JAMES E. BLANCHARD.

Pg 267

         One of the pioneer agriculturists of Louisa county is James E. Blanchard, who was born in Oswego county, New York, on the 13th of July, 1831. He is a son of Timothy and Mary (Holmes) Blanchard, also natives of the Empire state from which they migrated to Edgar county, Illinois. They were the parents of nine children: Lesha and Holmes, both deceased; James E., our subject; Jacob, also deceased; Esther, deceased; Elizabeth, the wife of George Bolton, a resident of Louisa county; Caroline, the wife of Mayland Starks, of Missouri; Calvin, deceased; and Timothy, also a resident of Missouri.

         James E. Blanchard was reared and educated in Illinois, remaining at home until he was twenty-four years of age, at which time he migrated to Iowa. During the first eight years of his residence in the Hawkeye state he worked as a farm hand. At the expiration of that time, however, he purchased forty . . .

Pg 268

. . . acres of land, upon which he erected a log house. He subsequently erected a two-story frame dwelling and barns and outbuildings upon his farm in the cultivation of which he met with success. As the years passed Mr. Blanchard extended the boundaries of his homestead until his holdings aggregated three hundred acres. In addition to his Iowa property he also owns three hundred and eleven acres of land near Raymond, Colorado.

         On the 20th of October, 1856, Mr. Blanchard was united in marriage to Miss Tamson Welch, who passed away on the 19th of May, 1901. Four children were born of this union: Alfa, who is deceased; Ida, the wife of John Morris, of Davis county, Iowa; Charles, who is associate editor of the Christian Union of Des Moines; and Leota, the wife of Charles Stone. Mr. and Mrs. Stone, who are living on Mr. Blanchard’s farm, have four children: Jessie, the wife of Ed Blaise, of Marion county, Iowa; Howard, who is at home; Ralph, who is deceased; and Arthur, who is also at home.

         His political allegiance Mr. Blanchard has always accorded the democratic party, and he has served as supervisor and school director. His religious affiliation is with the Christian church. Mr. Blanchard has been a resident of this county for more than fifty-six years, during which time he has made many friends, whose high regard he has won because of the fine personal qualities he possesses.