In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1841
From History of Johnson County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, and its townships, cities and villages from 1836 to 1882. Together with biographical sketches .. (1883)
LEON BLOOM, a clothing merchant in Iowa City, doing business on Clinton street; was born January 3, 1841, in VVesthoffen, France. He was a soldier in the French army, by draft, and served two years as a non-commissioned officer. He bought the last five years of military duty for $500, and came to Iowa City in July, 1864. He was married Oct. 20, 1874, in Chicago, Illinois. He is a member of the firm of Hon. M. Bloom & Co., and is perfectly devoted to his business and helps to regulate and control the largest clothing house in Iowa City, and always keeps constantly in stock the finest line of goods in the market, and is gentlemanly, fair and honest in his dealings.
As printed in History of Johnson County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, and its townships, cities and villages from 1836 to 1882. Together with biographical sketches .. (1883). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1883. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.