Bartholomew County IN Archives Biographies.....Blacketter, Henry S. 1834 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/in/infiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 21, 2007, 6:00 pm Author: B. F. Bowen (1904) HENRY S. BLACKETTER. A resident of Columbus since 1894, Henry S. Blacketter is now practically living a retired life and his rest is well merited, for through many years he was actively-connected with farming interests and lived a very busy and useful life. His persistency of purpose and unflagging industry brought to him prosperity that now enables him to-enjoy retirement from further labor, his needs being supplied by the income which he receives from his fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres. He has spent his entire life in this county, being numbered among its native citizens. His birth occurred in Columbus township, September 17, 1834, his parents being Spencer and Louisa Blacketter, both of whom were natives of Kentucky, the father born in 1809. While yet a boy he left that state and came to Bartholomew county, Indiana, to make his home with an uncle, who was engaged in farming here. Mr. Blacketter became a farmer of the locality and in later life was engaged in the milling business here. During the early years of his residence in the state he engaged in hunting to a considerable extent for deer still roamed in the forests and lesser wild game was to be had in abundance. With the aid of his trusty rifle he was enabled to provide many a meal for the family. His life was one of untiring activity and energy. He cleared a large amount of land and thus his labors were of direct benefit to the county as well as to himself. Carrying on the work of the farm, he at length developed a splendid property and annually harvested good crops as the result of the care and labor he bestowed upon the fields. Living through pioneer times, he also lived to see this county take rank with the best counties of the commonwealth and to secure all the advantages and conveniences known to the older east. Voting with the Democracy, he gave to it his earnest support, yet never sought or desired office. His religious faith was that of the Baptist church, of which he was a consistent member. In the family of Spencer and Louisa Blacketter were ten children: Sarah J., the deceased wife of L. B. Herrod, a farmer; William, who wedded Jane Dougherty and is a farmer by occupation, in Minnesota; Henry S.; Elizabeth, the wife of John Radenbaugh, who is represented elsewhere in this work; Mary A., who became the wife of James Radenbaugh, and after his death married Alpheus Radenbaugh, both of whom were farmers; John W., who married Maria Reap and is a farmer of Owen county, Indiana, and a veteran of the Civil war, having served through the long strife; Jacob, who married Belle McCaslin and is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Cass county: Sylvanus S., who married Martha Denkins and is an agriculturist in Cass county; Catherine L., the wife of John Taylor, who resides on a farm in Rock Creek township; and Peter G., deceased. Spending his boyhood days under the parental roof, Henry S. Blacketter early became familiar with farm work, for his father trained him in the labors of cultivating the fields and caring for the stock. Through the winter months he attended the public schools and throughout His entire business career he has carried on the pursuit to which he was reared. He has cleared two hundred acres of land and has successfully and extensively carried on general farming. He has also engaged in feeding stock on a large scale and has found it a profitable pursuit. He still owns one hundred acres of land in Columbus township, nearly all of which is under cultivation, and his income from his farm supplies him with all the necessities and many of the luxuries of life. In 1866 Mr. Blacketter was united in marriage to Miss Nancy A. Duncan, a daughter of Alexander and Sarah Duncan, nee Rudick. The father was a native of North Carolina and at an early period in the development of Bartholomew county he became a resident of this portion of the state. He always followed farming and owned an excellent property upon which he placed modern equipments and all the accessories and conveniences necessary to carry on his farm work along progressive lines. He was a Democrat in his political views and was actively interested in the growth of his party, although he was never an office seeker. His death occurred in April, 1900, and the community thus lost one whom it had come to look upon as a man of honor and a citizen of worth. Unto him and his wife were born eleven children: John W., deceased; Susan C., Sarah J., Nancy, Minerva A., W. C, Mary C., Amanda Victoria, Laura E., Frances E., deceased, and Marion A., in Kansas. Of this number eight have been school teachers and Laura is now one of the capable and popular school teachers of Columbus. Mr. and Mrs. Blacketter have but two children: William A., who married Nellie Dougherty, by whom he had two children, but both children are now deceased; George E., who married Dessie Leiper and is a postal clerk in Indianapolis. He was graduated in Bloomington, Indiana, and at the time of the Spanish-American war he became a member of Battery A, Twenty-seventh Indiana Light Artillery. Mr. and Mrs. Blacketter have given to their children excellent educational privileges, realizing how beneficial is mental training as a preparation for life-work. In 1894 they removed to Columbus, where they have since resided, and in the city as well as in their old neighborhood they have many warm friends, who esteem them highly for their genuine worth. They hold membership in the Baptist church and Mr. Blacketter gives his political allegiance to the Democracy. His life has been well spent and his history is one which neither seeks nor requires disguise. In all his trade transactions he has been straightforward, has been loyal in his duties of citizenship and has ever been regarded as a good friend and neighbor and a devoted husband and father. Such qualities command respect in every land and clime and are particularly commanded in this land, where family connections count for little or naught, the individual being judged by his own merit. Additional Comments: Extracted from BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY INDIANA INCLUDING BIOGRAPHIES OF THE GOVERNORS AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS OF INDIANA ILLUSTRATED 1904 B. F. Bowen PUBLISHER File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/bartholomew/bios/blackett700gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/infiles/ File size: 6.8 Kb