Among early settlers coming to Barber County were Reinhard V. Bloom and wife Anna M.
  and their family of five, arriving here in the spring of 1882. They had previously spent 
  five years in Sumner County at South Haven. They soon became owners of 160 acres of land
  under the Osage Trust Lands Act and were granted a Patent signed by President Benjamin
  Harrison. This land, five miles west of Medicine Lodge, still remains in the family
  ownership.
     John Bloom, the younger son became the farmer, producing cattle, feed crop, and corn.
  One of the earliest projects was to set out a large fruit orchard, which thrived on the
  new land and provided large amounts of fruit, which was processed by drying and canning.
     John, a boy of sixteen, and Bob Doles a neighbor boy, on hearing of the Bank robbery
  rode across the hills and joined the party soon after the robbers had been captured, and
  followed them into town, stayed until nightfall, and witnessed the hanging.
     John and the Lonker family including Nellie J. Lonker made the 'Strip' run in 1893.
  Nellie was fortunate in staking and proving up her claim, which she later sold and 
  purchased 160 acres adjoining the Bloom land. She also was a pioneer school teacher.
     John Bloom and Nellie Jane Lonker were married on July 3rd, 1897, and to them were
  born Opal M. Bloom (Parr), Glenn L. Bloom, and Louise Bloom (Vanderwork). These three
  grew up on the farm, attended Doles rural school and Medicine Lodge High School, which
  at that time was Barber County High School. Glenn and Opal commuted to school by means of
  horse and buggy the four years in High School.
     Opal and Thomas J. (Mike) Parr were married in 1922 and spent nearly all their married
  life on their farm adjoining the Bloom Farm. Their children are Harold of Sterling, Co.,
  and Mrs. Peggy Zimmerman of Medicine Lodge.
     Louise (now deceased) and Glenn Vanderwork were married in 1937 and lived and operated 
  the Bloom farm for many years, later moving to Medicine Lodge.
     Glenn and louise Wadsworth were married in 1932. Their family consists of Dean W. of
  Larned, John C. of Overland Park, Betty Buell of Medicine Lodge, and Marie Hanson of Pratt.
     In 1936 Glenn left the home farm and purchased the ranch 3 miles south of Medicine
  Lodge, where they now reside. The Blooms have at all times tilled the soil and have
  produced livestock. John Bloom was an early day breeder of horses and mules and is credited
  with bringing the first Registered Percheron horses to Barber County.
     As a young man, Glenn produced Purebred Duroc hogs and registered Hereford Cattle and
  for many years sold breeding stock and exhibited his stock at the County Fair, the State
  Fair, also the old Kansas National Show at Wichita where he was able to win his share of
  award ribbons.
     Barber County has always been recognized as a diversified farming and livestock producing
  area due to its balance of grassland and farmland. Those of us who have spent a lifetime
  here are grateful to our forefathers who settled in Barber County.
     
               
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 108 
     Submitted by: Glenn Bloom