Charles Avon Blondin was born to Antoine Avon Blondin and Josephine Blondin (nee Montpetit) on November 7, 1844 according to family records or May 25, 1843 as stated in his obituary. He was born in Coteau du Lac in the Montréal district of Québec, Canada. He moved to Ogdensburg, New York from Coteau du Lac, a distance of slightly more than 100 miles, about the year 1863. In the USA his dit name became his surname while his Canadian surname became his middle name. In his later years, a newspaper reporter wrote of Charles' experiences with ox-carts, Conestoga wagons and horse-drawn buggies while he was a young man in Ogdensburg. He married Priscilla Richard at Notre Dame Catholic Church in Ogdensburg on August 18, 1865. He was 21 and Priscilla was about 18. Pierre Sylvain and Dominique Blondin, Charles' brother, were the witnesses at the wedding. They moved to Cleveland, Ohio in 1866 and first appeared in the 1866/67 City Directory. He was a blacksmith. For most of his life he lived on the near west side which today is called the West 25th Street area. He was also a musician, playing the violin both for personal enjoyment and professionally.
Charles and Priscilla had 6 children over a thirteen-year period. Abbigail or Abbie as she was called was born October 2, 1868. They had a child names Charles born on January 06, 1870 but he died before he was one year old. A second boy named Charles was born September 16, 1871. Louisa which became Louise sometime after she was married was born July 22, 1874. Ellsworth was born June 9, 1878 and Lillian was born April 15, 1881. Lil's father was 37 and Priscilla was 34 when she was born. When Lil was born her sibling's ages were Abbie 12, Charles 9, Louise 6 and Ellsworth almost 3. The 1900 census showed that Charles was a naturalized citizen in 1870 after coming to the US in 1863.
The family moved frequently, especially in the early years but usually only a short distance staying in the same neighborhood. Although there were times when they lived in the same place for 7 or 11 or 9 years, the annual city directory usually showed them with a new address, more than 23 times.
Their oldest daughter, Abbie, married Henry E. Lane on December 27, 1886 when she was 18. The young couple had a daughter, Cecile, born January 17, 1888 but unfortunately the marriage didn't last and their divorce became final on April 23, 1891. Abbie and her daughter, Cecile, moved back to her parent's home and lived with them until after Cecile was grown and married. Charles married Lizzie Mitchell on January 31, 1895 in St. Patrick's Catholic Church on Bridge Avenue. However, on February 4, 1903 Charles married Alice Andrews (nee Hudson). Since he was married both times in the Catholic Church, his first wife presumably died. Another of Charles and Priscilla's daughters, Louise, married John Thomas Shaughnessy on May 27, 1896 in St. Patrick's Catholic Church on Bridge Avenue in Cleveland when she was 21 years old. Louise and John had five children between 1897 and 1906 but two died as infants. Ellsworth was a talented musician. First giving music lessons, then joining an orchestra in Kenosha, Wisconsin and eventually traveling to Europe to perform. He married once in Wisconsin and once in Illinois. Charles and Priscilla's youngest daughter Lillian never married.
Charles was short in stature but had a big heart. When great grandchildren came along, he was called "little grampa" to differentiate him from their grandfather. From that time on, both children and adults in the family referred to him by that name.
His wife Priscilla died December 4, 1932 at their home at 3340 W. 120th St. in Cleveland. She was 85 years old. Not long after, Charles and his daughter Lillian moved to 4222 Lorain Avenue. At the age of 94, as he was crossing the street on his way to St. Patrick's Catholic Church he was hit by a car and hospitalized for a fractured knee. In a newspaper article about the accident they wrote, "Smooth of cheek and unwrinkled, with a heavy moustache and unruly shock of hair, Mr. Blondin amazed doctors at the hospital with his vitality. They had estimated his age at between 60 and 65. He is retired from his occupation as a blacksmith chiefly because he can find no more work". His daughter Lillian died about a year later on October 3, 1938 at the age of 57. Shortly after her death, he moved in with one of his granddaughters, Adele Smith, and her family at their home in Lakewood on 13519 Fairwood Drive. He lived with them until his death on Sunday, January 16, 1944. He was 99 or 100 years old. After a Requiem Mass at St. Vincent de Paul's Catholic Church at 9:30 AM, he was buried on the following Wednesday in section 12 lot 509 at Calvary Cemetery. Section 12 contained only single graves and was near the section where Priscilla had been buried almost eleven years earlier.
Charles and Priscilla had 6 children over a thirteen-year period. Abbigail or Abbie as she was called was born October 2, 1868. They had a child names Charles born on January 06, 1870 but he died before he was one year old. A second boy named Charles was born September 16, 1871. Louisa which became Louise sometime after she was married was born July 22, 1874. Ellsworth was born June 9, 1878 and Lillian was born April 15, 1881. Lil's father was 37 and Priscilla was 34 when she was born. When Lil was born her sibling's ages were Abbie 12, Charles 9, Louise 6 and Ellsworth almost 3. The 1900 census showed that Charles was a naturalized citizen in 1870 after coming to the US in 1863.
The family moved frequently, especially in the early years but usually only a short distance staying in the same neighborhood. Although there were times when they lived in the same place for 7 or 11 or 9 years, the annual city directory usually showed them with a new address, more than 23 times.
Their oldest daughter, Abbie, married Henry E. Lane on December 27, 1886 when she was 18. The young couple had a daughter, Cecile, born January 17, 1888 but unfortunately the marriage didn't last and their divorce became final on April 23, 1891. Abbie and her daughter, Cecile, moved back to her parent's home and lived with them until after Cecile was grown and married. Charles married Lizzie Mitchell on January 31, 1895 in St. Patrick's Catholic Church on Bridge Avenue. However, on February 4, 1903 Charles married Alice Andrews (nee Hudson). Since he was married both times in the Catholic Church, his first wife presumably died. Another of Charles and Priscilla's daughters, Louise, married John Thomas Shaughnessy on May 27, 1896 in St. Patrick's Catholic Church on Bridge Avenue in Cleveland when she was 21 years old. Louise and John had five children between 1897 and 1906 but two died as infants. Ellsworth was a talented musician. First giving music lessons, then joining an orchestra in Kenosha, Wisconsin and eventually traveling to Europe to perform. He married once in Wisconsin and once in Illinois. Charles and Priscilla's youngest daughter Lillian never married.
Charles was short in stature but had a big heart. When great grandchildren came along, he was called "little grampa" to differentiate him from their grandfather. From that time on, both children and adults in the family referred to him by that name.
His wife Priscilla died December 4, 1932 at their home at 3340 W. 120th St. in Cleveland. She was 85 years old. Not long after, Charles and his daughter Lillian moved to 4222 Lorain Avenue. At the age of 94, as he was crossing the street on his way to St. Patrick's Catholic Church he was hit by a car and hospitalized for a fractured knee. In a newspaper article about the accident they wrote, "Smooth of cheek and unwrinkled, with a heavy moustache and unruly shock of hair, Mr. Blondin amazed doctors at the hospital with his vitality. They had estimated his age at between 60 and 65. He is retired from his occupation as a blacksmith chiefly because he can find no more work". His daughter Lillian died about a year later on October 3, 1938 at the age of 57. Shortly after her death, he moved in with one of his granddaughters, Adele Smith, and her family at their home in Lakewood on 13519 Fairwood Drive. He lived with them until his death on Sunday, January 16, 1944. He was 99 or 100 years old. After a Requiem Mass at St. Vincent de Paul's Catholic Church at 9:30 AM, he was buried on the following Wednesday in section 12 lot 509 at Calvary Cemetery. Section 12 contained only single graves and was near the section where Priscilla had been buried almost eleven years earlier.
Charles Avon Blondin was born to Antoine Avon Blondin and Josephine Blondin (nee Montpetit) on November 7, 1844 according to family records or May 25, 1843 as stated in his obituary. He was born in Coteau du Lac in the Montréal district of Québec, Canada. He moved to Ogdensburg, New York from Coteau du Lac, a distance of slightly more than 100 miles, about the year 1863. In the USA his dit name became his surname while his Canadian surname became his middle name. In his later years, a newspaper reporter wrote of Charles' experiences with ox-carts, Conestoga wagons and horse-drawn buggies while he was a young man in Ogdensburg. He married Priscilla Richard at Notre Dame Catholic Church in Ogdensburg on August 18, 1865. He was 21 and Priscilla was about 18. Pierre Sylvain and Dominique Blondin, Charles' brother, were the witnesses at the wedding. They moved to Cleveland, Ohio in 1866 and first appeared in the 1866/67 City Directory. He was a blacksmith. For most of his life he lived on the near west side which today is called the West 25th Street area. He was also a musician, playing the violin both for personal enjoyment and professionally.
Charles and Priscilla had 6 children over a thirteen-year period. Abbigail or Abbie as she was called was born October 2, 1868. They had a child names Charles born on January 06, 1870 but he died before he was one year old. A second boy named Charles was born September 16, 1871. Louisa which became Louise sometime after she was married was born July 22, 1874. Ellsworth was born June 9, 1878 and Lillian was born April 15, 1881. Lil's father was 37 and Priscilla was 34 when she was born. When Lil was born her sibling's ages were Abbie 12, Charles 9, Louise 6 and Ellsworth almost 3. The 1900 census showed that Charles was a naturalized citizen in 1870 after coming to the US in 1863.
The family moved frequently, especially in the early years but usually only a short distance staying in the same neighborhood. Although there were times when they lived in the same place for 7 or 11 or 9 years, the annual city directory usually showed them with a new address, more than 23 times.
Their oldest daughter, Abbie, married Henry E. Lane on December 27, 1886 when she was 18. The young couple had a daughter, Cecile, born January 17, 1888 but unfortunately the marriage didn't last and their divorce became final on April 23, 1891. Abbie and her daughter, Cecile, moved back to her parent's home and lived with them until after Cecile was grown and married. Charles married Lizzie Mitchell on January 31, 1895 in St. Patrick's Catholic Church on Bridge Avenue. However, on February 4, 1903 Charles married Alice Andrews (nee Hudson). Since he was married both times in the Catholic Church, his first wife presumably died. Another of Charles and Priscilla's daughters, Louise, married John Thomas Shaughnessy on May 27, 1896 in St. Patrick's Catholic Church on Bridge Avenue in Cleveland when she was 21 years old. Louise and John had five children between 1897 and 1906 but two died as infants. Ellsworth was a talented musician. First giving music lessons, then joining an orchestra in Kenosha, Wisconsin and eventually traveling to Europe to perform. He married once in Wisconsin and once in Illinois. Charles and Priscilla's youngest daughter Lillian never married.
Charles was short in stature but had a big heart. When great grandchildren came along, he was called "little grampa" to differentiate him from their grandfather. From that time on, both children and adults in the family referred to him by that name.
His wife Priscilla died December 4, 1932 at their home at 3340 W. 120th St. in Cleveland. She was 85 years old. Not long after, Charles and his daughter Lillian moved to 4222 Lorain Avenue. At the age of 94, as he was crossing the street on his way to St. Patrick's Catholic Church he was hit by a car and hospitalized for a fractured knee. In a newspaper article about the accident they wrote, "Smooth of cheek and unwrinkled, with a heavy moustache and unruly shock of hair, Mr. Blondin amazed doctors at the hospital with his vitality. They had estimated his age at between 60 and 65. He is retired from his occupation as a blacksmith chiefly because he can find no more work". His daughter Lillian died about a year later on October 3, 1938 at the age of 57. Shortly after her death, he moved in with one of his granddaughters, Adele Smith, and her family at their home in Lakewood on 13519 Fairwood Drive. He lived with them until his death on Sunday, January 16, 1944. He was 99 or 100 years old. After a Requiem Mass at St. Vincent de Paul's Catholic Church at 9:30 AM, he was buried on the following Wednesday in section 12 lot 509 at Calvary Cemetery. Section 12 contained only single graves and was near the section where Priscilla had been buried almost eleven years earlier.
Charles and Priscilla had 6 children over a thirteen-year period. Abbigail or Abbie as she was called was born October 2, 1868. They had a child names Charles born on January 06, 1870 but he died before he was one year old. A second boy named Charles was born September 16, 1871. Louisa which became Louise sometime after she was married was born July 22, 1874. Ellsworth was born June 9, 1878 and Lillian was born April 15, 1881. Lil's father was 37 and Priscilla was 34 when she was born. When Lil was born her sibling's ages were Abbie 12, Charles 9, Louise 6 and Ellsworth almost 3. The 1900 census showed that Charles was a naturalized citizen in 1870 after coming to the US in 1863.
The family moved frequently, especially in the early years but usually only a short distance staying in the same neighborhood. Although there were times when they lived in the same place for 7 or 11 or 9 years, the annual city directory usually showed them with a new address, more than 23 times.
Their oldest daughter, Abbie, married Henry E. Lane on December 27, 1886 when she was 18. The young couple had a daughter, Cecile, born January 17, 1888 but unfortunately the marriage didn't last and their divorce became final on April 23, 1891. Abbie and her daughter, Cecile, moved back to her parent's home and lived with them until after Cecile was grown and married. Charles married Lizzie Mitchell on January 31, 1895 in St. Patrick's Catholic Church on Bridge Avenue. However, on February 4, 1903 Charles married Alice Andrews (nee Hudson). Since he was married both times in the Catholic Church, his first wife presumably died. Another of Charles and Priscilla's daughters, Louise, married John Thomas Shaughnessy on May 27, 1896 in St. Patrick's Catholic Church on Bridge Avenue in Cleveland when she was 21 years old. Louise and John had five children between 1897 and 1906 but two died as infants. Ellsworth was a talented musician. First giving music lessons, then joining an orchestra in Kenosha, Wisconsin and eventually traveling to Europe to perform. He married once in Wisconsin and once in Illinois. Charles and Priscilla's youngest daughter Lillian never married.
Charles was short in stature but had a big heart. When great grandchildren came along, he was called "little grampa" to differentiate him from their grandfather. From that time on, both children and adults in the family referred to him by that name.
His wife Priscilla died December 4, 1932 at their home at 3340 W. 120th St. in Cleveland. She was 85 years old. Not long after, Charles and his daughter Lillian moved to 4222 Lorain Avenue. At the age of 94, as he was crossing the street on his way to St. Patrick's Catholic Church he was hit by a car and hospitalized for a fractured knee. In a newspaper article about the accident they wrote, "Smooth of cheek and unwrinkled, with a heavy moustache and unruly shock of hair, Mr. Blondin amazed doctors at the hospital with his vitality. They had estimated his age at between 60 and 65. He is retired from his occupation as a blacksmith chiefly because he can find no more work". His daughter Lillian died about a year later on October 3, 1938 at the age of 57. Shortly after her death, he moved in with one of his granddaughters, Adele Smith, and her family at their home in Lakewood on 13519 Fairwood Drive. He lived with them until his death on Sunday, January 16, 1944. He was 99 or 100 years old. After a Requiem Mass at St. Vincent de Paul's Catholic Church at 9:30 AM, he was buried on the following Wednesday in section 12 lot 509 at Calvary Cemetery. Section 12 contained only single graves and was near the section where Priscilla had been buried almost eleven years earlier.
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Married August 18, 1865
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