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Vinton Eagle; 30 Apr 1862
Joseph Blackburn
April 20th 1862, at the residence of his father near Shellsburg, Iowa, Joseph Blackburn, age 23 years, 9 months, 26 days.
At his country's call Joseph left his home and friends, that he might take part in suppressing the wicked slaveholders' rebellion. He spent some months in camp, but the time had not come for him to render efficient aid to this glorious cause ere cruel disease fastened itself upon his vitals. His frail constitution proved insufficient for the privations and hardships of a soldier's life. A few letters reached his friends from himself. At length from a pen of an associate we learn that Joseph is sick, again, he is worse, and again Joseph is not expected to live. His father hastens to St. Louis to find him just alive. He had been near, very near death's door. It was thought that his quiet christian resignation was all that saved him. Soon his system rallied ; he appears to be better ; an honorable discharge is procured. At length he reached home. For a few weeks it is thought he may recover. But alas, these illusive hopes soon vanish - Joseph is dying. Friends are called for. Sympathizing neighbors gather around. He lingers some days in intense suffering, then calmly falls to sleep in Jesus, while his spirit soars away to God. His funeral was numerously attended at the M.E. Church in Shellsburg. His remains were the first to be deposited in a new cemetery in a beautiful place near the bank of the creek west of town. And here, Joseph, may all that is mortal of thee rest, until at the sound of the trump of God, it shall be proved that,.
"Corruption, earth and worms,
Hath but referred thy flesh,
When thy triumphant spirit comes,
To put it on afresh."
Margaret Jordon Blackburn
Margaret Jordon Blackburn wife of Z. Blackburn, passed peacefully away at her home in Shellsburg on Sunday at 12:15 p.m. Feb 19 1899 after an illness of less than two days, She had been an invalid for many years, but the immediate cause of her death was an acute attack of la grippe. Mrs. Blackburn was born in Muskingum county, Ohio. Sept. 29th 1815, and was aged 83 years, 4 months and 21 days. She was married to Z. Blackburn in the county of her birth May 27th 1837. With her husband she left Ohio in 1854 and came to Benton county, where she had remained since, beloved and respected by all who knew her. She lived on a farm just south of Shellsburg until 1869 when she moved with her husband and family to Shellsburg, and from that time until death has resided here.
She was converted to God in her Ohio home in 1842, she had lived a fathful trustul and devoted Christian life and it is doubtful if ther had ever been a moment in all her Christian journey when she entertained the slightest doubt of her full and complete salvation. It is indeed doubtful if there has ever lived a person in this community who entertained a more implicit faith and trust in her Redeemer than Mother Blackburn, and no one who knew her in the least intimately was ever found to doubt the purity and Christ likeness of her everyday life, in her home as in Church and in the community. Being an invalid during the last thirty years of her life her influence and ability to labor for the upbuilding of Christ's kingdom was much circumscribed and lessened, but for this she did all that was possible, and reward can certainly be none the less, for "she hath done all she could."
She had raised a large family of children to useful manhood. Three of her children had preceeded her in death namely, Joseph, who was serving his country as a soldier during the rebellion returning home to die in 1862: James Fremont, who died in infancy; and William. Those who survived their mother to revere her memory are Mrs. Salina Morton of Clarion; Emma, at home; J. Russell at Altoona, Kan; Mrs. Lucy Heath of Fredonia Kan; Mrs. Rebecca O. Smith of Ackley, Ia; and Miss Clara A. Blackburn of the Omaha schools.
The funeral services were conducted at the home last Tuesday by her pastor, Rev W. F. Spry, the text being Psalms 27:4 - Shellsburg Call.
{Submitter comment:
Spouse: Zachariah Blackburn (1814 - 1904)
Clipping by Martha Long
Find A Grave Memorial# 36214799 }
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