John Blume was born to John William and Margreta (Adenwald) Blume in Minnesota. He attended school at New Prague, Minnesota. At twenty-one years of age, he worked for the railroad as an apprentice telegraph operator at Belle Plaine and then at Roberts, Wisconsin, Stillwater and Lake Elmo, Minnesota. He attended Business College in St. Paul, and in 1911 came to Valley City to work for the Russell-Miller Milling Company.

In 1920, in partnership with John Romsland, he purchased a bakery. He later attended a Bakery School in Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis, and in 1921 started his own bakery.

John Blume married Mabel Shelver on June 14, 1916 at Dazey, North Dakota. Mabel was born near Horace, North Dakota to Thorwald and Anna D. Shelver. Mabel attended the Valley City Normal School for two years and taught for two years at Dazey before her marriage to John Blume.

Two sons were born to this union, Howard and Warren. Howard is presently office manager for Miller Motors in Valley City, and Warren is employed by the Valley City Grocery.

John Blume retired from the bakery after forty years and Mabel, who also worked at the bakery, retired after thirty-three years. John has part-time jobs but spends his time with his beautiful garden. The Blumes celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in 1966. Mabel has been active in the Methodist Church; in the Sunday School and Ladies Aid, also in the Community Club, Home Economics Club and the Pioneer Daughters.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 32