Downers Grove in DuPage County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Israel and Avis Blodgett
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 12, 2025
1. Israel and Avis Blodgett Marker
Israel & Avis Blodgett were against slavery and believed to have been actively involved in the Underground Railroad by using their home as a place to hide slaves. Still, they lived a typical pioneer life. They had eight children, with six living to adulthood. Several of their sons became noted Civil War Veterans and all succeeded in business or political careers. Israel and Avis remained in the 1846 House until their deaths. Israel died in 1861, the year that the Civil War began and Abraham Lincoln took the presidential office, while Avis lived until 1882. Both are buried in Downers Grove's Main Street Cemetery.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Agriculture • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.
Location. 41° 47.549′ N,
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Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Israel Blodgett House (a few steps from this marker); Underground Railroad (a few steps from this marker); Charles Blodgett (a few steps from this marker); 1892 Blodgett House (within shouting distance of this marker); 1846 Blodgett House (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to the Downers Grove Park District Museum Campus
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 12, 2025
2. Israel and Avis Blodgett Marker
The 1892 Blodgett House, built by Israel's ancestors, is on the right. The Blodgetts' land is today home to the Downers Gtove Museum.
Regarding Israel and Avis Blodgett. The log cabin home that Blodgett built on this site in 1846 is behind this historical marker; it was added to the National Underground Railroard Network to Freedom in 2023.
Also see . . .
1. Downers Grove Historical Society: Israel Porter Blodgett. (Submitted on April 21, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. Downers Grove Historical Society: Avis Dodge Blodgett.
Excerpt: "The family was saddened at the death of son Daniel in 1849 and then daughter Mary in 1856. Six of their sons reached adulthood and become valued citizens of the state. Three fought in the Civil War, one became a judge another a lawyer and one was Mayor of Waukegan, Illinois. Their youngest son Charles remained on the family land here and ran the farm when his father died in 1861. Avis lived to be 86 and died in 1882."(Submitted on April 21, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 12, 2025
3. Close-ups of Avis and Israel Blodgett from the marker
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 12, 2025
4. Downers Grove Museum campus
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 12, 2025
5. Blodgett family grave site at Main Street Cemetery
Avis and Israel Blodgett are buried at Main Street Cemetery in downtown Downers Grove, about Ό of a mile west (as the crow flies) of their home on Maple Avenue.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 204 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 21, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4. submitted on April 18, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 5. submitted on April 21, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
