This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: BLOSSOM Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/nZB.2ACE/288 Message Board Post: The Hood River News, Hood River, OR., July 31, 1918, page 1 J.M. BLOSSOM WAS BURIED YESTERDAY James M. Blossom, who had for many years been a unique Hood River character, passed away Saturday at the Cottage hospital, where he had been a patient since he suffered a stroke of paralysis about two years ago. The funeral was held yesterday afternoon at the Unitarian church, with Rev. J.L. Hershner officiating. Mr. Blossom was born at Fort Wayne, Indiana. When he was a boy his parents moved to Portland. Mr. Blossom was educated in the schools there and completed his education at the old Portland Academy. He then studies law and was admitted to the bar, but he never practiced his profession. Instead, he came to Hood River and located on a homestead in the upper valley. He was a bachelor and practically led the life of a hermit. He was an inveterate reader and appreciated the best in literature, notably networks of biography, history and philosophy. In his lonely life he spent many hours pouring over such books. He was a philosopher in his own way and during his life formed many ideas regarding the purposes of life. In conversation he could readily quote many passages from standard literature and was intimate with the lives of many of the world’s greatest men. Beneath a rough exterior he had the mind of a scholar and the heart of a philanthropist. The tatter trait was displayed in the provisions of his will. While he had but a few possessions, he distributed these are among those whom he thought would benefit most from them. His home on Montello Avenue he left to the county, with the provision that it be used as a shelter for destitute persons. Many of his books he left to the Hood River library. Mr. Blossom was a lineal descendant of the Pilgrim Fathers, while one of his ancestors fought as an officer in the Revolutionary War. Surviving him on his brother, R.H. Blossom, and sister, Miss M.L. Blossom, both of Portland. This was posted for reference only. I am not related to, nor am I researching this family. If you have additional information about the person or event listed above, please post it as reply to this message.