(Father) Bliesmer
                       (LaPorte, IN)
                         Mother ?
                            |
                            |

                      Peter Bliesmer
                    b: Germany d: Germany
                    Wilhelmina Westfall
                    b: Germany d: LaPorte
                            |
                            |
              ___________________________________________
             |                  |             |          |
             |                  |             |  Anna Bliesmer
             |                  |             |  Christ Brandt
             |                  |             |  LaPorte
       Marriage 1               |
      Fred W. Bliesmer          |         Marcus H. Bliesmer
      Sophia Hornburg           |         Elizabeth (Kahr?)
             |                  |
             |            August Bliesmer
                          b: Germany d: Michigan
       1st born:          Carolina Mess
       Rosa Blissmer      b: Michigan
    b: NY? d: California
            |                   |
            |                   ________________________
            |                   |            |          |
            |                Lawrence       Olga     August

      Marriage 2
    Fred W. Bliesmer
     Mary Standinger
            |
            |___________________
            |                   |
         2nd born:           3rd born:
       Walter E. Bliesmer   Fred L. Bliesmer
    b: LaPorte d: Colorado   b: LaPorte d: Colorado

ADDED FEB 2004:
The following is a transcribed biography from the book, "A 20th Century History of Berrien County, Michigan", by Orville W. Coolidge, 1908.

Page 441
AUGUST F. BLIESMER The Teutonic race has been an important element in the civilizing influence of the world. The sons of the fatherland have gone to every section of the globe, carrying with them the spirit of enterprise and determination which have ever been manifest in their native country and which have done much for progress and improvement elsewhere. Mr. Bliesmer is among the representatives of the German-American citizenship of the United States. His birth occurred in Holstein, Germany, November 13, 1837**, his parents being Peter and Wilhelmina (Westfall*) Bliesmer, who were likewise natives of that country. The father served in the German Army and died in early manhood. The mother came to the new world after the arrival of her son, August, and died in LaPorte, Indiana about a year ago. In their family were 4 children: Marcus H., who was engaged in the shoe business in LaPorte, Indiana, but died about a year ago; Frederick, who also passed away in LaPorte; August F. of this review; and Anna, the wife of Christ Brandt, LaPorte.
*could Westfall, be Westphal?
PG 442
August F. Bliesmer spent the first 22 years of his life in his native country and was a student in school until fifteen years of age. He afterward learned the shoemaker's trade and in accordance with the laws of his native country he served for three years in the German Army. In 1881**, when a young man of twenty-four years, he crossed the Atlantic, making the voyage in the Fall. He did not tarry on the Atlantic coast, however, but proceeded at once into the interior of the country, settling in LaPorte, Indiana where his grandfather resided. He worked on the railroad for a year and a half, after which he removed to New Buffalo, Berrien County, Michigan, and established a shoe store, manufacturing shoes for the local trade and also carrying ready made goods. He has continued as a shoe merchant of this place since, with the exception of two years spent in LaPorte, Indiana, where he was connected with his brother in the conduct of a shoe store. He now handles a well selected line of shoes, men's furnishings goods and jewelry. He has a large stock and the tasteful arrangement of his stock with reasonable prices and straightforward business dealings have secured him to a gratified patronage and made him one of the prosperous merchants of the village. Mr. Bliesmer is independent in politics. He was, however, elected township treasurer and is now serving for the third term in that position. At the first election he was the nominee of the Republican party and at the last two elections has been nominated by the Democracy. Both parties recognize his ability for office and his promptness and efficiency in the discharge of his duties. He has held various village offices and has been a member of the board of education for the past nine years, the public schools finding in him a warm friend. In New Buffalo, on the 24th of April, 1884, Mr. Bliesmer was married to Miss Maroline* Mess, a native of New Buffalo and a daughter of Peter Mess. Three children grace this union; Lawrence, Olga, and August. The parents are members of the German Evangelical Church and Mr. Bliesmer belongs to Lodge 84, I.O.O.F., and to Lodge 231, K.O.T.M.
The hope that led him to seek a home in the new world has been more than realized, for in this country he found the advantages he sought and by their utilization has steadily worked his way upward until he is now in control of a gratifying business and is ranked among the enterprising merchants and progressive citizens of the village in which he resides.
*other sources show name is Carolina and Caroline Mess.
(Marriage) County record # 2724

**PERSONAL NOTE: According to this article alone, there are discrepancies in the dates. It states he was born November 13, 1837. Then crossed the Atlantic at age 24. This would put his immigration in the year 1861 .... not the stated 1881. Plus, his mother was born in 1824.
However, I would guess that the reverse is true, as an Aug Bliesmer, age 24, can be found in the Germans to America series, traveling aboard the ship CIMBRIA from Hamburg-Havre-New York, arriving on 6 Oct 1881. This would put his birth as 1857. With no further proof that this is the same individual, the digits 3 and 5 are prone to errors. As of yet, there is no name found for his Grandfather in LaPorte.
A convincing connection is the brother to August, Marcus H. Bliesmer, age 27, in Germans to America, traveling aboard the ship HERBER from Hamburg-NY, arriving on 26 Jan 1881, and being a shoemaker.
Click here to read all our transcribed Germans to America name variations on this site.


MORE FEB 2004 DATA:
Book at the Michigan City, IN Public Library
"Cemetery Records of New Buffalo Township", Berrien County, Michigan, by David Savage, 1975.
Published by Genealogical Association of South West Michigan.

PINE GROVE CEMETERY
New Buffalo Township, New Buffalo, Michigan
Bliesmer, Aug F b: 1857 d: 1932
Bliesmer, Caroline b: 1864 d: 1950
Bliesmer, Olga b: 1901 d: 1917
Cemetery is on the S. side of Hwy US 12
(Red Arrow Highway)
across from a factory called Plastic Masters