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1900 Whiteside Bios > William Blackmer


Source: The Biographical Record of Whiteside County, Illinois
Chicago, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1900
Reprinted by: Higginson Book Company, Salem, MA 01970

Transcribed by: Denise McLoughlin
Tampico Area Historical Society
www.tampicohistoricalsociety.citymax.com

Pages 155-157

WILLIAM BLACKMER, residing on section 5, Tampico township, is one of its most enterprising farmers adn stock raisers, and has been a resident of the ounty since 1867, since which time he has opened up a fine farm and done much for the general welfare of his township and county. He was born in Jefferson county, New York, February 10, 1847, and is the son of Hazard and Polly (Pratt) Blackmer. His mother dying when he was but a child, he was taken by Martin W. Wright and wife, of Jefferson county, New York, with whom he found a home for ten years. For that worthy couple he has always had a warm spot in his heart for the knidly interest they took in a poor orphan boy. It was with great pleasure in 1896 that in company with his wife he made a visit to the aged couple and spent a delightful time, recalling his early experience in life.

Mr. Blackmer was reared to farm life, and has been actively engaged in agricultural pursuits, with the exception of a short time spent in Prophetstown, from early childhood to the present time. His education was limited to the common schools, and the nowledge now possessed has mostly been acquired since arriving at man's estate. In his youth the war for the Union was in progress, and his blood was stirred with patriotic ardor. On the 10th  of September, 1864, when but seventeen years old, he enlisted in Company H. One Hundred and Eighty-sixth New York Volunteer Infantry, and with his regimetn joined the Army of the Potomac, his first engagement being at Hatchie's Run. Later he was in the battle of Petersburn, where he was wounded in the left side by a fragment of shell, and for two weeks following was in the field hospital. Rejoing his regiment he continued with it in active servce until the close of the war, being honorably discharged June 14, 1865.

Returning to his home in Jefferson county, New York. Mr. Blackmer remained there two years, engaged in farm labor, and then came to Whiteside county, Illinois, where he has since made his home. On his arrival he commenced work at odd jobs by the day. and the winter following he spent in chopping off a small tract of land which he had purchased the previous year. The next season he was employed by the month, after which he rented land which he cultivated until his marriage.

On the 31st July, 1870, Mr. Blackmer was united in marriage with Miss Louisa France, a native of Ohio, and daughter of Solomon and Margaret (Willtrout) France, who were also native of Ohio, where their marriage occurred. From Ohio they came to Whiteside county in 1854, settling first in Erie township, from which township they moved to. Fenton township, and still later to Tampico township, becoming one of the pioneeers of the latter township. To Mr. and Mrs. Blackmer eight children have been born, as follows: Lillie V., now the wife of Abner Bryson, a farmer of Tampico township; William, married and engaged in farming in Tampico township; Myrtle, wife of William Clark, of Prophetstown township; Nellie, wife of Charles Meltzer, of Walnut, Illinois; Charles, Clifford, Jennie and Roy, at home.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Blackmer settled on the farm where they now reside, Mr. Blackmer having purchased on hundred and eighty-six acres of raw swamp land, which he commenced to improve. He first built a small, rough board house in which the family lived while he was making further improvements on the place. Ditches had to be  dug, the land tiled and drained, and other changes made, all of which required time and means. The means for doing the work had to come off the place, but in due time the old board house gave place to a more substantial dwelling, barns and out-buildings were erected and comfort reigned. On that farm the children were born, and there he lived until 1893, when he moved with his family to Prophetstown, in order to give his children the advantages of the schools of the place. From the Prophetstown schools two of his daughters graduated with honors. In 1897 he returned to the farm and resumed the life with which he had become familiar through long years of toil.

Politically Mr. Blackmer is a stanch and life-long Republican, having cast his first presidential vote in 1868 for U. S. Grant, since which time he has never failed to vote for the nominee of the party for that high and exalted office. While taking an active interest in politics he never cared for official life, but by reason of the interest he has always had in the public schools he served for about twenty-five years on the school board, the greater part of the time serving as clerk of the board. Fraternally he is a member of Prophetstown post, G.A.R.

For thirty-two years Mr. Blackmer has been a resident of Whiteside county. On his arrival the southeastern part of the county was but little imporved, being much of it swamp land. These lands have since been well drained, and are now among the most productive in the county. He commenced life here with but very little means, but having the determination to succeed he wetnt to work, and working early and late, and with the assistance of his wife, and later by his children, as they grew to mature years, he has a valuable property, and is in a position to enjoy life. His acquaintances are many in the county, and by all he is held in high esteem.

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