In gathering together the facts which constitute the history of the pioneer settlers who faced the wilderness of Iowa and proclaimed their rights to the soil as American citizens, there is none more worthy of special mention than the venerable gentleman whose name heads this sketch.
Mr. Blackman was born in Seneca County, New York, in 1815, and his parents were Eboneezer and Mary (Smith) Blackman. He was reared on a farm and his parents being poor, he hired out by the month, attending a common school only a few months during the winter. His father being something of a mechanic, young Stephen learned a trade and very materially aided his father in supporting the family. In 1837 he decided to come west. He walked from his home in Seneca County, New York, to Buffalo, where he took passage on a steamer for Detroit, Michigan, and with his worldly effects in a gripsack, set out on foot for the Hawkeye territory.
After arriving here he began the work at his trade, and followed that occupation until 1849, when the gold fever was at its height. With G.H. Donaldson and Alex Work he then joined the exodus from Iowa to the gold fields of California. Arrive there he did not prospect for mineral, but bought a ranch near Sacramento. The following year his father-in-law died and he sold out his interests there and returned to Iowa, where he bought a quarter section of land in Pleasant Valley township and began farming.
He was married in 1840 to Miss Martha E. Work, to whom seven children were born, three of whom are dead. Those living are: John W., Stephen C., Julia A., Benjamin F.B. Mr. Blackman has held many school and Township offices. In religious belief he is a Universalist, and his first vote for President was for Zachary Taylor. He is a man well preserved for one of his age and seems destined to see the dawn of the twentieth century. He has been a student of nature and what he learned was by actual experience and dealings with his fellow-men. He is courteous and always jovial, and is held in high esteem by all his neighbors.
BIOGRAPHIES