Biographical Sketch of John A. Blanton, Franklin County, Missouri >From "History of Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Crawford and Gasconade Counties", Biographical Appendix, Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1888. ********************************************************************** John A. Blanton, a blacksmith and wagon maker, of Sullivan, Franklin Co., Mo., was born in Monroe County, Tenn., May 1, 1830. He is the fourth of fourteen children of Joshua and Bethanie (Harmon) Blanton, and in 1842 immigrated to Missouri with his parents, who settled in Scott County and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He received a very limited schooling in his native State, and alone mastered the English language sufficiently to engage in business for himself. He was married August 10, 1851, to Sarah A., daughter of John Pratt, an old and honored citizen of Tennessee. Fifteen children were born to this union, seven sons and eight daughters, of whom two sons and two daughters are deceased. Those living are: Charles H., Alexander, Susan, Nancy, Virginia, Bethanie, John W., Phoebe and Edward (twins), Fred and Emily J. After marriage Mr. Blanton settled on a farm of ninety acres, which he worked, and followed smelting lead ore for a number of years. In 1861 he began the trade of a blacksmith, which he has since followed. When the war broke out he enlisted in the Southern army under Gen. McBride, and participated in the battle of Pea Ridge, a number of skirmishes, and was discharged in 1862. He returned to his home and resumed his trade in Sullivan, where he now owns a good shop and tools, two houses and lots, and has an enviable reputation as a first class workman. He is a stanch Democrat, and lends hearty support to his party. Mrs. Blanton is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Joe Miller Penny Harrell ====================================================================