From the "The Village of Harlem: Its People, Homes and Business – 50th
Anniversary Souvenir 1856 to 1906"
"One of the best known citizens of the village is Mr. Albert Lincoln Blessman who was born in St. Louis in 1865. In 1878 he came to Oak Park with his parents, and attended the public schools of that place. When 18 years old he started to work on the C. & N. W. R. R. as fireman where he remained for three years.
"When free mail delivery was establish at Oak Park he was one of the first four carriers appointed. He remained in this position for fifteen years. Two years ago he resigned the position which he held for so many years in the government employ. He then accepted an offer from the Gas Company of Oak Park.
"Mr. Blessman has always taken an active interest in civic affairs, and was always a strong supporter of any measures tending toward the further progress of his adopted village. He was elected member of the Board of Education in 1896 and has been clerk of the same for six years. He was elected village trustee in 1904. He is a most pleasant and agreeable gentleman, and as a public officer, he considers it his duty to be always ready and willing to act on any reasonable request of the most humble citizen. He is a member of several fraternal societies, among them being the Masonic Order, Knights of Macabees, and Fraternal Order of Eagles. He was fortunate in 1886 in securing a good wife who was Miss Clara Kuener, daughter of one of the earliest settlers of Harlem. They have six living children -- Agnes M., Alice L., Margaret H., Irene L. and Grace who live with their parents."