BLANCH, George E. - 1914

BLANCH, BOOP, RIED, MORGAN, MCMULLEN

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/9/2009 at 17:16:23

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914
by Thomas McCulla

GEORGE E. BLANCH.

Agricultural interests of Cherokee county find a progressive and worthy representative in George E. Blanch, who since 1901 has lived upon his present farm in Pitcher and Pilot townships. He was born in Stephenson, Illinois, October 5, 1875, and is a son of G. W. and Sarah E. (Boop) Blanch, the former a native of England and the latter of Pennsylvania. The father came to America when he was seventeen years of age and settled in Illinois, near Galena, where his marriage occurred. In 1881 he moved to Iowa, buying one hundred and twenty acres of land in Cherokee county and operating this until his retirement, at which time he had accumulated a half section of land. When he abandoned active life he moved to Alta and after two years to Cherokee, where he still makes his home, having survived his wife since 1901. To their union were born four children: Mary F., of Glenwood, Iowa; George E., of this review; Luella, the wife of Thomas Ried, of Duluth, Minnesota; and W. E., of Cherokee county.

George E. Blanch acquired his education in the public schools of Cherokee county and afterward took a business course at Highland Park College, Des Moines. After laying aside his books he engaged in teaching for two winters and then turned his attention to farming, an occupation which he has followed since that time. He made his first purchase of land in 1901, buying two hundred and forty acres of his present farm. This has since been increased to five hundred and sixty acres, all lying in Pitcher and Pilot townships, and the land is in a high state of cultivation, reflecting the intelligent care and labor which the owner bestows upon it. He is a stockholder of the Peoples Co-Opera tive Telephone Company and of the Farmers Elevator Company.

On March 20, 1901, Mr. Blanch was united in marriage to Miss Mabel G. Morgan, a daughter of Clarence M. and Rebecca J. (McMullen) Morgan, residents of Aurelia. In their family were eight children, six of whom are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Blanch have four children: Sarah Estella, who was born January 5, 1902; Lawrence G., whose birth occurred October 21, 1904; Lester M., born April 26, 1906; and Grace Luella, born August 29, 1908.

Mr. Blanch is a member of the Masonic lodge and is a progressive republican in his political beliefs. For two terms he held the office of township trustee and he was for twelve years secretary of the school board proving a capable, earnest and conscientious public official. He is an industrious, publicspirited and progressive citizen and he holds the esteem and confidence of all who have business or social relations with him.

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