Wadsworth semi-weekly dispatch. [volume] (Wadsworth, Nev.) 1899-1904, 1900-08-03
DEATH OF J. "A.
OSSOM I'M.
Short Sketch Of his Life
Nevada Promoter and
Pioneer.

health had been failing for some
months. and after having spent
the Spring in the Waldeck Sana-
torium at San Francisco consulting
with the most eminent physicians on
the Coast. who held out no hope to
him Of recovery. he returned to his
home to be with his family in his last
hours. In possession Of all his facul
ties to the last, with mind as clear as
ever, with the true courage that has
ever characterized the man, he waited
for the end.
!. A. Blossom was born In Miamis-
burg, Montgomery County. Ohio, June
9. 1886. At the age Of twenty he left
his home and went to Missouri to take
charge Of a land office in the interest
OF an Eastern company, where he e
manned until March, 1850, when he
came to California by the way Of the
lsthmus Of Panama. and located in
Tehama County. In 1861 he came
to the Territory Of Nevada. and settled
in what Is now Humboldt County. be-
ing one Of the first locators Of the cele-
brated Humboldt mines. He was me
Of the founders Of Star City. Of Galena,
of Lewis. a pioneer resident of Dun
Glen. Of Winnemucca. Of Battle Noun
tain. always In the front ranks Of the
hardy heroes who blazed the way for
civilization in the State OF Nevada. In
Battle Mountain where he has resided
for many years. he built the first house.
with the exception Of the railroad sta
ton house. ~erected in that town.
In 1879, under contract, he graded
the Nevada Central Railroad from
Battle Mountain to Austin. employing
as high as 800 men and 500 horses in
the work. He was the most extensive
ireighter in thai part Of the State when
hundreds Of thousands Of dollars of
capital were required to carry on such
business. His transactions in mines
and livestock have always been extern
Aye, He opened the way for artesian
we'll boring on the deserts in 1890 and
was granted State bounty for his sue
cess. He acquired large interests in
the Kennedy mines, and part Of the I'M
finished work men Of his character
must leave to others Is the finding Of a
process to successfully work the rich
but rebellious ores OF that district. OF
late years the major part Of his time
and effort has been given to operations
IN mines. In the past five years he
accomplished wonderful work in the
copper prospects Of Lander County and
was hopeful Of living to see the fruition
of his laboTs there In the establishment
OF reduction works and the production
of ore to give that section name and
tame. He built up and maintained
through all the years one Of the largest
merchandising establishments in the
State and ranges and ranches of vast
acreage. To perpetuate his extensive
business he recently caused the .incor-
poration OF the Blossom & Blossom
Company. to run for fifty years, at a
capitalization Of 5000, 900, with princi-
pal place OF business at Battle Noun
4 ain. 4
He wa married in April, 1866. to
III. IS Efvira Hunter. at Star City,
IL, ada, who survives him. and Of the
,siie there are three children living, r.
ot the Central Nevadan, James, a
uIoen at Santa Clara College and a
OF splendid promise. and a
MISS urace' wen Nno"i Q
| Of the newspaper men in the State.
We rev ere me memories OF Su0h
en- asI.4 y 0ioSs0m' because WiSuo'n
gained bv age, learning requires The
i Of years, ana experience U DC
.obt hv tim :. He possessed these