Joachim "Joe" Zuehlke Blohm was born, baptized & confirmed in "Prussia" Pommern (Pomerania), Germany, the son of Carl Blohm and Dorothea Zuehlke. His siblings were Louise Blohm, Caroline Carl Blohm, and Johann "John" Zuehlke Blohm. He came to America at the age of 17 (1868) and located in Ottawa, Illinois. Joe became a naturalized citizen on 26 October 1868.

In Ottawa, Illinois, Joe had relatives: a sister Herietta married to a house carpenter, William Godemann, and their son Adolph Godemann. Near Grand Rapids, Joe worked as a farm laborer, and in Ottawa, he married Fredericka Berg, the daughter of Ludwig F. "Lewis" and Maria C. "Mary" Peters Berg, on 16 July 1881. Frederika's sibling were Minnie, married Murtle Graves, William Berg, and Fred Berg. The Berg family immigrated to the USA in 1874, and settled in Grand Rapids, IL.

Joe & Fredericka lived in Ottawa, Illinois for about 6 years, then moved to Hamlin, Audubon County, Iowa and began farming. They lived 1 mile west and 3/4 mile north of Hamlin, then in three years in Douglas Township, and then in Sharon Township, and in 1913, they retired to Audubon, Iowa.

Joe and Fredericka were some of the founders of the St. John's Lutheran church in Audubon. Joe served as Elder, treasurer, and janitor. Many times they had student pastors and usually they had a place to stay at the Blohm's.

Other relatives included a nephew Adolph Godemann of Ottawa, Illinois; and a granddaughter Margaret Cora Hoover who lived with Joe & Fredericka many years.

Memories of Grandpa Joe from his granddaughter Arlene Blohm:
Joe was known for his cheerful disposition, a very quiet and patient man who enjoyed listening. He did not get riled nor uneasy. He spoke both German and English. When he talked on the telephone to his son William, if someone listened in, he spoke German.

"Pa" as they called him, walked to town for shoestrings and brought the wrong color or length (for Margaret's high top shoes). He just turned around and walked back for the right ones.

The tools of his trade were spade, spading fork, rake, hoe, and wheelbarrow. In true German fashion, every bit of ground was put into garden to feed the family through the year. A narrow brick walk went from southeast corner of the house south to the chicken pen and little barn on the alley. The chickens evidently were usually dark ones, Rhode Island Reds, Buff Orphingtons, or Barred Rocks, furnishing eggs and meat. When progress of Audubon as a town, eliminated keeping chickens, the coop and pen were torn down and that area was planted to mostly potatoes and sweet corn. On the fence line between the walk and the chicken pen were plum and apple trees, on the north part of the lot east of the house were apple and cherry trees, along east line were grapevine and rhubarb. The main garden had carrots, turnips, beets, beans, onions, and tomatoes as well as spring vegetables and never a weed.

Many times in good weather, Grandpa would walk to the farm, at least 5 miles, and Uncle Henry would take him home again. Grandpa never drove a car, but converted the barn into a garage for Uncle Fred's ford. In later years, Grandpa spent a lot of time in the old rocking chair by the dining room window to the west. He could look out over town to the countryside beyond. He knew adventure, progress, contentment, and to be thankful for every blessing.

Note of 2 additional children from Ancestry member:
1. "Herman Blohm", born 07 June 1884, Ottawa, La Salle County, Il. Died 09 September 1884.
2. "Brother" born & died 11 May 1887 Ottawa, La Salley County, IL.