Bio: Charles Blado (1866  - ?)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: BLADO, KRAHN, SCHULTZ, SPLITTGERBER

----Source: 1918 History of Clark Co., WI, by Franklyn, Curtiss-Wedge

CHARLES BLADO, who is engaged in agricultural operations on a farm of eighty acres in Loyal Township, was born near Berlin, Germany, June 2, 1866, son of August and Christiana (Krahn) Blado. The father, who was a day laborer in Germany, came to the United States in 1882, with his wife and five children-Minnie, Charles, Frank, August and Bertha. They settled in Loyal Township, Clark County, where the mother had a sister, a Mrs. William Schultz.

After working out for a while August Blado bought a tract of eighty acres in Section 1, Loyal Township, the land being wild and wooded. On this he built a three-room log house, with an attic, and also a log stable. The first year he had only his hands with which to work, and it was two years before he succeeded in getting an ox team. In place of a wagon he used the kind of rude sled called a "jumper," which was much used by the pioneer settlers. With this assistance he began the clearing of his farm, a task which in time he completed, residing there until his death, in 1901, at the age of 70 or 71 years.

His wife died at the age of 60, some twenty-three years ago. He was a member of the German Lutheran Church, and took part in the building of the old log church in Section 3, and later, helped to build the church in Loyal. Charles Blado was 16 years of age when his parents came to Clark County. His education was acquired in the public and Lutheran parochial schools, and he, subsequently, helped his father to clear the home farm, as he got a little older doing most of the work. Later, he replaced the old log house with a brick house of eleven rooms, also putting up a basement barn 40 by 72 feet, and good outbuildings, making all necessary improvements. This place he still operates, raising a good grade of stock.

He is an officer of the German Lutheran Church, and helped to build the second church of that denomination, and also the. present church in Loyal. Mr. Blado was married March 29, 1894, to Emma Splittgerber, who is a native of the same part of Germany as himself, and who settled in Iowa with her parents. He and his wife have two children-Elsie and Martha. The wife died June 18, 1917, age 43 years. She was born Feb. 11, 1874.

Family Notes

I have been interested in Clark County for some time now my family on my Dad's side came from the Area of Chili and Granton, WI. I have some pictures and information on the Charles Bladl family (brother of) and John Bladl family of Granton. Also the Martens of Chili, WI.

My Grandfather John Bladl married Catherine Martens daughter of Arnold and Elizabeth Martens at St. Stephens on June 6, 1911. The brothers Charles and John Bladl came to Clark county around 1900 from Minnesota. John lived in Granton were he operated a Harness shop and later did some farming before moving to Plain, WI. Charles Bladl operated the Eagle Hotel and Tavern in Granton and also did some farming prior.

Tom Bladl