JOHN H. BLOOME was born March 24th, 1831, in Brunswick, Germany. His father, Christopher Bloome, was also born in Germany, and followed the occupation of a farmer. He and his family emigrated to America in the fall of 1852, arriving at St. Louis, where he remained two months. In the spring of 1853 he moved on a place belonging to T. G. Lofton, on section 32, Shaw's Point township, where he lived until his death, which occurred the next fall, at the age of sixty years. His family consisted of nine children, of whom only five are now living. John is the eldest son. He is just reckoned among the most thrifty and energetic farmers of Shaw's Point township. He received his early education in Germany, and emigrated to America when sixteen years of age, in December, 1847. Some weeks later he landed at New Orleans, where he worked at shoemaking until March, 1848; then he went to St. Louis, where he engaged in coopering for three years, after which he moved to Macoupin county, and worked with several farmers until the spring of 1853, when he joined his father in farming. In the spring after his father's death, he, with his sister, two brothers, and step-mother removed to a farm on Hickory Grove. On September 25th, 1857, he was united in marriage by Father Owen to Miss Margrata Leefers, daughter of Herman Leefers.

He bought a farm on section 18, where he now resides. The farm at that time was new and not much improved. He has now about one hundred and sixty acres, with a good brick house and other improvements. Mr. and Mrs. Bloome had had born to them nine children, eight of whom are now living, four boys and four girls.

He is not a partisan politician, but believes in supporting the right man. He now holds the office of school director, which he fills with excellent satisfaction; he has not inclination to make himself prominent in politics, and the above office he accepts solely from an interest in education. He has the welfare of his adopted country at heart; and, like many of his countrymen, he has assisted to make the state of Illinois what we find it today. We have thus briefly sketched the outlines of Mr. Bloome's life. As already intimated, he came to this country a stranger in a strange land; but he was welcomed to the protection of American liberty. Aided by his wife, he has acquired, by industry and frugal habits, a comfortable competency. In the management of the farm he has been very successful. Among his neighbors he bears the reputation of an honorable and upright citizen.