Tazewell County, IL Genealogy Trails
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Sol Bloom was born in Pekin, Illinois on March 9,
1870, the son of Garrison and Sara Bloom, poor Polish Jewish
immigrants, and he moved with his family to Peoria when he was five. His father
reportedly could hardly earn enough to feed and clothe his family. Young Sol had
almost no formal education, although his mother, who was something of a Hebrew
scholar, taught him as much as she could. He sold newspapers on the streets of
Peoria, and when his family moved to San Francisco he
found a job in a brush factory there. He was only eight years old.
He was an United States Representative from New York, businessman; during the first
half of his career was bookkeeper, theatrical producer, and was engaged also in
the real estate and construction business; first elected, as a Democrat, to the
United States House of Representatives from New York in 1923, re-elected
continually since then; known as a liberal, supported most New Deal legislation;
served as chairman (1940-7, 1949) of the House Foreign Affairs Committee,
helping to put through such Administration measures as revision of the
neutrality act, Selective Service, Lend Lease, etc.; He is almost as well known
as an art collector as he is as an authority on American history
(George Washington). His wife died not long ago. His daughter, Vera,
lives with him in Washington, and they lead a quiet but enjoyable
social life. He Died Mar. 7, 1949 |
| Birthplace of Sol Bloom, at 333 Ann Eliza St.,
Pekin, IL, picture of Mr. Bloom at the top. Ann Eliza St. is the only street of that name in the world and honors the memory of the wife of Townsite, Pekin's first name. |
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