California Biographies Mendocino and Lake Counties, California Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of Mendocino and Lake Counties, California With Biographical Sketches History by Aurelius O. Carpenter And Percy H. Millberry Illustrated, Complete In One Volume Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1914 JACOB BLOSSER.� To see much of life in the nineteenth century and in different parts of the country was the destiny of Jacob Blosser, whose experiences from 1860 until his death in 1890 were associated with Little Lake valley and Mendocino county. Both he and his wife, who bore the name of Martha Martin, were born and reared in Fayette county, Pa., and belonged to pioneer families of the Keystone state, but, seeking larger oppor- tunities than that region promised to them, they moved in 1837 to West Virginia and settled in the Little Kanawha valley. Ten years later they followed the westward drift of migration and became pioneers of Iowa. When they took up land in Jefferson county in 1847 the environment was that of the frontier. Neighbors were few and improvements conspicuous by their absence. Under such circumstances the discovery of gold in California found them restless, scarcely satisfied to remain, yet dreading to start on the long journey across the plains with their large family of little ones. However, they equipped with care and outfitted with ox-teams and wagons, so that the summer of 1850 brought them neither sickness nor disaster. This was all the more gratifying by reason of the fact that their youngest children were twins, seven months old. The first stop was made at Diamond Springs and the second on the Calaveras river about fifty miles above Stockton. After a brief sojourn in the San Ramon valley. Contra Costa county, in 1852, Mr. Blosser bought a tract of raw land about two and one-half miles from French Camp, San Joaquin county. For eight years he tilled the soil of that farm, and then, disposing of the place, he drove north to Mendocino county and landed in Little Lake valley November 2, 1860. About one mile southwest of Willits he bought a claim and embarked in the raising of cattle and hogs. In addition he owned interests in lumbering. After a long identification with agricul- ture in the valley he passed away at the old home, as did his wife, three years after his own demise. They had been earnest Methodists, giving of their time and means with simple generosity to the cause of the church and singing the Gospel hymns with unabated fervor from youth even down to old age. It was their aim to rear their children to lives of usefulness and Christian service. With constant but uncomplaining self-sacrifice they gave themselves to the duties of parenthood and Christian citizenship, and their passing left the community richer for their lives of integrity, better for their many acts of kindness and benefited by their pioneer steadfastness of char- acter. From the organization of the Republican party until his death Mr. Blosser supported its principles, and as early as 1856 he attended a Repub- lican convention in San Joaquin county, where only nine delegates were present. At that time the principles of the party were little understood or appreciated in any part of the country, but with keen foresight he discerned the value of its platform and its possibilities of service to the country. All through his life he continued to be interested in public affairs and was well posted concerning national issues. In his family there were ten children, namely : Hannah, Mrs. Tanner, who died at French Camp ; Nicholas J., of Willits ; Thomas, residing at Healdsburg; Samuel, now at Santa Maria; William, 'who is engaged in farming near Willits ; Lorenzo, employed at Santa Maria ; Mary, who married Abraham Cropley and died at Willits : John A. and J. Tobias, twins and business partners ; and Daniel J., who also makes his home in Willits.