BLOCKLINGER, Gottfried

BLOCKLINGER, Gottfried. (Dubuque, IA, Oct. 23, 1847--Dubuque, IA, Apr. 18, 1930).

Naval Career:

Acting Midshipman, 22 July 1863

Appointed. from Iowa., and graduated. United States Naval Academy., 2 June 1868

Promoted to Ensign, April 19, 1869

Promoted to Master, July 12, 1870

Promoted to Lieutenant, April 2, 1874

Promoted to Lieutenant-Commander, May 21, 1895

Promoted to Commander, March, 3, 1899

Promoted to Captain, June 1, 1904

Promoted to Rear-admiral, October 30, 1908

Member Naval Examining and Retiring Boards, 1906-1909

Commands held:

USS Concord USS Alert USS Illinois

Blocklinger's achievements include in 1879 as a Lieutenant, commanding the survey of the Madeira River in the Amazon jungle. He was a lieutenant on board the USS Baltimore during the Baltimore Crisis of 1891. In 1896 as executive officer of the flagship of the Pacific squadron, he spent much of his time in Chinese waters. During this time his general health deteriorated due to malaria he had contracted previously. Placed on furlough, he recuperated in Dubuque before being called to Washington, D.C. in 1897 for a medical examination. (1) Blocklinger passed the examination and was the Executive Officer, on board the USS Charleston during the capture of Guam to the United States during the Spanish American War in 1898.

Blocklinger cruised the world many times and was captain of the "Illinois" when his ship in the Asiatic fleet won the famous Prince Louis Battenburg Cup for the first time.

Returning to Dubuque, Blocklinger became a local leader of the DUBUQUE BOYS' CLUB. In 1928 he donated part of his property along Braodway for the use of the boys to construct a large garden. (2)

Family marker in Linwood Cemetery

Headstone in Linwood Cemetery

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Source:

1. "To Washington," Dubuque Herald, February 14, 1897, p. 4

2. "Boys' Club Starts Garden Effort," Telegraph-Herald, May 10, 1928, p. 5

Linwood Legacies Self-Guided Tour. Online: http://www.linwoodcemetery.us/about/history/