Edward A. Blust, who has been identified with the business life of Freeport as a dry-goods merchant for more than a quarter of a century, has conducted an enterprise of this character at Nos. 94, 96, and 98 Galena Street for the past twenty-five years and is widely recognized as an enterprising and progressive representative of commercial interests. His birth occurred in Freeport, Illinois on the 1st of September, 1862, his parents being George and Maria (Heck) Blust, both of them natives of Baden, Germany. The paternal grandfather was likewise a native of that country and lived to attain an advanced age. He and his wife reared a large family of children. The maternal grandfather was a blacksmith by trade and passed away in Germany when in middle life. He served as a soldier during the war with Russia. Unto him and his wife, Mrs. Maria Anna Heck, was born a daughter, Maria, who became the mother of our subject.

George Blust, the father of Edward A. Blust, crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1850 and it was in Freeport that he married Miss Maria Heck, who had come to America in 1848. He was a tailor by trade and worked at that occupation in the employ of George Maynard and also for the Steins. His demise occurred at Freeport in 1872 when he had attained the age of forty-three years, while his wife, who survived him for three decades, was seventy-eight years old when called to her final rest in 1902. They were devoted communicants of the Catholic Church and their upright and honorable lives gained them the regard and esteem of all who knew them. Their children were four in number, as follows: George F., who has passed away; Josephine, the deceased wife of August Wieneke; Edward A., of this review; and Anna, the deceased wife of Fred Rodemeyer.

Edward A. Blust was reared in the city of his nativity and attended the parochial and public schools in pursuit of an education, while later he pursued a business course in a commercial college near Milwaukee. He first secured a position as a clerk in the dry-goods store of Donaldson & Grove and later worked in that capacity for other concerns. In 1883, feeling that his experience justified him in embarking in business on his own account, he opened a small dry-goods establishment and in the intervening years has built up an extensive and profitable trade. In 1892 he erected his present handsome store building, which is one hundred feet square and three stories high and which is also occupied by the Freeport College of Commerce and Blust’s Hall. He utilizes the services of from ten to twelve clerks in the conduct of his story and carries a large and first class stock of dry goods and ladies’ and children’s wearing apparel, for which he has a good sale.

On the 9th of November, 1887, Mr. Blust was joined in wedlock to Miss Margaret Erwin, a native of McDonough County, Illinois, and a daughter of Patrick and Margaret Erwin, who were born in Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Blust are the parents of two children, Mary Magdalene and Margaret Cecelia.

In politics Mr. Blust is independent, casting his ballot for the candidate whom he believes best qualified regardless of party affiliation. Both he and his wife belong to the Catholic Church and their lives are in harmony with its teachings. They make their home in an attractive residence at No. 349 Stephenson Street. Throughout the community in which his entire life has been passed he is widely and favorably known as a prominent business man and public-spirited citizen.

Contributed by Alice Horner History of Stephenson Co 1910 Addison L. Fulwider, A.M.
Back to History of Stephenson Co IL 1910

Edward A. Blust, Proprietor, E. A. Blust - 10 East Main Street, Freeport, Illinois

Edward A. Blust, born in Freeport, Ill., Sept. 1, 1862, son of George and Maria (Heck) Blust

George Blust, born at Fruschenbach, Baden, Germany. He emigrated to America with his wife, in 1848, and settled in Freeport, Ill. He served an apprenticeship in a tailoring establishment, in his native country, and after coming to Freeport, was employed as a tailor, by Stine Brothers, of that city. He died Feb. 24, 1871. His wife, Maria (Heck) Blust, who was born at Altenheim, Baden, Germany, died Oct. 13, 1903. Both are buried in St. Joseph Cemetery, in Freeport.

Edward A. Blust, the subject of this sketch, attended parochial schools, after which he immediately became a clerk in the Boston Store, in Freeport, Ill., where he remained several years. On Oct. 3, 1883, he established a store at 10 East Main Street, in Freeport, which he has since operated, under the name, E. A. Blust. He handles dry goods and notions and employs 3 or 4 persons. Mr. Blust erected the building in which the store is located. Mr. Blust is a director of the First National Bank, of Freeport, and served 6 years, on the original Park Commn. of Freeport. He is a member of the following: National Retail Dry Goods Assn., Illinois Retail Dry Goods Assn., K. of C., Freeport C. of C. (served as treas., eight years), Stephenson County Chapter, Citizens Hist. Assn., and Catholic Church.

On Nov. 9, 1887, Edward A. Blust married Margaret P. ERwin daughter of Patrick Erwin, of Macomb, Ill. IN early days, Patrick Erwin furnished rails for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Co., and wood for engines. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Blust; 1) Magdeline, wife of George E. Maurer. They reside in Freeport, Ill. 2) Edward, who died in infancy. 3) Margaret, wife of Robert G. Luecke. Mr. and Mrs. Luecke, who reside in Freeport, are the parents of 4 children, Margaret, Robert, Charles, and Mary.

COntributed by Karen Fyock - Taken from Citizens Historical Association - June 18, 1938

History of the Blust Building