History of Blackmore (Blackmore Corners), Ringgold County

DRAKE, HINDS, BLACKMORE, LEVI, MCCLARY, WADDEL, BRADFORD, MILLER

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 6/23/2009 at 21:22:19

BLACKMORE

Monroe Township, Ringgold County, Iowa

James Andrew DRAKE arrived in Ringgold County in 1855 where he purchased land in Section 7 of Monroe Township. James returned to Pennsylvania, marrying Mary Ellen "Mollie" HINDS on Christmas Day of 1855. In 1856, James returned to Ringgold County with his bride and purchased additional land in Section 7 of Monroe Township.

The neighbors helped James and Mollie construct a two-room log cabin and a shelter for their livestock. One of the log cabin rooms became the first store in the area. James frequently made trips to Ottumwa, purchasing goods for his store. Located on the Dragoon Trace, an early trail through Ringgold County, James' store attracted business from strangers passing by, locals living in the area, and Indians.

Several years later, James, Mollie, and their three sons moved to their new farmstead located two miles west of the store. Alexander BLACKMORE (1839-1897) purchased the DRAKE store, hence the name BLACKMORE Corner - or BLACKMORE.

Dutch LEVI built a house and a store across the road east of the Blackmore/Drake store. This site would become the permanent location of the Blackmore store.

LEVI sold the store to Mr. McCLARY, and soon afterward the building was destroyed by a fire. Mr. WADDEL, who had moved a schoolhouse to the location, bought out Mr. McCLARY's business and started up another store on the site. BLACKMORE bought out Mr. WADDELL but later sold it to George BRADFORD, who in turn sold the store to J. O. MILLER in 1886. Locals believe that the store ultimately closed in 1895.

Blackmore had a post office in operation from 1880 to 1895.

The Oliver Cemetery in south central Section 8 was the nearest cemetery. The closest church was High Point Methodist Episcopal Church, located in the southeast corner of Section 12, Liberty Township, one mile west of Blackmore.

NOTE: James Andrew DRAKE was born February 22, 1832, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, and died May 24, 1868. Mary Ellen "Mollie" (HINDS) DRAKE was born in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, on June 23, 1838, and died in Ringgold County, Iowa on November 28, 1921. James and Mollie were interred at Johnston Cemetery near Kellerton, Ringgold County, Iowa. James and Mollie's known children were:

1) John Postlethwaite DRAKE, 1856-1935
2) Thomas Andrew DRAKE, 1858-1945
3) Willis Edmond DRAKE, 1864-1955
4) Minnie Montana DRAKE, 1866-1878

SOURCES:
Mount Ayr Record-News, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa. September 15, 2005.

AVITT, Mike. Pages and Pictures from the Past . . . Ringgold County, Iowa: 1885-2005 p. 46. Paragon Publications, Inc. Mount Ayr, Iowa. 2009.

WPA Graves Survey

Compilation and note by Sharon R. Becker, June of 2009