New-York tribune., 1902-07-27
A GREAT BUFFALO CHARITY
JOHN BLOCHER GIVES LARGE FARM
AND 100000 FOR PUBLIC HOMES,
AND PROMISES MORE.
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNAL

tBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNAL
Rochester. July ga charitable enterprise
Of large proportions made possible through
the generosity of John Blocher a prom
inent Methodist layman of Buffalo. and TO be
carried on under the direction of a board OF
corporators representing the territory or the
Genesee Methodist Episcopal Annual Conference,
is described in a special dispatch printed by
The Post Express" from Buffalo to-day.
Mr. Blochers gift includes farm of 11S acres
at Williamsville, Buffalo. known as the
Mineral Springs Farm. To this Mr. Blocher will
add in his lifetime cash gift of 100000 and
eventually by his will this sum will be incre ased
to 100000.
This site is to be used for a great group Of
charities including an orphanage, a hospital,
reformatory, a home for aged people, and. other
institutions which time may show to be need
full adjuncts The title of this institution is to
be The Blocher Homes" Its charter has been
approved by the State Board of Charities. 1t
issued by Judge Kenefick. of the Supreme
Court. Among the corporators are several lead
ing Methodist laymen of Rochester. who are to
constitute a board of trustees. and win hold a
meeting in Buffalo on Monday night, when an
organization under the laws will be effected.
BY the terms of Mr.. Blocher's gift. it is stipu
lated that two-thirds Of the trustees must be
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church
The first building which will be erected will
be the home for aged persons. AS condition,
the trustees are required to raise $4,000. when
the deed for the Mineral Springs Farm will be
| passed them. together with $4,000 in
| cash AS soon as $4,000 has been subscribed
i the work of building will be begun.
Inmates of the home will be taken in ire
spectve of UNCONVENTIONAL affiliations. and both
single persons and married couples Will be elgi-
BILE to admission. In the case of the latter. pro-
vision will be made that husband and wife may
live together a notable innovation in such in
sttutions. 1t is stated that $33 will probably
secure admission to each individual for life The
Rev. DR.. p. J. Merrill. presiding elder of the
Buffalo district will be the superintendent of
the home. Bishop Fowler Will be elected presi-
dent of the board of trustees. and John Blocher
| vice e-preSdent.
The man whose generosity has made this
group of charities possible has been for many
| years trustee in the Delaware Avenue Metho-
dist Episcopal Church. Two years ago he gave
a hundred acre farm to the Roman Catholic
Church site for an old folks home. also at
Williamsvle. now built and in operation. He
also maintains a pew for the of strangers
| in the Church of our Father, Unitarian, in
memory of his son. who died some years ago
! Mr.. BlOcher was born in Scipio. y. Y. in 1928
| He worked on a farm, his father dying when he
| was ten years old. He went to a log school
house three months each winter until he was
twelve when he became a shoemaker apprentice
| aid soon had shop of his own.
When the Civil War broke out Mr. Blocher
! enlisted in the 18th New-York Regiment. but
was discharged in year on account of i'll
health. He recuperated in two years spent in
| outdoor life. and then started shoe factory in
Buffalo, making footwear for the army. Great
| financial success attended this enterprise but
on the death OF his only son. about twenty years
ago. Mr.. Blocher retired from active business
and has since spent his time in managing his
| large fortune His wife. who is still living was
| Miss Elizabeth Neff.