Biography of J. H. Blackburn - Conway Co, AR

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Submitted by: Cathy Barnes <bbarnes@cswnet.com>
        Date: 21 Jun 1998
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
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SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Western Arkansas.
Goodspeed Publishers, 1891.

page 48

J. H. Blackburn, one of the leading planters, and a popular resident of
Washington Township, Conway County, owes his nativity to the State of Alabama,
where he was born November 24, 1845. He was the son of James R. and Sarah (Gray)
Blackburn, who were natives respectively of South and North Carolina. To this
worthy couple were born eight other children, all of whom are living but two.
Mr. James Blackburn is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Russellville Lodge,
Alabama. Mrs. Blackburn was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and
departed this life in 1859 Our subjected received but limited educational
advantages in Alabama, and at his majority began life as a farmer for himself,
with a very limited start in the way of stock; with but a single cow and calf
and a three-year old colt. On February 4. 1856, he married Caroline J. Speers, a
native of Alabama also, and to their union have been born eight children-Sarah
F., who married Will Carborn, Nancy J., wife of Thomas Byard, James R., William
W., David J., Mary C., deceased, Simeon, deceased, and Dora E. Mr. Blackburn
still follows the occupation of planter, and since he took up his residence in
Arkansas has become one of the leading citizens of Washington Township in this
county, where he owns 120 acres of good land with 65 under a high state of
cultivation. Socially, Mr. Blackburn is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and
religiously the family are members of the Christ Delphian Church. Mr. Blackburn
enlisted as a private in the Confederate army in 1863, under Gen. Rody. In June
of 1864 he was taken prisoner, and confined at Rock Island military prison, till
March 1865, when he was exchanged and returned home, and at once re-engaged in
the occupation of farming. Mr. Blackburn's ancestors are of Irish and Welsh
origin, a mixture of blood which insures strength of purpose and energy. The
family are members of the Christ Delphian Church, and Mr. Blackburn is one of
the liberal spirited men of Washington Township.