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  Fourth Draft - April 1, 2011

ANDREW BLILA March 15, 1830--February 2, 1919 Born: Bad Krozingen, Germany Buried: Erie, Pennsylvania Spouse: Gertrude Spacht Children: Frances Ida Blila and Edward Joseph (Wood) Blila [Both Adopted]

-INTRODUCTION

Andrew Blila seems to have been cut from a different piece of cloth than as siblings. While they shared some experiences, Andrew choose to use a different spelling of the family name, and follow unique professions--high-seas sailor, grocery store owner, cabinet maker, real estate speculator/developer and cofounder of the Erie County Historical Society. Like his sibling males, he gained experience through experiences in the maritime service with the unique and unenviable experience of surviving a fiery sinking of a commercial ship on Lake Erie.On this page you will find a summary of resources on his life and the world in which he lived. I hope you enjoy the journey.

Chuck Bliley
March 30, 2011

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• Biography of Andrew's Life -- Written by great great granddaughter Joan Boettcher, Eden Prairie, MN (2010)
• Chronology of Andrew Blila's Life -- Compare Andrew's life's events with his chronological age to put his life in perspective.
• The Sinking of the Steamship Erie -- Here is a monumental and formative incident for a young man of the age of 11. While he survived on a major steamship on the Great Lakes, it catches fire and sinks. Two-thirds of the passengers and crew parish. Andrew is one of the survivors who assists in saving the life of the pilot.
  
  • Buffalo, NY German ethnic newspaper account of the sinking of the Erie. (Circa 1841)
  • A.W. Blila survives burning and sinking of the “Erie” -- Transcribed from the 1908 History of Erie County by John Miller, p. 663-6

In the fall of 2010, I was contacted by a writer of historical documentaries on maritime disasters regarding the sinking of the Steamship Erie. The author, Alvin F. Oickle, asked me to contribute and review this book before its publication in May 2011. I found the book very interesting to read, not only to provide insight on Andrew's participation, but provided insight on the immigration experience as America moved westward. Check out Alvin's book, "Disaster on Lake Erie--The “Appalling Calamity!” of an1841 Shipwreck", by Alvin F. Oickle, published by The History Press.

• Family Photo Gallery

While there are only a few photos of Andrew, I am pleased to present what I have. High-Resolution Photos Low-Resolution Photos

• Documents Relating to Andrew's Life and Family-- A compendium of records including: Naturalization certificate, early business records, adoption papers for his son, passport application for his wife, his obituary, census records (1850 to 1930) and autograph album entries of his mother and wife. Click here to view over 30 High Resolution Images.
• Deeds to Blila Properties
  • Grocery Store -- 931 State Street   PDF, 3.6 Mb
  • Grocery Store on State Street and the Residence at 329 West 9th Street, Erie.  PDF, 500 k
• Trinity Cemetery -- Burial location for Andrew's family and sibling, Charles, and some of his family. (Included are cemetery records of all Bliley burials.)
  • High-Resolution Photos
  • Low-Resolution Photos

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• Family Farm House, 1840s -- Kuhl Road, Harbor Creek Township, Erie, PA (Log cabin; no longer standing)
• Residence in Erie, PA -- 329 West 9th Street

An exquisite house in near center-city that Andrew bought and expanded, then used his talents as a cabinet maker and wood carver to elegantly decorate. Photos were taken during an open house in July 2005 when it was up for sale and was uncluttered. There are no known photos of the house dating to the time period in which Andrew lived there with his family. Click here to view the 2005 tour.

• 327 West 9th Street, Erie, PA -- Reputed to be built by Andrew for his son. No record of him occupying this house. (Still standing in 2011)
• Grocery Store and Carpentry Shop -- N.E. corner of 10th and State Streets, Erie, PA (Still standing) Click here for more information.

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Behold, a wide variety of works of Andrews that include a bedroom set, dining room sideboard, foyer clothes rack, historical artifacts transformed into memorial items. Andrew is also noted for constructing his own burial casket. Regrettably, there are no photos of it. Click here for a photo sampler of his exquisite work.

 

 

 

 

 

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This site and associated images are Copyright 2011, by Charles A. Bliley, Webster, NY, U.S.A.

Permission granted for use in personal genealogy work and non-profit distribution with copyright and source credit.

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