrument corrected before recording so that there should be no expense to the person making the instrument, afterward. "He wore himself out working for the public at a salary so small that he was unable to accumulate sufficient property to care for his family after his departure. 'After life's fitful fever, he sleeps well.'" J. W. Soderberg, Attorney. "I first became acquainted with C.D. Blassingham when he was employed by J. W. Taylor, as a miller, more than twenty-five years ago. He worked for Mr. Taylor many years. He has always been a steady, reliable and conscientious worker. As a public official he has, at all times, been courteous, accommodating and efficient. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, and especially by all who had dealings with the Register of Deeds' office." Charles A. Taylor, Attorney. "Mr. Blassingham in his untimely death leaves to the comfort of his bereaved family and friends a proud record as a kindly and considerate husband and father, a true and steadfast friend, an upright, clean and law abiding citizen, a conscientious and faithful public officer, then whom Barron county has never had one more competent and efficient. In every position in life he gave the full measure, pressed down and running over. What fairer memory could one aspire to leave in the hearts of his friends? [Published Friday, June 18, 1920 in the Barron County Shield, Barron, Wisconsin.]

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