WILLIAM C. BLACKLEDGE
William C. Blackledge, an early settler in Cass county, resides on section 16, on the farm owned by George Moore. Mr. Blackledge formerly owned the place. He settled here in March, 1867, being the first settler on this section. Deer were quite numerous here at that time. He was born September 11, 1842, in Jefferson county, Ohio, where he spent his younger days. In August, 1862, he enlisted in company A, of the Ninety-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He was wounded at the battle of Perryville, by a fragment of a shell, but resumed his place in the ranks after three weeks. He was in the battle of Chickamauga, the campaign of Atlanta, and marched with Sherman's army to the sea. He was also in the battles of Bentonville and Kennesaw Mountains, the latter engagement being one of the most important and desperate battles in which he participated. He was at that time under command of Jefferson C. Davis. He witnessed the death of Colonel Dan McCook, who was killed with a spade in the hands of a private rebel soldier, as he leaped over the enemy's works. After the war he returned to Ohio, coming here, as stated, in 1867. Mr. Blackledge has been twice married. His first wife was Martha Jane Adams, a native of Ohio, who died here in March, 1874, leaving five children...,Cora, Ord, Hermine, Theron and Harry. His present wife was Ida Parmely, a daughter of Dennis Parmely.
Transcribed by Gloria Goltiani from "History of Cass County, Iowa. Together With Sketches of its Towns, Villages and Townships, Educational, Civil, Military and Political History: Portraits of Prominent Persons, and Biographies of Old Settlers and Representative Citizens." Springfield, Ill.: Continental Historical Company, 1884, pp. 646-647.
