Carey E. Blanchard, Rapides Parish Louisiana
Submitted by Gaytha Thompson

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Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville,  1890

CAREY E. BLANCHARD

Carey E. Blanchard, Planter, Boyce La.

One of the prominent planters in this portion of the country is Mr. Blanchard,
who was born on the same place where he now resides, on December 14, 1846, and
is a son of Carey H. and Frances (Crain) Blanchard, the father born in
Virginia in 1805, and the mother in Louisiana in 1821.  The father received
his education in the Old Dominion, and when a young man came to Louisiana with
the mother, his father having died some time previous.  He was a colonel in
the State Militia prior to the war.  He was married four times, once after the
death of the mother of our subject, she having been his third wife.  Both he
and his third wife were members of the Episcopal Church, and both died in
Rapides Parish, the mother in 1855 and the father in 1861.

Carey E. Blanchard supplemented a common school education by a course in the
State Seminary of Learning and Military Institute near Alexandria, La.  In the
fall of 1864 he enlisted in Company G of a Texas regiment, but was never in
active service.  The regiment was disbanded on the way to Galveston.  At the
breaking out of the war the family had 800 acres under cultivation, with about
eighty slaves to work it. A cotton gin, sugarmill and saw mill, good
buildings, and about 800 bales of cotton on hand, when Bank's Army came
through burning everything.  The family was left destitute, and experienced
many hardships.  They built a small cabin, cultivated what land they could,
and thus kept from want.  In 1876 Carey E. Blanchard began farming for himself
on the home place, where he has since resided, and where he is well and
favorably known. 

He was married in 1865 to Miss Mary L Davidson, daughter of Maj. Neal and
Martha (Hunter) Davidson, the father born in Georgia in 1810, and the mother
in Louisiana in 1823.  Mr. Davidson received his education in Louisiana, and
was not only a very successful farmer but a very prominent man in both local
and State politics.  He was  tendered the nomination for State Senator, but
declined the honor, preferring a private life.  His death occurred in 1865. 
Mrs. Davidson is still living, and makes her home with our subject.  She is a
very prominent member of the Methodist Church.  Mr. and Mrs. Blanchard are
also worthy members of that church.  They are the parents of four children  
two sons and two daughters   all at home.  

Mr. Blanchard was the eldest of four brothers and the second, N.C., is now a
member of Congress from the Fourth District, having represented this district
for twelve years.  He is one of the most prominent members of the House from
the South.  The third brother, F. A., is a planter, as is also the fourth
brother, C. H.