Biography of Henry Bloecker

HENRY BLOECKER Human industry has afforded many striking examples, and among the prominent men of Grand Haven, Michigan, who have exhibited those sterling principles of character which lead on to great accomplishments, Henry BLOEKER affords a striking illustration. He is now the Mayor of Grand Haven, and is a man whose upright, capable and honorable career has won a place in the annals of Ottawa County. In him is wonderfully exemplified the rare abilities and great powers of application which have rendered him one of the most distinguished representatives of Grand Haven's advanced and prosperous industries. He was born in Germany, September 6, 1845, and inherits all the thrift, enterprise and perseverance of his Teutonic ancestors. His father, Mark BLOEKER, was a German soldier for many years. Our subject was educated in his native country, and learned the trade of a machinist, following his trade as a journeyman and traveling to many of the principal cities of Germany and France. In 1867 he took passage for the United States, and after an uneventful voyage landed in New York City. From that place he came direct to Grand Haven, Mich., and soon found employment in the Ferris Ottawa Iron Works, remaining with the same until 1879, when he formed a partnership with John BRYCE, under the firm name of BRYCE & BLOEKER, in the manufacturing of general marine engines and all kinds of machinery belonging to tugs, steamers, and, in short, all vessels using steam. This firm continued until the year 1881, when their plant burned and they sustained heavy loss. Later, they reorganized, under the firm name of BRYCE, BLOEKER & Co., and re-built the works on the old site, enlarged them considerably, and put in new and highly improved machinery. This business was continued under the above-mentioned title until 1883, when it was changed to BLOEKER & Co., and still later to Henry BLOEKER & Co., which is the title at the present time. The firm has the best of shipping facilities and during the busy season from thirty to forty men are employed. The happy domestic life of our subject began in the year 1868, when he was married to Miss Mary GLAZAT, a native of Germany, but at the time of her marriage a resident of Grand Haven, whither she had moved with her father. To Mr. and Mrs. BLOEKER were born nine children, eight sons and one daughter; those living are as follows: Hugo, Paul, Fred, Robert, Emma, Ernest and Henry. Those deceased are Erdmann and one. unnamed. Mr. BLOEKER is alive to matters of public importance, and is deeply interested in the success of the Democratic party, with which he has long been identified. He served four years as Alderman of the First Ward, and in April of 1893 he was elected Mayor of Grand Haven. He is President of the National Dotare Association and German Workingmen's Society, and is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of Grand Haven Lodge No. 139, and Grand Haven Chapter No. 84. He is also a member of the Maccabees and is one of the leading Germans of Grand Haven.

Portrait & Biographical Record of Muskegon & Ottawa Counties, Michigan 1893, Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company Pg. 273

Created: 12 August 2002
URL: http://ottawa.migenweb.net/biographies/1893/bloecker.html