Son of John and Elizabeth Blocher.
It seems that Nelson Blocher either wasn’t inclined toward marriage or was inept at the social skills necessary to secure a bride. Not only was he still a bachelor at age 34, he was living at home. Nelson made frequent buying trips to Europe to purchase leather goods for the family business and art and furniture for the family home. But, when he returned to Buffalo, he was assigned to the rather mundane day-to-day duties of attending to the Blocher business. One day, in the spring of 1881, the Blochers hired a new maid. Katherine was 20 years old, pretty, and unattached. Nelson was immediately smitten and made no attempt to hide it. During the spring and summer of 1881, he found ways to be near Katherine and to spend time with her. There is reference to an injured kitten Nelson and Katherine nursed back to health. Some say that Katherine wasn’t particularly attracted to Nelson but encouraged and continued the flirtation to keep her job, while others say they fell in love. But, whatever the case, it’s clear that it simply wasn’t proper for a well-bred man about town to consort with a lowly maid, no matter how charming she may be. Nelson’s parents did not approve of the romance and quickly made plans to put an end to it.
In the fall of 1881, Nelson’s father John announced that there was business to be attended to in Europe and Nelson needed to make plans to leave for an extended trip. Plainly, Nelson’s father wanted to separate the couple and put an end to the romance. One story says that Nelson proposed marriage to Katherine on the eve of his departure to Europe, but Katherine said she needed time to think, while other accounts say that Nelson barely had time to say good-bye. After Nelson left for Europe, one account says that Katherine had second thoughts about marriage and used the opportunity to depart for parts unknown. But a more accepted account says that immediately after Nelson’s departure, the Blochers fired Katherine with a strict admonition never to return. What is true, however, is that in the spring of 1882, when Nelson returned from his travels, Katherine was gone and nobody seemed to know where she went.
John and Elizabeth Blocher told their son that two weeks after Nelson left for Europe, Katherine had stole away in the middle of the night, leaving nothing behind but her Bible. Whatever the reason for Katherine’s departure, Nelson was heartbroken. He couldn’t believe she had left without even leaving a note. There must have been a reason, and he was determined to find her and convince her to come back. Throughout the remainder of 1882, he searched for her. And like the lovelorn for eons before him, he neglected his business and health in pursuit of love. By the fall of 1883, Nelson was tired and worn out from his search. Broken in spirit and sick with a fever, Nelson took to his bed. By early winter of 1884, he was drifting in and out of sickness and depression. Soon he became bedridden. His only solace was the Bible Katherine had left behind. Then, on January 24th, 1884, Nelson’s time in this realm was over. He died with Katherine’s Bible clutched to his breast. Nelson’s mother, Elizabeth, no doubt driven by a maternal blend of love and guilt, insisted that a suitable memorial be erected to her son. The task of designing the monument would fall to the creative hand of John Blocher. At the time of Nelson’s death, John Blocher was semi-retired. He had taken up sculpting as a hobby and would use those skills in designing the Blocher monument.
It seems that Nelson Blocher either wasn’t inclined toward marriage or was inept at the social skills necessary to secure a bride. Not only was he still a bachelor at age 34, he was living at home. Nelson made frequent buying trips to Europe to purchase leather goods for the family business and art and furniture for the family home. But, when he returned to Buffalo, he was assigned to the rather mundane day-to-day duties of attending to the Blocher business. One day, in the spring of 1881, the Blochers hired a new maid. Katherine was 20 years old, pretty, and unattached. Nelson was immediately smitten and made no attempt to hide it. During the spring and summer of 1881, he found ways to be near Katherine and to spend time with her. There is reference to an injured kitten Nelson and Katherine nursed back to health. Some say that Katherine wasn’t particularly attracted to Nelson but encouraged and continued the flirtation to keep her job, while others say they fell in love. But, whatever the case, it’s clear that it simply wasn’t proper for a well-bred man about town to consort with a lowly maid, no matter how charming she may be. Nelson’s parents did not approve of the romance and quickly made plans to put an end to it.
In the fall of 1881, Nelson’s father John announced that there was business to be attended to in Europe and Nelson needed to make plans to leave for an extended trip. Plainly, Nelson’s father wanted to separate the couple and put an end to the romance. One story says that Nelson proposed marriage to Katherine on the eve of his departure to Europe, but Katherine said she needed time to think, while other accounts say that Nelson barely had time to say good-bye. After Nelson left for Europe, one account says that Katherine had second thoughts about marriage and used the opportunity to depart for parts unknown. But a more accepted account says that immediately after Nelson’s departure, the Blochers fired Katherine with a strict admonition never to return. What is true, however, is that in the spring of 1882, when Nelson returned from his travels, Katherine was gone and nobody seemed to know where she went.
John and Elizabeth Blocher told their son that two weeks after Nelson left for Europe, Katherine had stole away in the middle of the night, leaving nothing behind but her Bible. Whatever the reason for Katherine’s departure, Nelson was heartbroken. He couldn’t believe she had left without even leaving a note. There must have been a reason, and he was determined to find her and convince her to come back. Throughout the remainder of 1882, he searched for her. And like the lovelorn for eons before him, he neglected his business and health in pursuit of love. By the fall of 1883, Nelson was tired and worn out from his search. Broken in spirit and sick with a fever, Nelson took to his bed. By early winter of 1884, he was drifting in and out of sickness and depression. Soon he became bedridden. His only solace was the Bible Katherine had left behind. Then, on January 24th, 1884, Nelson’s time in this realm was over. He died with Katherine’s Bible clutched to his breast. Nelson’s mother, Elizabeth, no doubt driven by a maternal blend of love and guilt, insisted that a suitable memorial be erected to her son. The task of designing the monument would fall to the creative hand of John Blocher. At the time of Nelson’s death, John Blocher was semi-retired. He had taken up sculpting as a hobby and would use those skills in designing the Blocher monument.
Son of John and Elizabeth Blocher.
It seems that Nelson Blocher either wasn’t inclined toward marriage or was inept at the social skills necessary to secure a bride. Not only was he still a bachelor at age 34, he was living at home. Nelson made frequent buying trips to Europe to purchase leather goods for the family business and art and furniture for the family home. But, when he returned to Buffalo, he was assigned to the rather mundane day-to-day duties of attending to the Blocher business. One day, in the spring of 1881, the Blochers hired a new maid. Katherine was 20 years old, pretty, and unattached. Nelson was immediately smitten and made no attempt to hide it. During the spring and summer of 1881, he found ways to be near Katherine and to spend time with her. There is reference to an injured kitten Nelson and Katherine nursed back to health. Some say that Katherine wasn’t particularly attracted to Nelson but encouraged and continued the flirtation to keep her job, while others say they fell in love. But, whatever the case, it’s clear that it simply wasn’t proper for a well-bred man about town to consort with a lowly maid, no matter how charming she may be. Nelson’s parents did not approve of the romance and quickly made plans to put an end to it.
In the fall of 1881, Nelson’s father John announced that there was business to be attended to in Europe and Nelson needed to make plans to leave for an extended trip. Plainly, Nelson’s father wanted to separate the couple and put an end to the romance. One story says that Nelson proposed marriage to Katherine on the eve of his departure to Europe, but Katherine said she needed time to think, while other accounts say that Nelson barely had time to say good-bye. After Nelson left for Europe, one account says that Katherine had second thoughts about marriage and used the opportunity to depart for parts unknown. But a more accepted account says that immediately after Nelson’s departure, the Blochers fired Katherine with a strict admonition never to return. What is true, however, is that in the spring of 1882, when Nelson returned from his travels, Katherine was gone and nobody seemed to know where she went.
John and Elizabeth Blocher told their son that two weeks after Nelson left for Europe, Katherine had stole away in the middle of the night, leaving nothing behind but her Bible. Whatever the reason for Katherine’s departure, Nelson was heartbroken. He couldn’t believe she had left without even leaving a note. There must have been a reason, and he was determined to find her and convince her to come back. Throughout the remainder of 1882, he searched for her. And like the lovelorn for eons before him, he neglected his business and health in pursuit of love. By the fall of 1883, Nelson was tired and worn out from his search. Broken in spirit and sick with a fever, Nelson took to his bed. By early winter of 1884, he was drifting in and out of sickness and depression. Soon he became bedridden. His only solace was the Bible Katherine had left behind. Then, on January 24th, 1884, Nelson’s time in this realm was over. He died with Katherine’s Bible clutched to his breast. Nelson’s mother, Elizabeth, no doubt driven by a maternal blend of love and guilt, insisted that a suitable memorial be erected to her son. The task of designing the monument would fall to the creative hand of John Blocher. At the time of Nelson’s death, John Blocher was semi-retired. He had taken up sculpting as a hobby and would use those skills in designing the Blocher monument.
It seems that Nelson Blocher either wasn’t inclined toward marriage or was inept at the social skills necessary to secure a bride. Not only was he still a bachelor at age 34, he was living at home. Nelson made frequent buying trips to Europe to purchase leather goods for the family business and art and furniture for the family home. But, when he returned to Buffalo, he was assigned to the rather mundane day-to-day duties of attending to the Blocher business. One day, in the spring of 1881, the Blochers hired a new maid. Katherine was 20 years old, pretty, and unattached. Nelson was immediately smitten and made no attempt to hide it. During the spring and summer of 1881, he found ways to be near Katherine and to spend time with her. There is reference to an injured kitten Nelson and Katherine nursed back to health. Some say that Katherine wasn’t particularly attracted to Nelson but encouraged and continued the flirtation to keep her job, while others say they fell in love. But, whatever the case, it’s clear that it simply wasn’t proper for a well-bred man about town to consort with a lowly maid, no matter how charming she may be. Nelson’s parents did not approve of the romance and quickly made plans to put an end to it.
In the fall of 1881, Nelson’s father John announced that there was business to be attended to in Europe and Nelson needed to make plans to leave for an extended trip. Plainly, Nelson’s father wanted to separate the couple and put an end to the romance. One story says that Nelson proposed marriage to Katherine on the eve of his departure to Europe, but Katherine said she needed time to think, while other accounts say that Nelson barely had time to say good-bye. After Nelson left for Europe, one account says that Katherine had second thoughts about marriage and used the opportunity to depart for parts unknown. But a more accepted account says that immediately after Nelson’s departure, the Blochers fired Katherine with a strict admonition never to return. What is true, however, is that in the spring of 1882, when Nelson returned from his travels, Katherine was gone and nobody seemed to know where she went.
John and Elizabeth Blocher told their son that two weeks after Nelson left for Europe, Katherine had stole away in the middle of the night, leaving nothing behind but her Bible. Whatever the reason for Katherine’s departure, Nelson was heartbroken. He couldn’t believe she had left without even leaving a note. There must have been a reason, and he was determined to find her and convince her to come back. Throughout the remainder of 1882, he searched for her. And like the lovelorn for eons before him, he neglected his business and health in pursuit of love. By the fall of 1883, Nelson was tired and worn out from his search. Broken in spirit and sick with a fever, Nelson took to his bed. By early winter of 1884, he was drifting in and out of sickness and depression. Soon he became bedridden. His only solace was the Bible Katherine had left behind. Then, on January 24th, 1884, Nelson’s time in this realm was over. He died with Katherine’s Bible clutched to his breast. Nelson’s mother, Elizabeth, no doubt driven by a maternal blend of love and guilt, insisted that a suitable memorial be erected to her son. The task of designing the monument would fall to the creative hand of John Blocher. At the time of Nelson’s death, John Blocher was semi-retired. He had taken up sculpting as a hobby and would use those skills in designing the Blocher monument.
