Bleimes Family History
Chapter 4. George (4)
After years of research, I still have no idea where the name Ryle came from. It would appear to be a British thing, otherwise - ?? Still, it is unique in this family, which is handy amongst a line of Georges who seem to have no middle names.
Digression: Going back through the Bleimes line is to spend some time
in Chicago. It is and was an outstanding place. What other city has become
famous for its vile-smelling stockyards? You can find much to read on
the subject, but only a couple of items need to be mentioned as bearing
upon our story. One of course is the fire in 1871 that destroyed not only
people and property, but many priceless records. Another is the confusing
revamping of the street naming and numbering system that occurred soon
after the end of the 19th century. Examples: Clybourn Avenue began at
number One and progressed NW. Today its digits start at whatever is the
appropriate number for West Division Street, which is about 1200. Many
streets were renamed arbitrarily. Cedar became Superior. Indiana became
Ferdinand, etc, etc. End of digression – back to George Number 4:
His parents, George and Harriet (Marshall) Bleimes, brought him into the
Chicago world 5 July 1891. Fifth child, he was the first boy. Public schooling
took him through the 8th grade.
In August of 1914 he married Elizabeth “Betty” Harris of Chicago.
They divorced after one year. Although we know nothing specific about
this pairing, in later years he expressed his opinion that “-a man
should marry someone better than himself”. That statement led me
to guess that it was a reflection of his failed marriage though he never
mentioned it to me.
No information about his occupations other than selling has surfaced.
He sold automobiles, toys, insurance and stoves. - Unless you count his
service in WW I, when he was a front-line medic and ambulance driver.
He enlisted in 1917, got training in Oklahoma, then went to France with
the 110th Sanitary Train, 35th Division. He selected and picked up wounded
soldiers for treatment. Attaining the rank of Sergeant First Class, he
did this until the armistice, then had a few months in the Army of Occupation,
and arrived back in 1919 for discharge in Kansas.
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At some point along the line of army duty he inhaled some enemy phosgene gas and felt the effects for years after. Most likely, the gas weakened his heart and shortened his life. |
The Moore Brothers Co. of Joliet, Illinois was George’s employer for the longest and most recent period. They manufactured both cooking and heating appliances, fired by either gas or solid fuel. His customer calls ranged from hardware and furniture stores to .large department stores such as Halle Bros. of Cleveland and Crowley-Milner of Detroit. One time he turned in an order for a (railroad) carload of various stoves to be dropped off piecemeal at various customers along a planned route. This earned him a commendation from the factory, as well as a sweet commission. Another time he won second place in a company sales contest. The prize was any pair of shoes from any store of his choice. (1st prize had been a suit).
Although he shoved a few stoves around when necessary, he led a mostly
sedentary life. Long hours of driving, putting 20-40,000 miles per year
on his cars, and entertaining prospects made for a lifestyle that contributed
to having angina, plus he smoked heavily, drank some whisky and never
exercised. This life, of just forty-six years, ended 15 January 1938,
in bed at home.
