BIO:  Rev. D. M. BLACKWELDER, Franklin Township, Adams County, PA

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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania
Chicago:  Warner, Beers & Co., 1886
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Part III, History of Adams County, Page 405

REV. D. M. BLACKWELDER, P.O. Arendtsville, was born November 28, 1830, near 
Concord, N. C., a son of Reuben and Catherine (Lipe) Blackwelder, who were 
owners of the plantation on which our subject was reared.  Both his maternal and 
paternal ancestors were natives of Lancaster County, Penn., and when quite young 
settled in Cabarrus County, N. C., prior to the Revolution.  They all reared 
large families and lived to advanced ages.  To Reuben and Catherine Blackwelder 
thirteen children were born, of whom Rev. D. M. is the second son.  Our subject 
received his classical education at Roanoke College, Virginia, and graduated in 
June, 1857.  In October of that year he entered the theological seminary, 
Gettysburg, Penn., and graduated in June, 1859.  On the 15th of September 
following, he was licensed to preach by the West Pennsylvania Synod at Hanover, 
Penn.; was called to his first pastorate at Pomaria, Newberry Co., S. C., in 
November, 1859, and was ordained at Newberry Court House October 28, 1860, by 
the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of South Carolina.  March 2, 1860, he married 
Miss Jane C., daughter of John McCleary (deceased), of Gettysburg, Penn.  The 
bride accompanied her husband to her Southern home, where she was warmly greeted 
by the people as the wife of their pastor.  During the civil war, which brought 
such ruin and desolation to the South, they remained at their post, true to 
their country’s flag, on which account, persecutions and indignities were heaped 
upon them.  At the close of the war they returned to Gettysburg, and Mr. 
Blackwelder took charge at New Chester, Adams Co., Penn., December 18, 1865.  
Fifteen months later, he was called to the York Springs charge, Adams County, 
Penn., where he labored three years.  In 1870 he took charge of the Mifflingtown 
pastorate in Juniata County, Penn., where he remained six years; thence to Upper 
Strasburg, Franklin Co., Penn., where he remained fifteen months.  He took his 
present charge June 15, 1877.  Eight children were born to Rev. Mr. Blackwelder 
and wife:  The eldest, Edwin E., was born and died in South Carolina; Willie A. 
died at York Springs; the living are Carrie L., Ernest T., Maggie M., Charles 
G., Annie M., and Luther D.  Carrie L. is a graduate of Hagerstown Female 
Seminary, Maryland; Maggie M., will also graduate there; and the eldest two sons 
are now students of Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg.  Rev. Mr. Blackwelder ---- 
attained a position of usefulness in his profession; his labors have been 
greatly blessed in the conversion of souls and the glory of God.