He was born on 28 November 1834, in Saxony, Germany. [sources: date: 19, 25 (Nov 1835); 6 (23 in 1863), 8 (23 in 1863), 9 (23 in 1863), 10 (23 in 1863), 20 (29 Nov 1884 [sic]), 21 (34 in 1860), 23 (35 in 1870), 24 (46 in 1880), 26 (75 in 1910), 27 (85 in 1920). place: 23, 24, 27; 6, 8, 9, 10, 19, 21, 25, 26]
In 1852, he immigrated. [sources: 25, 26, 27]
In 1852/53, he married Catharine [unknown family name]. She was born in June 1834, in Saxony. They had eight children, including:
[sources: 22, 23, 24, 25 (8 children 5 living in 1900), 26 (8 children 5 living in 1910), 28, 29]
He was naturalized in 1860. [source: 27]
In 1860, he may have been living in Baltimore, Maryland. If so, he was living with his (presumed) wife Catharine, and (presumed) children Edward, Joseph, and Peter, along with others. He was a farm laborer. [source: 21]
When he was enrolled, he was a laborer, and was living in Birmingham, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. [sources: 6, 8, 9, 10]
When he was enrolled, he was 5 feet 3-1/2 inches tall, and had a dark complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair. [sources: 6, 8, 9, 10 (5'5-1/2")]
He was drafted. He was enrolled and mustered into service in company L of the 62nd Pennsylvania on 10 July 1863. He was enrolled for three years, in Allegheny [County], Pennsylvania. He was mustered into service as a private, at Allegheny, Pennsylvania. His service was credited to the 22nd Congressional District. [1, 6, 8, 9, 10, 14 (20 Jul 61), 16, 20 (25 Aug 63), 32]
He was transferred on 20 July 1864 from company L of the 62nd Pennsylvania. On 21 July 1864, he, and the other members of companies L and M of the 62nd Pennsylvania, were assigned to company G. On 22 July 1864, they were transferred to company K, following brigade orders to assign them to the smallest company. He was then present, as a private. He served as a private in company K. [sources: 1, 3, 4, 9, 10, 32]
On 10 October 1864, he received a furlough for ten days, to visit his home in Burmingham, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, because of illness in his family. He did not return when the furlough was over. He was reported absent without leave starting 21 October 1864. He was reported as a deserter on 30 November 1864. He was arrested as a deserter, and returned to the regiment, on 9 January 1865. [sources: 2, 5, 11, 12, 13]
In January 1865, he was tried by court martial. [source: 15]
He mustered out with his company on 20 [sic] July 1865. He was a private, in company K. [sources: 1, 10, 14 (20 Jul), 16 (10 July), 20 (10 Jul), 21 (10 Jul), 32]
The Pennsylvania State Archives card refers to a "letter from W[ar] D[epartment] on file dated 6-8-86", but unfortunately doesn't summarize the contents. [source: 10]
In 1870, he was living in Baldwin Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Catharine, and their (presumed) children Peter, Joseph, Catharine, John, and Lena. He was a boat carpenter. [source: 23]
In 1880, he was living at Browns Station of the Pennsylvania and Ohio Railroad, in ward 23, Pittburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Catharine, and children Catharine, John, and Lena. He was a laborer. [source: 24]
On 5 May 1884, he successfully applied from Pennsylvania for a pension. [sources: 14, 18]
In 1890, he was living in ward 22, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. [source: 16]
In 1900, he was living on Willock Street, ward 22, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Catharine. He was not working. [source: 25]
On 1 March 1907, he again applied for a pension, under the Act of 6 February 1907. His application was successful, with the certificate issued on 2 October 1907. He received $15 per month, retroactive to 1 March 1907. [sources: 14, 31]
On 22 December 1909, a pension certificate was issued, increasing his pension to $20 per month, retroactive to 4 December 1909. [source: 31]
In 1910, he was living on Etwin Avenue, ward 14, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Catherine. He was retired. [source: 26]
On 20 February 1913, a new pension certificate was issued, increasing his pension to $30 per month, retroactive to 31 May 1912, under the Act of 11 May 1912. [source: 31]
On 10 June 1918, his pension was increased, to $40 per month. [source: 31]
On 1 May 1920, his pension was increased, to $50 per month, apparently under the Act of 1 May 1920. [source: 31]
In 1920, he was living on Etwin Avenue, ward 14, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Catharine, their son Joseph, their daughter Lena, and Lena's family. He was not working. [source: 27]
On 21 November 1920, his wife, Catherine Blum, died, in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. [source: 30]
On 6 February 1922, a pension certificate was issued, increased his pension to $72 per month, retroactive to 27 December 1921. [source: 31]
He died on 4 June 1922, at Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was retired. He died of uremia (duration 5 days), with chronic interstitial nephritis contributing. On 8 June 1922, he was buried, in the Homestead Cemetery, Homestead, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. [sources: 14, 17, 19, 20 (1 Jun), 21]
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster)
2 Charge and specification preferred against Private John Blum.
3 special order 65, HQ 91st PA, 21 July 1864 (John Blumm)
4 special order 66, HQ 91st PA, 22 July 1864 (John Blumm)
5 company K, register of deserters, entry 28 (John Blum)
6 company K, descriptive roll (John Blumm)
7 company K, second descriptive roll (John Blum)
8 company K, third descriptive roll (John Blum)
9 company K, fourth descriptive roll (John Blum)
10 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 13 May 2005 (John Blum)
11 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 30 November 1864 (Privt Blum)
12 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 21 October 1864 (not named)
13 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 10 January 1865 (Privt Blumm)
14 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company K (John Blum)
15 National Archives Archival Research Catalog (accessed 24 July 2010) (John Blum; 2 entries)
16 1890 US census, veterans' schedule, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, ward 22, supervisor's district 9, enumeration district 112, page 1 (image 276/413 on Ancestry) (John Plumm [sic])
17 Pennsylvania death indices, 1922 (accessed 24 May 2013) ('B 450 John B Blum 54973 Pgh 6/4')
18 pension index, by name (John Blum)
19 death certificate, Pennsylvania, Alleghany County, 4 June 1922, file number 54973 (John B Blum)
20 Pennsylvania veterans burial cards 1777-1999 (John Blum)
21 Find a grave, memorial 96926978, created by RobMinteer57, added 12 Sep 2012, accessed 24 October 2013 (John B Blum)
22 1860 US census, Maryland, Baltimore, district 12, microfilm series M653, film 469, page 976 = 80 handwritten (FamilySearch) (John Bloom)
23 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, Baldwin Township, microfilm series M593, film 1292, page 686 recto = 23 handwritten (FamilySearch) (John Plume [sic])
24 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, 23rd ward, enumeration district 9, microfilm series T9, film 1094, page 1 A = 1 handwritten (FamilySearch) (Jno Plum [sic])
25 1900 US census, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, ward 22, enumeration district 261, microfilm series T623, film 1362, page 275 = 12 A (FamilySearch) (John Plum [sic])
26 1910 US census, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, ward 14, enumeration district 464, microfilm series T624, film 1304, page 85 = 14 A (FamilySearch) (John Blum)
27 1920 US census, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, ward 14, enumeration district 545, microfilm series T625, film 1522, page 100 = 1 B handwritten (FamilySearch) (John B Bloom)
28 Find a grave, memorial 96926976, created by RobMinteer57, added 12 Sep 2012, accessed 24 Oct 2013 (Catharine Ann Blum)
29 Pennsylvania death indices, 1924 ('CATHERINE B BLUM PGH B450 02 9 13 24 83693')
30 Pennsylvania death indices, 1920 ('B450 Catherine Blum 110191 Pgh 11/21')
31 Veterans administration pension payment cards, 1907-1933, National Archives and Records Administration, microfilm series M850, film 195 (John Blum)
32 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John Blum)
| line | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| Dwelling number | 534 | |||||||
| Family number | 548 | |||||||
| Name | David Connelly | Eliza " | Margaret Morris | John Bloom | Catharine " | Edward " | Joseph " | Peter " |
| Age | 32 | 22 | 18 | 34 | 40 | 7 [?] | 4 | 1 |
| Sex | M | F | F | M | F | M | M | M |
| Color | ||||||||
| Occupation | Carpenter | Farm Laborer | ||||||
| Value of real estate owned | ||||||||
| Value of personal estate | ||||||||
| Place of birth | Maryland | " | " | Germany | " | Maryland [sic] | " | " |
| Married within year | ||||||||
| Attended school within year | ||||||||
| Cannot read & write | 1 | |||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| Dwelling-house number | 165 | ||||||
| Family number | 172 | ||||||
| Name | Plume [sic] John | - Catharine | - Peter | - Joseph | - Catharine | - John | - Lena |
| Age | 35 | 36 | 15 | 14 | 8 | 6 | 2 |
| Sex | M | F | M | M | F | M | F |
| Color | W | W | W | W | W | W | W |
| Occupation | Boat Carpenter | Keeping H | Working in S.M. | Driver in C.M. | At Home | " " | " " |
| Real estate value | |||||||
| Personal estate value | |||||||
| Birthplace | Saxony | " | Penna | " | " | " | " |
| Father foreign born | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Mother foreign born | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Birth month if born within year | |||||||
| Marriage month if married within year | |||||||
| Attended school past year | |||||||
| Can't read | |||||||
| Can't write | 1 | ||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. | |||||||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old | 1 | ||||||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ... |
| line | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| street name | Browns Station P + O R R | ||||
| house number | |||||
| dwelling visit # | 2 | ||||
| family visit # | 2 | ||||
| name | Plum [sic[ Jno | - Catharine | - Catharine | - Jno | - Lena |
| color | W | W | W | W | W |
| sex | M | F | F | M [?] | F |
| age | 46 | 46 | 18 | 15 | 12 |
| month born if born in year | |||||
| relationship | Wife | Daughter | Son | Daughter | |
| single | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| married | 1 | 1 | |||
| widowed/divorced | |||||
| married during year | Labourer | Keeping House | " | At School | " |
| occupation | |||||
| months unemployed | |||||
| currently ill? | |||||
| blind | |||||
| deaf/dumb | |||||
| idiotic | |||||
| insane | |||||
| disabled | |||||
| school this year | 1 | 1 | |||
| can't read | |||||
| can't write | |||||
| birthplace | Saxon | Saxon | Penna | Penna | Penna |
| father's birthplace | Saxony | Saxony | Saxony | Saxony | Saxony |
| mother's birthplace | Saxony | Saxony | Saxony | Saxony | Saxony |
| line | 36 | 37 |
| street | Willock str | |
| house number | ||
| dwelling number | 190 | |
| family number | 203 | |
| name | Plum [sic] John | - Catharine |
| relationship | Head | Wife |
| color | W | W |
| sex | M | F |
| birth date | Nov 1835 | June 1834 |
| age | 64 | 65 |
| married? | M | M |
| # years married | 47 | 47 |
| mother of how many children? | 8 | |
| # of children living | 5 | |
| birthplace | Germany | Germany |
| father's birthplace | Germany | Germany |
| mother's birthplace | Germany | Germany |
| immigration year | 1852 | 1852 |
| # years in USA | 48 | 48 |
| naturalized citizen? | Na | |
| occupation | ||
| # months not employed | ||
| # months in school | ||
| can read | yes | yes |
| can write | yes | yes |
| speaks English | yes | yes |
| owned/rented | O | |
| free or mortgaged | F | |
| farm/house | H | |
| # of farm schedule | ||
| line | 8 | 9 |
| street | ETWIN AVE | |
| house nr | X | |
| dwelling nr | 238 | |
| family nr | 251 | |
| name | Blum John | - Catherine |
| relationship | Head | Wife |
| sex | M | F |
| color | W | W |
| age | 75 | 75 |
| marital status | M1 | M1 |
| #years present marriage | 58 | 58 |
| mother of # children | 8 | |
| mother of # living children | 5 | |
| birthplace | Ger German | Ger German |
| father's birthplace | Ger German | Ger German |
| mother's birthplace | Ger German | Ger German |
| immigrated | 1852 | 1852 |
| naturalized/alien | Na | |
| speaks English | English | English |
| occupation | Retired | None |
| nature of industry etc. | ||
| employer etc. | ||
| out of work 15 Apr 1910? | ||
| # weeks out of work 1909 | ||
| can read | Yes | No |
| can write | Yes | No |
| school since 1 Sep 09 | ||
| owned/rented | O | |
| owned free or mortagaged | F | |
| farm/house | H | |
| nr on farm schedule | ||
| civil war vet | UA | |
| blind | ||
| deaf & dumb | ||
| line | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 |
| street | Ettwin St | |||||||
| house number | No Nos. | |||||||
| dwelling visit number | 7 | |||||||
| family visit number | 9 | |||||||
| name | Adams Michael J. | - Lena C | - John B | - Lena C | Lennon [?] John J | Bloom Joseph | - John B. | - Catharine K |
| relationship | head | wife | son | daughter | grandson | brother in law | father-in-law | mother-in-law |
| own/rent | O | |||||||
| free/mortgaged (if owned) | F | |||||||
| sex | M | F | M | F | M | M | M | F |
| race | W | W | W | W | W | W | W | W |
| age at last birthday | 55 | 52 | 34 | 25 | 7 | 55 | 85 | 85 |
| marital status | M | M | S | D | S | M | M | M |
| year of immigration | 1852 | 1852 | ||||||
| naturalized/alien | Na | Na | ||||||
| year of naturalization | 1860 | 1861 | ||||||
| attended school since Sept 1919 | Yes | |||||||
| can read | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| can write | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| birth place | West Virginia | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Saxony Ger | Saxony Ger |
| native language | German | German | ||||||
| father's birthplace | Ireland | Saxon Ger | West Virginia | West Virginia | Pennsylvania | Saxon Ger | Saxon Ger | Saxon Ger |
| father's native language | Irish | German | German | German | German | |||
| mother's birthplace | Ireland | Saxon Ger | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Saxon Ger | Saxon Ger | Saxon |
| mother's native language | Irish | German | German | German | German | |||
| can speak English | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| occupation | Laborer | None | fireman | saleswoman | None | Laborer | None | None |
| industry, business | railroad shop | railroad | shoestore | steel mill | ||||
| employment status | W | W | W | W | ||||
| number of farm schedule | ||||||||
| ISSUES. | |||
| CLASS. | RATE. | DATE OF COMMENCEMENT. | DATE OF CERTIFICATE. |
| Reis | 15 | 1 Mch 1907 | 2 Oct. 1907 |
| Inc | 20 | 4 Dec 1909 | 22 Dec 1909 |
| Reis | 30 | 31 May 1912 | 20 Feb 1913 |
| 40 | JUN 10 1918 | ||
| Inc. | 50 | May 1, 1920 | |
| Inc. | 72 | Dec 27 1921 | FEB 6 1922 |