Biography of Clement C. Blackwell, 1902, Grant Co., Oregon
Surnames: Blackwell, Morris, Hudson, Parkerson, Cobb, Branson, Dustin, Shield,
Turk

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An Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties, pub. 1902
by Western Historical Pub. Co.
of Chicago. page 456

CLEMENT C. BLACKWELL

To Joseph and Mary Blackwell, on April 6, 1826, was born Clement C., on Wolf
creek, near Centerville, Tennessee, where he was educated in the common
schools and worked on a farm with his parents until 1850, when he went to
Franklin county, Arkansas; four years later he went to Tarrant county, Texas,
and two years following that he removed to Newton county, Arkansas, where he
remained until the fifth day of April, 1875, when he started across the plains
with teams. The journey was consummated without accident or exceptional
incident and their first winter in Oregon was spent in Fox valley, there being
but one other family there at that time. He rented a farm near John Day and in
the fall of 1877 entered a homestead, on his present ranch three miles east
from Longcreek. He bought four hundred and eighty acres more, which he sold
subsequently. He set himself to improving his property and raising stock,
cattle, sheep and horses. During the Indian trouble of 1878 he lost all of his
horses but one, the Indians succeeding in capturing them. His labors continued
unremittingly here until 1899, when on account of ill health he sold his stock
and retired from more active life. His home place is well improved, being well
tilled and having a comfortable house, large barn, and a fine orchard. During
the Civil war he offered himself for service in the Union army, but was
rejected on account of rheumatism. Later he offered again, and while his case
was pending the war closed and so he did not succeed in gaining the
opportunity for fighting for the flag he loved.

On September 6, 1846, he was married to Jane W., a native of Tennessee, and a
daughter of Samuel and Mahala Morris, near Beardstown, Perry county,
Tennessee. The following children have been born to them: Jesse A., married to
Matilda Hudson, and living in Newton county, Arkansas; James Madison and
Thomas Jefferson, twins, deceased; Jeremiah W., married to Mary Parkerson and
living in Sparta, Baker county; Samuel B., married to Clara Ethel, living near
Glens Ferry, Idaho; Richard S., married to Maggie Cobb, living near Hamilton,
Grant county; Nancy E., wife of Samuel F. Branson, near Longcreek; Bernice P.,
wife of William M. Carter, near Longcreek; Joseph R., married to Sarah, and
living at Sumpter; Henry Y., a cattle buyer, of Burns; Mary M., wife of B. O.
Dustin, of Sparta, Baker county; Clement W., married to Fannie Shield, living
near Walla Walla; James, wife of James Criswell, near Longcreek; John L.,
living at home; Leona E., wife of Edward Turk, of Sumpter, but now deceased.
It is of note that from the time Mr. and Mrs. Blackwell lost their twins until
the death of their daughter Leona fifty years had elapsed without a death in
the family. It is also interesting to know that the children, grandchildren
and great-grandchildren of this worthy and venerable couple now number over
one hundred that are living. Mr. Blackwell has been strong and rugged until
recently, and Mrs. Blackwell is hale and hearty and active in the duties of
the household. They have seen the hardships and deprivations of the pioneers
in a number of places and they have reared a family in this community wherein
principles of uprightness have been exemplified and their children are all
respected members of society. For forty years Mr. Blackwell has been a member
of the Masons. He has been a disciple of Nimrod and was very fond of the chase
in days of more vigor, claiming many triumphs in large game, as deer, elk,
bear, etc. Mrs. Blackwell's father was reared in Maryland and her mother in
North Carolina. They moved to Tennessee, and the father died there, while the
mother went to Arkansas and remained until the time of her demise.