Col. Harrison Blackledge 1840-1911

BLACKLEDGE, NICHOLS, BROWN

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 6/9/2004 at 06:17:26

Col. Harrison Blackledge.

The people of Keosauqua were surprised and pained Tuesday morning by the sad news of the sudden death of Harrison Blackledge, Esq., which occurred about 6:30 a.m., on the day named.

Col. Blackledge went to bed Monday night as well as usual, although he had not been well for two or three years past, being a sufferer from heart trouble. Two weeks ago he was confined to his home with illness several days. About 5 o’clock Tuesday morning he awoke and asked Mrs. Blackledge to get him his heart medicine. After taking it he talked some, appearing to be comfortable. In the meantime Mrs. Blackledge fell asleep again. When she awoke, between 6 and 6:30 o’clock, the Colonel was dead. He had turned from his back to his left side and apparently passed peacefully and painlessly away.

Twelve days before Col. Blackledge as president of the Van Buren County Pioneers’ association, presided at their annual reunion here and was in good voice and apparently in good health.

Col. Blackledge was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, April 8, 1840 being at the time of his death past 71 years old. He came to Iowa and Van Buren county with his parent in April 1845, he having been a continuous resident of this county more than 66 years. The family located near Mt. Sterling, the father dying two or three years after their arrival.

Young Blackedge grew up in the county, following the occupation of a farmer to which while yet a young man he added the profession of auctioneer. As a farmer he was successful, acquiring a large farm of his own, but later met with reverses in the cattle business. As an auctioneer he was the best and most widely known of any in this part of the state. At the age of 30 years, when the writer first became acquainted with him, he was one of the county supervisors and we believe he had served a term or two before that. He was the youngest member of the board for several years. He was afterwards a candidate for sheriff but was defeated.

About 25 years ago he moved to Keosauqua where for the past several years he had been successfully engaged in the real estate business under the firm name of Blackledge and Blackledge, and had more than retrieved the business reverses of former years.

Col. Blackledge was one of the most public spirited citizens of our town and a man of perfect integrity. He was a broad-gauged, great-hearted of a cheerful, kindly, optimistic disposition and generous impulses, and never forgot the hospitable ways of the pioneer. The stranger never failed to find food and shelter if he sought it at his hands. He was at home at the bedside of the sick and delighted in kind and neighborly offices. He had borne adversity bravely and enjoyed prosperity quietly. He had filled the various relations of life as son, husband, father, brother, friend and filled them well. Who can do more?

Col. Blackledge was twice married: first to Miss Anna Eliza Nichols of Clark county, Mo., who died in 1899, and the second time to Mrs. Cordelia Brown of La Crew, Lee county, who survives him, with his son H.E. Blackledge who was his partner in business. The funeral was held at 2 o’clock Thursday at the M.E. church and the burial at the Purdom cemetery. – State Line Democrat.

[handwritten across article is “8-1911”]

Source: Entler Scrapbooks, vol. 5, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA