Dr. Robert Blum, a dentist was born July 23, 1842, in Southeastern Russia, and is a son of A. and Julia (Schultz) Blum, both natives of Russia; he born in 1812, and she in 1818. The parents came to this country, with their family, in 1844, and first settled in Galveston, Texas, where the father dealt in furs for a number of years. At present he is a merchant in Tarpen Springs, Fla., and since his advent in this country he has made and lost three good fortunes.

Subject is the youngest of three living children Edward A., Amalia G. and Robert out of a family of fourteen children. The schools of New Orleans and St. Louis afforded our subject his means of education. While in the latter city, he apprenticed himself to a dentist there, and learned his profession. He afterward practiced dentistry in DuQuoin and Cairo, and in 1872 he came to Mt. Vernon, where he has followed his profession since.

He was married, June 4, 1867, in DuQuoin, to Miss Alice Spotts, born February 8, 1844 in Greene County, Ill, and a daughter of Samuel Spotts, born May 7, 1812, in Delaware, an architect and builder by profession. He died July 31, 1864. Five children have come to bless this union

1. May O., born May 5, 1868;
2. Albert and
3. Alfred, twins born September 2, 1869;
4. Robert A. born January 1, 1874 and
5. Guy E., born February 6, 1881.

Mr. Blum is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and in politics is a Democrat.

Source: History of Jefferson County Illinois
by William Henry Perrin, 1883
Submitted by Cindy Ford