Yolo-Sacramento County CA Archives Biographies.....Blanchard, Melvin White 1836 - 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 23, 2006, 9:27 pm

Author: Tom Gregory (1913)

MELVIN WHITE BLANCHARD

    Backed by a life experience of more than usual interest, Mr. Blanchard
enjoys in his closing years not only precious memories which serve to fill many
a quiet hour, but also the contemplation of many important changes which have
taken place recently and which point to a wonderful future for the west. For the
past fifty-two years he has lived and labored with other pioneers of the
Woodland section, and it is a source of the utmost joy to him to be able to
realize many of the hopes which he has cherished so long.

    Born July 14, 1836, in Saratoga county, N. Y., Mr. Blanchard is the only
living son of Martin and Matine (Shaw) Blanchard, both of whom were born in
Canada, of French parentage. They passed away in Saratoga county, N. Y. Of their
three children Melvin W. was the second oldest. Upon the completion of his
public school studies he became apprenticed to a blacksmith in Glens Falls, N.
Y., and after completing his trade he worked in different parts of that state.
At the age of twenty he enlisted in Company F, Tenth United States Infantry, and
was detailed government blacksmith in frontier service. During the succeeding
five years he participated in the life enacted on the plains amid trials and
dangers innumerable, determined, as were his associates, to place western
civilization on a firm foundation. In 1857 he was in Utah serving as a soldier.
Later he became a member of General Johnston's regiment, continuing in service
until 1860, when he was honorably discharged. In 1860 he crossed the mountains
to California horseback, locating permanently in Yolo county. After working
seven years on the ranch of Samuel H. Lettner, followed by one year on the farm
of Dr. H. P. Merritt, he purchased a quarter-section three and one-half miles
north of Davis, engaging in grain and stock raising on a large scale. A manager
of excellent ability and judgment, he successfully operated in 1897 a tract of
five thousand acres, upon which he raised grain. He has added to his place and
now owns three hundred and twenty acres, his sons owning four hundred and eighty
acres near here, they together owning eight hundred acres. For the past few
years Mr. Blanchard has profitably raised cattle, sheep and hogs, his sons,
Lewis M. and Martin H., ably assisting him in all his ventures. In connection
with his large grain culture years ago he employed two modern harvesters which
required twenty-six mule power each.

    Mr. Blanchard's marriage, April 21, 1867, which occurred in California's
capital city, united him with Miss Mary Neary, of county Mayo, Ireland, whose
parents, Martin and Catherine (Conway) Neary, also natives of that country,
never left their native home. Her father was well known both in England and
Ireland as a successful stock dealer, supplying markets in both countries with
cattle, sheep and horses. Of their family of four children, Mrs. Blanchard is
the oldest. Mary Neary came to the United States in 1862 with her aunt, Mrs.
Catherine McDonald, and in 1864 came west via Panama, settling in Yolo county,
Cal., where she has resided since. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs.
Blanchard, four grew up: Louis and Martin, who assist their father in his
extensive farming; Mary, now the wife of Adolph Luttges, of Binghampton, who
conducts a three-hundred-and-twenty acre farm in Solano county, their home
having been blessed with four children: Leta, Louis, Clarence and Gladys; and
Josephine, whose husband, Barrett J. Sanderson, is a well known Yolo county
rancher, and who has twin sons, Martin and Melvin. Martin Blanchard is an
inventor, having patented an equalizer which renders uniform the pulling power
of the horses attached thereto, and which may be used with one or any number up
to thirty-two teams. He has also invented a device for the harvester, as well as
an excavator for ditching, all of which have been patented. In addition to his
ranch Melvin W. Blanchard is the owner of valuable Sacramento property, and
although retired from the most arduous duties connected with his interests,
still maintains an active concern in his affairs. Both himself and sons vote the
Republican ticket, and are deeply interested in political developments in
general, their good citizenship having placed them among the most prominent and
highly respected men of that community. With his family, Mr. Blanchard enjoys
membership in the Davis Catholic Church, which he supports most generously.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

HISTORY OF YOLO COUNTY CALIFORNIA
WITH
Biographical Sketches
OF
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified With Its Growth
and Development From the Early Days to the Present

HISTORY BY
TOM GREGORY
AND OTHER WELL KNOWN WRITERS
ILLUSTRATED COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME

HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA [1913]


File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/yolo/bios/blanchar884nbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/cafiles/

File size: 5.4 Kb