Johiel Blethen was the son of Increase and Irena Blethen, and lived with them in Madrid in 1850. In 1860 he lived in Madrid with his wife, Lovinia, and their two sons. He enlisted at 30 from Madrid as a Corporal in Company G, 17th Maine Infantry, on August 18, 1862. He was wounded November 27, 1863, at Orange Grove, VA, and deserted May 1, 1864.