Although he has never taken an active interest in politics to the extent of aspiring to public office, Mr. Reagan always votes for the candidates of the democratic party. He is a member of the Christian church and is one of the esteemed citizens and highly regarded business men of Maxwell.
THERON W. BLACKMAN.
Among the prosperous business men of Nevada, Blackman Brothers, vegetable gardeners, are recognized as leaders in their line, their business each year showing a handsome increase, and the reputation of the firm now extends over a wide territory in central Iowa. This enviable prosperity they have attained through their own exertions and the exercise of sound business principles and strictly honorable methods.
Theron W. Blackman, senior member of the firm, was born in Rochester, New York, in 1858. His father, James Blackman, was born in England and came to the United States with his parents, the grandfather being also named James. The family settled on a farm near Rochester, New York, in 1827. There the father grew to manhood and became identified with farming interests. He came to Iowa in 1864, locating in Benton county, where he remained for eight years, at the end of which time he removed to Nevada and his death occurred there in March, 1907. He gave his adherence to the republican party except during the last few years of his life, when he was identified with the cause of prohibition. He was a stanch believer in the Bible and held membership in the Methodist church. Our subject's mother, who bore the maiden name of Belinda Ann Allen, was born near Rochester, New York, in 1836. She was of German and English descent and, like her husband, was a faithful member of the Methodist church. She departed this life in February, 1907. Two children were born to them: Theron W., our subject; and Allen L., who was born in Benton county, Iowa, in 1864 and is now identified with his brother in business.
Theron W. Blackman was reared as a farmer boy and early acquired a love of nature, which has been one of the prevailing characteristics of his life. He gained his preliminary education in the country schools and later became a student in the Nevada high school, where he gained the foundation of a good education. As he advanced in years he showed evidences of possessing a practical mind and as soon as opportunity presented he purchased a tract of land just west of Nevada, where he established a truck farm, the nucleus of one hundred and ten acres which the firm now owns. The demand for the products of the farm has grown steadily and in 1898 the firm erected a greenhouse twenty-two by one hundred feet in size for the propagation of plants to be used on the farm or disposed of to patrons. A ready market is found for all the produce that