VON BLON, John

VON BLON, John Litchfield (1870-1957)[SS#569-07-0756] Ohio-born adventurer and author of a dozen articles in Scientific American between 1902 and 1927. In the 1910 U.S. census he lived in Los Angeles with his wife, Katherine Thompson Von Blon (1881-1967)[SS#546-80-6664], a native Californian, ten years younger than he. They married on August 12, 1907.

Von Blon resting after a hike on SNI

Von Blon at tent on SNI

Ten years later, in the 1920 census, Von Blon is listed as a publicity writer, married, and a lodger. His wife, Katherine, is not listed.

By 1930, Von Blon is 59, married to California-born Henrietta Boeckmann (b. 1891), 38, and has two children:

• Marie Adele Von Blon (1926- )
• John Philip Von Blon (1929-1950)

John Von Blon was assistant city editor of the Los Angeles Herald just after the turn of the century, and city editor for the Los Angeles Times for 17 years. Von Blon was a member of a 1907 expedition in search of Nicoleño artifacts at San Nicolas Island, and he called it "one of the world's loneliest islands" and "a rocky waste in a turbulent sea."

John Von Blon died in Santa Barbara, California on July 28, 1957 at age 86. He outlived his namesake son by 7 years.

» Von Blon, John L. Sea Elephants Preserved for Posterity in Scientific American 136(6) June 1, 1927

» Von Blon, John L. A Boat on Wheels in Scientific American, April 19, 1902 [1]

» Photo Diary of John Von Blon: San Nicolas Island 1907 84 images

In the News~

August 4, 1909 [LAT/SCat]: “The schooner Edith of San Clemente Island, with several members of the Out West Club, Mr. and Mrs. John von Blon, Mrs. Jennie Thompson, Arthur Dodge, Robert Yost, Jr., and others aboard, anchored in Avalon Bay for a few hours yesterday. The party left for San Clemente for two weeks’ camping and fishing.”

July 30, 1957 [SBNP]: “Final rites for John Litchfield Von Blon, 86, of 1255 Dover Ln., one time city editor of the Los Angeles Times, were held today at Welch and Ryce Chapel, Committal was in Santa Barbara Cemetery. Mr. Von Blon died Sunday night at his home. He was born Jan. 27, 1871, at Tiffin, O., where he graduated from Heidelberg College. He was city editor of the Los Angeles Times for 17 years, beginning in 1898. From 1933-1943 he was publicity director for the Auto Club of Southern California. He had lived here for four years. Mr. Von Blon was a member of the Los Angeles Athletic Club ad an honorary member of the Uplifters Club at Los Angeles. Survivors include his wife, Henriette C. Von Blon of Santa Barbara. A son, Philip, was killed in an auto accident seven years ago while in military service.”