The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1903-10-14
William +. BlOcher.

William f. Blocher, whose death oc-
Cured Oct. 3, 1908, at Eastcn, Pa, was 80
years Of age. He was born in Harmony
twnshir, Forest county, Pa, Dec. IL,
1870.
He attended school near Fagundus, and
also in Tionesta township, Forest county,
during most of the winter months while
residing with his parents, until a few
years after they moved onto the farm in
Tionesta township. He then went TO
Butler county and pumped oil wells.
Desiring to be a machinist, he went to
Tidioute and worked for Fred Gretten-
berger, and was learning his trade by
practice and by study. During the time
of the Spanish-American war, he went
by way OF Philadelphia to Brooklyn, N.
y. After spending some time looking
around he offered to enlist, passed an
examination by a board of surgeons, and
an examination by the chief engineer.
He was told that the chief engineer was
taking only the very best men. He
passed the examination as machiGist and
enlisted as machinist for one year, and
was to so on the training ship Vermont.
AT the time that tie Spanish fleet was
shut in Santiago Bay he was on The U. S.
ship Aberenda, a collier and transport
near Guantanamo, where it had gone so as
to be in smooth water while coaling the
battleships which anne up from near
Santiago. While near guantanamo they
gave coal to the Oregon, Texas, Marblehead
and to the torpedo boat Porter, and were
distilling water for marines who were on
shore fighting against Spaniards-the U.
S. gunboats were also being used to throw
shells and searchlights. While near
Cuba he volunteered, went ashore with a
rifle and got in trenches with marines
one day on Cuban soil. He was with the
U. S. S. Aberenda at Bahia, Brazil, where
it wen as one of the c%olliers which were
to coal the Oregon and Iowaon their long
voyage into the Pacific Ocean.
After the Spanish-American war was
practically over, and having served since
May. 1898, he applied for his discharge
and received it in March, 1899, with the
understanding that he had done the work
of a tirst-class machinist, but by reason
Of his short stay in the service, he would
have to be rated as a second-class ma
chinist.
Desiring to work at gas engines, he was
employed by Struthers, Wells Il Co., at
Warren, Pa. For a short time he worked
at night, but later on he worked in day
time, in the erecting shop, putting up
gas engines.
He has travelled some for the company,
working at repair work and setting up
gas engines in places where they were to
be used. He was in their employ at
Easton, Pa, where his death occurred.
The funeral and interment took place at
Warmer, Pa, Thursday, Oct. s, 1908.
The funeral sermon was preached by
Rev. Smith, a friend of VIM. E. Blocher,
both being members of churches of the
same denomination
The members of the l. o. o. f. at War
rem, by their care and assistance, have
very kindly shown their respect for their
deceased brother, VIM. Blocher having
been a member of the /. o. o. +. organi-
cation at Warren.
He was married last May to Miss Sta
del. He leaves his widow residing at
Warren, Pa, and his mother, Mrs. Mary
Blocher, three brothers, Howard, Ralph
and Jesse. Three sisters, Ella, MRS. X.
A. %Seigworth), Bertha and Elvira. His
mother. brothers and sisters, with the
exception of Mrs. Sigworth residing in
Clarion county, all reside in Tionesta
Township, Forest county.
His father, P. G. Blocher, now de-
ceased, was born in Erie county, N. Y.
His mother, Mrs. Mary Helm Blocher,
was born and raised in Armstrong coun-
ty, Pa. Not caring to say very much
about himself, his affairs were not very
we'll known.
1t is with the thought hat the facts as
here reported are correct, but not COM
plete, that this is sent for publication. 50