Blanchard, William A. (1853-1925)

BLANCHARD

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/15/2019 at 18:32:44

William A. Blanchard
Aug 17, 1853 - Dec 15, 1925

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.451)
W. A BLANCHARD. In the history of Pottawattamie County mention should be made of the above named gentleman, a brief outline of whose life is as follows:

Mr. BLANCHARD was born in Stark County, Illinois, August 17, 1853. His father, A. G. BLANCHARD, was born in the pinewoods of Maine, a descendant of an old family of that State who were noted for their honesty and industry. His mother, nee Mary BAGGLEY, was born in Ohio, her parents having emigrated to that State from the East. Mr. and Mrs. BLANCHARD were married in Toulon, Stark County, Illinois, both the BLANCHARDS and BAGGLEYS being early settlers of that county. To them were born five children: W. A.; M. L., who lives near Storm Lake, Iowa; Sarah A. MARMAN, a resident of Colorado; Mary F. CADE, who lives in Stark County, Illinois; and Angeline SMITH, of Colorado. Mr. BLANCHARD's mother died when he was fourteen years old. His father is now a resident of Normal, Oklahoma. In early life, while residing in the East, he was a ship carpenter, but after coming West he gave his attention to agricultural pursuits. He is now sixty years of age.

W. A. BLANCHARD was reared on a farm and was educated in the public schools of Stark County. Arriving at the age of manhood, he was married, February 6, 1879, to Miss Anna McRAE, who was born in Rosshire, Scotland, in 1819, son of Alexander and Ann McRAE, both natives of the same place. He grew up on a farm and when he reached adult years married Jennette McRAE, daughter of Duncan and Christena McRAE, all natives of Scotland. Kenneth McRAE and his family came to America in 1867 and settled in Stark County, Illinois. From there they subsequently came to Pottawattamie County, Iowa. Mr. McRAE is one of the honored and esteemed citizens of Wright Township. He is a Democrat and a Presbyterian. Their other daughter, Sabella SAXTON, is a resident of Monona County, Iowa.

In 1883 Mr. BLANCHARD came to Pottawattamie County and located in Waveland Township, buying 133 acres of well improved land on section 6. He has a good frame house, an orchard of two acres, a grove, stables, and other farm buildings and improvements. Mr. and Mrs. BLANCHARD have five children: W. K., Jennette, Charlotte, Alexander D. and Glenn. Their first born, Mary, is deceased. Like his father, Mr. BLANCHARD is a Republican. He is honest and upright in all things, and is trusted and respected most by those who know him.