Blackledge, Virgil

BLACKLEDGE, TURK, TOOL, HAYES

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/27/2009 at 09:09:49

Blackledge, Virgil

Success is only achieved by the exercise of certain distinguishing qualities and it cannot be retained without effort. Those by whom great epoch changes have been made in the political and industrial world began early in life to prepare themselves for their particular duties and responsibilities, and it was only by the most persevering and continuous endeavor that they succeeded in rising superior to the obstacles in their way and reaching the goal of their ambition. Such lives are an inspiration to others who are less courageous. Judging from the record Virgil Blackledge, of Newton, Jasper County, is making, he has carefully laid the foundation for large future success, some of which he has already achieved.

Mr. Virgil Blackledge was born in Buena Vista Township, this County, on July 16, 1875, and he is the son of Oliver J. and Ernestine (Turk) Blackledge, a well known pioneer family of this County, having lived on a farm here for forty-eight years, then moved to Oregon where he engaged in the furniture business and there he still resides. His wife was the daughter of Peter and Mary Turk. The only child born to Oliver J. Blackledge and wife, Virgil, of this review. He grew up on the home farm and assisted with the general work about the place during his boyhood and received his education in the public schools. He was married on January 18, 1898 to Bernice Tool, the daughter of John and Rebecca Tool, of this County. To this union one daughter was born, Lela Blackledge, whose birth occurred on March 17, 1900; she is now in school.

The subject was again married on September 1, 1904, to Myrtle Hayes, also born in this County, the date of her birth being May 14, 1884. She is the daughter of Andrew J. and Emeline Hayes, a well-known family of Jasper County, having lived on a farm here for a number of years. To this last union these children were born: Ernestine, September 20, 1905; Imogene, born December 21, 1906; June, born July 30, 1909; Jesse V., born August 24, 1910, and Mary, born November 30, 1911.

Virgil Blackledge took up farming for a livelihood and followed this line of endeavor with success up to 1905 in which year he moved to Newton, where he became associated with the Union Central Life Insurance Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, and he has since been engaged in this work with very gratifying results and with eminent satisfaction to his company, who regarded him as one of the most faithful and trusted employees.

Mr. Blackledge has been a member of the Methodist Church, with which he united in 1893, the Mt. Zion Church of his home neighborhood. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order, Newton Lodge No. 59, and politically, he is a Republican, but he has never been an aspirant for political honors.

Mr. Blackledge has been very successful in a business way. He has owned three good farms in this County, first the Dan Mathers farm about four miles west of Galesburg, this County; selling this, he purchased the Wilson Thompson place in Buena Vista Township. Then he sold out and bought the old James Wright place in the same Township. Upon moving to Newton he sold the farm and purchased an excellent residence property at the corner of Plum and Market streets, which he has since sold. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 1171.