CLEMENS BLOCKER

While "the race is not always to the swift nor the battle to the strong," the invariable law of destiny has accorded to tireless energy, industry and ability a successful career. The truth of this assertion is abundantly verified in the life of Mr. Blocker, an enterprising farmer and postmaster at St. Benedict. A native of Germany, he was born in Oldenburg on the 14th of January, 1852, his parents being Francis Joseph and Mary Agnes (Klosterman) Blocker. They, too, were natives of Germany and the mother died in that country. The father, however, came to America about 1882, making his way direct to Nemaha county, where he died the same year at the age of seventy-six years.

Clemens Blocker is the thirteenth in order of birth in his family of fourteen children, but only three are now living. He spent his boyhood and youth in the land of his nativity and in 1870 sailed to the new world, coming at once to Kansas. He began work for his brother in a general store in Seneca, remaining with him for two years, after which he went to Dubuque county, Iowa, where he was employed as a farm hand by the month for a year. Subsequently he conducted a saloon in that county for about nine months and then sold out. Wishing to gain a better education than had hitherto been accorded him, he attended school and prepared himself for teaching, which profession he followed for three years in Delaware county, Iowa, and for four years in Dubuque county. In 1884 he returned to Nemaha county and was made the first postmaster at St. Benedict. He afterward established a little store there and carried on general merchandising, constantly enlarging his stock to meet the growing demands of his trade. He carried a stock valued at seven thousand dollars and for a number of years enjoyed a very liberal patronage. In 1897, however, he sold his store in order to give his attention more exclusively to farming. In 1893 he purchased sixty acres of land and in 1899 bought an additional tract of forty acres. The greater part of this lies within the village limits of St. Benedict; in fact Mr. Blocker owned the town site and still has in his possession most of the property of the village. He has erected a number of residences there and has contributed more largely than any one else to the substantial improvement and upbuilding of the place. In connection with his farming interests he is engaged in the breeding of fine stock, making a specialty of red polled cattle.

On the 19th of September, 1883, in Iowa, Mr. Blocker was united in marriage to Miss Anna Hoefler, a native of Dubuque county. They now have five children: Clara Dora, Anna Ahnes, Mary Katherina, Clemens John and Veronica Frederick. All were born in St. Benedict and the parents and children attend St. Mary's Catholic church. In the business affairs of life Mr. Blocker has won creditable success, his energy instead of fortune sustaining him in the commencement of his business career. His well directed efforts brought to him a handsome pecuniary reward and an upright, honorable life has gained to him the warm regard of an extensive circle of friends.