But First, What Does DNA Reveal?

 While I wait for record look-ups from Osborne County, Kansas, and the Missouri State Archives that should give more insight about my 2nd Great Grandmother Estella Cordelia (Davis) Smith and the various names she went by, I thought I'd talk about what the DNA reveals about Harrison Blacketer and Martha Jane Smith.

TL;DR (Too long; Didn't read)

It seems to confirm the relationships.😅 I mean, given all the secrecy about James's out-of-wedlock birth, one might have thought he possibly had had another father, right? Below is my analysis from my Starting Point Analysis Report for Martha Jane Smith. However, parts of it are anonymized to protect privacy of living individuals. It is a little dense, but I tried to break things down as much as possible.

Autosomal DNA (atDNA)

Genetic Genealogy testing can help to identify relationships and specific ancestors who have not been added to the family tree and also confirm already-known relationships. It can also reveal clues and family trees (that need to be verified), which can provide new avenues for research. However, it cannot tell us how family lines are connected to each other, and that is why documentary research is also needed. They work hand-in-hand.

Additionally, tests for autosomal DNA (abbreviated as atDNA), like the AncestryDNA tests considered in this analysis, analyze all a person's atDNA. Therefore, it is possible to locate matches to any ancestor across many different lines in a person's family tree. This is because atDNA is randomly inherited from one's parents. (1) It is most useful for exploring a person's more recent ancestors, usually within five generations. (2)

The measurement for atDNA shared between two individuals is called a centimorgan, usually abbreviated to cM. Everyone inherits approximately 50 percent of their atDNA from each parent. That 50 percent includes about 25 percent from each grandparent, about 12.5 percent from each great-grandparent, and so on and so forth. (3) Based on those estimates, different genetic relationships will share predictable ranges of centimorgans. However, as the relationships get farther away from a parent-child relationship, the more the predicted ranges overlap. Using mathematical probabilities, hypotheses can be created that give the best possible likelihood of relationships based on groups of atDNA test results when they are compared to each other. Further, calculating statistics for each relationship and comparing it to the average for each relationship can lend more weight to the evaluation (standard deviation).

Blacketer-Smith Autosomal DNA (atDNA) Descendants

There are ten identified shared atDNA matches at AncestryDNA who descend from James Wesley Blacketer and Mary Alice Truitt. There are more who are identified, but some are from younger generations and are represented by older testers. Others have tested at 23andme, but the rest of the testers did not so detailed comparisons are not available for all testers with each other. There are also three identified adoptees who were not selected for this analysis.

There is only one identified atDNA shared match descendant of James Wesley Blacketer's sister Mildred I. (Blacketer) Black, this test-taker has since passed away, but left a public family tree attached to his AncestryDNA kit. While more descendant atDNA testers who descend from James's two siblings would be preferable, this one atDNA test-taker is rather close relationship-wise to the descendants of James Wesley Blacketer and that improves analysis. Hopefully more will test in the future! More data points are always preferable.

Thus, there are a total of eleven descendants of James's and Mildred's parents, Harrison Blacketer and Martha Jane Smith, who tested their atDNA at AncestryDNA who were selected for this analysis. Their places in the Blacketer—Smith family tree are depicted in Figure 1 below. For privacy, the documentary proof for each relationship will not be published. However, it has been documented. No one is related to each other in more than one way. This is important to note because if people are related to each other in more than one way, they would share more autosomal DNA than expected for their known or documented relationship. (4). To maintain privacy, living test-takers are anonymized except for myself. Three of the test-takers have passed away.

Figure 1: Blacketer-Smith atDNA Descendant Chart

Standard Deviation Analysis of atDNA Shared Matches

But first, here are some definitions to help understand my analysis.

Glossary:

Standard Deviation: the symbol for Standard Deviation is σ. The standard deviation is a statistical measure of data's spread from its average. A low standard deviation indicates the data is tightly clustered around the average. A high standard deviation indicates the data is spread out over a range. Basically, the tighter the data around the average, the better. (5)

cM: abbreviation of Centimorgan which is the unit of measure for autosomal DNA (atDNA). (6)

Sibs: abbreviation for Siblings; two people who share both parents.

1C: abbreviation for 1st Cousin; the child of one's aunt or uncle.

1C1R: abbreviation for a 1st Cousin Once Removed; in this analysis, the first cousin once removed is a child of one's first cousin.

2C: abbreviation for 2nd Cousin; the grandchild of one's great aunt or uncle.

2C1R: abbreviation for a 2nd Cousin Once Removed; in this analysis, a second cousin once removed is a child of one's second cousin.

Grand Aunt/Uncle/Niece/Nephew: the term "grand" is interchangeable with "great." A grand (or great) aunt or uncle is a sister or brother of one's grandparent. Likewise, a grand (or great) niece or nephew is a grandchild of one's sibling. (7)

The Shared Centimorgan Project provides the calculated average of shared centimorgans of autosomal DNA (atDNA) for each specific relationship based on crowd-sourced data. The project also provides a range of shared atDNA centimorgans for each relationship. As of March 202, there have been more than 60,000 submissions to the project. (8) The more submissions there are, the closer to accuracy the data analysis can be. Having all this data allows one to make sure the shared atDNA supports the known or supposed relationship with each match the DNA testing company provides for each test-taker.

Figure 2 below shows the relationships analyzed for this study as well as the average and range for each relationship. Siblings can share between 1613-3489 centimorgans (cM) with an average of 2613 cM. An aunt or uncle can share with their niece or nephew between 1201-2282 cM of atDNA wit h the average shared of 1741 cM. A grand (or great) aunt or uncle can share with their grand (or great) niece or nephew between 330-1467 cM with the average shared being 850 cM. First cousins can share between 396-1397 cM and an average of 433 cM with each other. First cousins once removed can share between 102-980 cM and an average of 433 cM. Second cousins can share between 41-592 cM with an average of 229 cM with each other. And second cousins once removed can share between 14-353 cM with an average of 122 cM. (9)

Figure 2: Relationships & the Correlating Average and Range in Centimorgans

All relationships proven in the documentary evidence are supported by the atDNA evidence analysis. Figure 3 below details all eleven Blacketer—Smith descendant atDNA test-takers, how much atDNA they share with each other shown in centimorgans (cM), the relationship between each other supported by documentary evidence, and the calculated standard deviation for each relationship.

While there are a few outliers—meaning some share more than 1 or less than -1 of atDNA with each other— none share more or less than the range of shared atDNA with each other. The outliers are those who share a little more or a little less atDNA due to the random inheritance of atDNA. (10) (These outliers are marked in bold black in the chart.) In fact, most of the atDNA test-takers share close to the average (smaller standard deviation) for each relationship which is strong supporting evidence for the relationships. (These are marked in bold green in the chart.)

Most importantly, 7 of the 10 test-takers who descend from James Wesley Blacketer share close to the average (lower standard deviation) of shared atDNA with the one descendant test-taker of James's sister Mildred, Gary Fred Moore, a.k.a., Test-Taker 11. The other 3 of the 10 share a little less atDNA but are still within the range for the given relationships. Notably the two oldest test-takers, Mary Ann (Blacketer) Halsell (Test-Taker 5) and Patrick Blacketer (Test-Taker 10), who are the closest in relationship to Gary Fred Moore (Test-Taker 11), share very close to the average for their relationship to him, first cousin once removed (1C1R), which makes sense. (These are marked in the yellow cells in the chart.) (11) 

Figure 3: Relationship and Standard Deviation Analysis

So, the autosomal DNA (atDNA) appears to support the documented relationships at this point. I cannot tell with this data if, say, one of Harrison's brothers or half-brothers fathered James. More data points (testers) would be helpful. And I do have more atDNA data to support earlier generations, but I'll share that later. That's enough math and science intersecting with family history for today, right?

~Caroline

Sources:

1. “Autosomal DNA,” FamilyTreeDNA ( https://help.familytreedna.com/hc/en-us/articles/4411196877327-Autosomal-DNA : accessed 25 September 2025).

2. “Autosomal DNA,” FamilyTreeDNA ( https://help.familytreedna.com/hc/en-us/articles/4411196877327-Autosomal-DNA : accessed 25 September 2025).

3. “Autosomal DNA,” FamilyTreeDNA ( https://help.familytreedna.com/hc/en-us/articles/4411196877327-Autosomal-DNA : accessed 25 September 2025).

4. For documentary proof for all relationships: Caroline M. Pointer, Starting Point Analysis Report for Martha Jane Smith, report to file, 29 August 2025, p. 75-77. For multiple relationships: Diana Elder, “Endogamy, Pedigree Collapse, and Multiple Relationships: What’s the Difference and Why Does it Matter?,” Family Locket, 2 September 2022, (https://familylocket.com/endogamy-pedigree-collapse-and-multiple-relationships-whats-the-difference-and-why-does-it-matter/ : accessed 25 September 2025).

5. Ed Williams, “Estimating Confidence Intervals in the Shared cM Project v4,” Counting Chromosomes: The Blog, 28 March 2020, (https://countingchromosomes.com/blog/75-estimating-confidence-intervals-in-the-shared-cm-project-v4 : accessed 25 September 2025).

6. Annelie Hansen, “Untangling the Centimorgans on Your DNA Test,” FamilySearch Blog, 6 April 2020, (https://www.familysearch.org/en/blog/centimorgan-chart-understanding-dna : accessed 25 September 2025).

7. Jessica Grimaud, “What Is a Second Cousin?–Cousin Relationships Explained,” FamilySearch Blog, 23 July 2019, (https://www.familysearch.org/en/blog/what-is-a-second-cousin : accessed 25 September 2025.

8. Blaine T. Bettinger, “Version 4.0! March 2020 Update to the Shared cM Project!,” The Genetic Genealogist, 27 March 2020, (https://thegeneticgenealogist.com/2020/03/27/version-4-0-march-2020-update-to-the-shared-cm-project/). 

9. Jonny Perl, The Shared cM Project 4.0 tool v4 (https://dnapainter.com/tools/sharedcmv4 : accessed 25 September 2025); citing Blaine T. Bettinger, The Shared cM Project.

10. “Autosomal DNA,” FamilyTreeDNA ( https://help.familytreedna.com/hc/en-us/articles/4411196877327-Autosomal-DNA : accessed 25 September 2025).

11. All atDNA comparisons were made at AncestryDNA using shared matches of shared matches. For detailed citations for each comparison, see: Caroline M. Pointer, Starting Point Analysis Report for Martha Jane Smith, report to file, 29 August 2025, p. 73-75.

Where was James Wesley Blacketer Born?

This might be a silly question. Especially when I reveal most of the documentation I can find is in agreement. James Wesley Blacketer was born in Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie, Iowa, on 22 March 1894.

His dad Harrison Blacketer said so in 1898 and 1915. (1)

James Wesley Blacketer said so numerous times. (2)

Over the years, the census recordings for him do not disagree. (3)

His last wife, Rose, seemed to believe he was born in Joplin, Missouri, on 22 March 1896. (4) From what I've seen in my research a third wife is usually the last to know about her husband's origins whether on purpose or not. They're far removed usually from their husband's origins and family. And James Wesley may not have told her the truth. Or maybe Rose was grieving and made a mistake. 

James Wesley Blacketer Tombstone with incorrect birthdate.

And, actually, I believe James Wesley and Harrison, about this at least. The information is consistent throughout his life. However, the State of Iowa could not find a birth record for him. (5) But maybe Martha didn't register his birth, though the State of Iowa had started registering births in 1880. (6) So, why this blog post?

Why Council Bluffs?

Because I'm really wondering WHY he was born in Council Bluffs. Spoiler alert: I don't know. 

But if he was a full-term baby, James Wesley was most probably conceived between 27 June 1893 and 1 July 1893. (7) I always feel like things are really getting serious in my research when my ancestors make me use the Pregnancy Conception Calculator. Don't make me get the Pregnancy Conception Calculator out!😅 Where was everyone in 1893? Again, I don't know. I'm still working on that.

Here is what I do know:

On 18 March 1891, a surgeon's examining board examined Harrison Blacketer in Maryville, Nodaway, Missouri, for his Civil War pensions claim.(8) According to Harrison's affidavit taken the day before on 17 March 1891, he lived in Maryville. (9) The month before that in 1891, Andrew J. Davis of Maryville provided an affidavit for Harrison's pension claim. He stated they had been "near neighbors" for about eleven years. (10) I've yet to find any documentation for Harrison after that until he married Martha Jane Smith in 1898. (11)

Partial Timeline for Martha Jane (Smith) Blacketer (12)

Gap in Martha Jane's Timeline

And I have a gap in Martha Jane's timeline between the photocopied photo of her labeled as 1882 and her marriage to Harrison in 1898, except for James Wesley's birth in Council Bluffs, Iowa in 1894. (13) If I go back further to 1880 in Maryville, Harrison Blacketer and Martha Jane Smith are living together, but not as husband and wife, but as stepfather and stepdaughter. And the enumerator recorded Estella C. Blacketer as Harrison's wife. Martha Jane was only 10 years old then. (14) This record implies that Estella C. is Martha's mother. Next door is Andrew J. Davis, Estella's father. Also, Harrison Blacketer's half-brother Jacob M. Blacketer lived on the other side of Andrew. (15)

Another Marriage for Harrison?

So, was Harrison first married to Estella C. and then her daughter Martha Jane Smith? Maybe. Why did Martha Jane give birth to James Wesley Blacketer in Council Bluffs? I still don't know, but I wonder if she ended up pregnant in 1893 and was sent away as an unmarried pregnant girl to have her baby? Or maybe she ran away? Or maybe she and Harrison ran away. I just don't know and likely never will.

But that does make me wonder. Were Harrison and Estella C. married? If so, did they ever divorce? What was going on?

For Jane Blacketer's widows pension claim, Stella C. Smith stated on 7 May 1918 she was Jane Blacketer's mother. (16) Is Stella C. Smith also Estella C. Blacketer? And that's what I'll tackle next, Estella's name. Clarity is needed. 😅

~Caroline

Sources:

1. Pensions Bureau Family Data Circular, 3 May 1898, Harrison Blacketer Civil War Pension File including the Widows Pension Application, Pointer Family Papers; privately held by Caroline Pointer [Address for Private Use,] Conroe, Texas, 2020. This photocopy of the file was made by Judy Hopkins of Boise, Idaho in 2018 from her own family collection. She obtained the file from the Veterans Administration in 2000. Each page was numbered by hand by Judy 1-256 but is missing pages 149-156. The photocopy is easily read. Pensions Bureau Family Data Circular, Harrison Blacketer, 16 April 1915, Ibid.

2. "United States World War I Registration Cards, 1917-1918," database and images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1968530 : accessed 28 Jun 2017) card for Wesley Blacketer, serial no. 126, Local Draft Board 44, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri; NARA microfilm publication M1509. Washington D.C., n.d. James Wesley Blacketer is the most likely informant: "Soldiers' Records: War of 1812—World War I," database, Missouri Digital Heritage, (http://sos.mo.gov/mdh/ : 22 Mar 2020), entry for Wesley Blacketer, Army serial no. 1514137; Office of the Adjutant General of Missouri. Also, St. Mary's Church (San Antonio, Texas), Baptisms, 1914-1919, p. 457, entry for Wesley James Blacketer baptism, 7 Jun 1919; imaged "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981," digital images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1681015 : accessed 13 Mar 2020) > digital film 007600001 > image 929 of 953; imaged from FHL film no. 25467. Also, "U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925," imaged, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1174/ : accessed 11 Oct 2010), application image, James W. Blacketer, 12 Jul 1920, no. 71442; National Archives microfilm M1372, Roll 1307. And, James Wesley Blacketer, SS no. 459-34-5587, 3 Feb 1943, Application for Account Number (Form SS-5), Social Security Administration, Baltimore, Maryland.

3. 1900 U.S. census, Clinton County, Missouri, Shoal Township, Cameron City Ward 1-2,  population schedule, Enumeration District (ED) 41, p. 164 (stamped), sheet 12-A, dwelling 268, family 272, Harrison Blacketer household; imaged, “1900 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7602/: accessed 8 September 2025). 1910 U.S. census, Clinton, Missouri, Cameron Ward 1, population schedule, Enumeration District (ED) 42, p. 147 (stamped), sheet 5-B, dwelling 127, family 124, Harrison Blacketer household; imaged, “1910 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7884/ : accessed 8 September 2025. 1920 U.S. census, Bexar County, Texas, San Antonio, population schedule, Enumeration District (ED) 90, p. 65 (stamped), sheet 1-B, dwelling 26, family 29, James W. Blacketer household; imaged, "1920 United States Federal Census," Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6061/ : accessed 11 Oct 2010). 1930 U.S. census, Bexar County, Texas, San Antonio, population schedule, Enumeration District (ED) 142, p. 140 (stamped), sheet 5-A, dwelling 75, family 81, James J. Blacketer household; imaged, "1930 United States Federal Census," Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6224/ : accessed 11 October 2010). 1950 U.S. census, Bexar, Texas, San Antonio, Enumeration District (ED) 265-28, sheet 72, household 81, lines 24-25 James W. Blacketer household; imaged, "1950 United States Federal Census," Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/62308/ : accessed 2 April 2022.)

4. Mrs. Rose Blacketer as the informant: "Texas Deaths, 1890-1977," database with images, FamilySearch, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GY18-V4R : accessed 19 Mar 2020) > Image Group Number [IGN] 005145635 > image 363 of 3460 > image certificate no. 39348, James Wesley Blacketer, 6 Aug 1951; State Registrar, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Austin. Mrs. Rose Blacketer as next of kin and birthdate corrected in green: "U.S. National Cemetery Interment Control Forms, 1928-1962," database with images, Ancestry, (http://ancestry.com : accessed 22 Mar 2020), form image, Wesley Blacketer, Army serial no. 1514137; National Archives, "Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 1774-1985," RG 92, College Park, Maryland. Tombstone has incorrect birthdate: Caroline Martin Pointer, "James Wesley Blacketer Tombstone Image," privately held by C.M. Pointer, [Address for Personal Use.], Conroe, Texas, 2010.

5. Iowa Department of Public Health, Bureau of Health Statistics, "Notification of Record Search," 23 May 2016, James Wesley Blacketer, searched 1 January 1890 to 31 December 1899. They were unable to locate the record.

6. "Revised and Annotated Code of Iowa …in Force July 4, 1880," (Des Moines: Mills & Company, Publishers, 1880), 421; imaged The Iowa Legislature (https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/shelves/code/ocr/1880%20Iowa%20Code%20(Miller%20Edition).pdf : accessed 10 September 2025).

7. Maple Tech International LLC, “Pregnancy Conception Calculator,” Calculator.net (https://www.calculator.net/pregnancy-calculator.html : 16 October 2025) > search "22 Mar 1894" based on "Due Date."

8. Surgeon's Certificate, 18 March 1891, Harrison Blacketer Civil War Pension File including the Widows Pension Application, Pointer Family Papers; privately held by Caroline Pointer [Address for Private Use,] Conroe, Texas, 2020. This photocopy of the file was made by Judy Hopkins of Boise, Idaho, in 2018 from her own family collection. She obtained the file from the Veterans Administration in 2000. Each page was numbered by hand by Judy 1-256, but the photocopy is missing pages 149-156. The photocopy is easily read.

9. Harrison Blacketer, General Affidavit, 17 March 1891, Ibid.

10. Andrew J. Davis, General Affidavit, 5 February 1891, Ibid.

11. Buchanan County, Missouri, "Marriage Record from June 5, 1897 to Dec. 28, 1899," vol. N, p. 326, Harrison Blacketer–Jane Smith, 27 April 1898; imaged "Missouri, County Marriage, Naturalization, and Court Records, 1800-1991," FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/collection/2060668 : accessed 28 August 2025) > IGN 007425041 > image 425 of 505; citing Buchanan County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds, St. Joseph.

12. Caroline Martin Pointer, "Starting Point Analysis Report for Martha Jane Smith," Report to File, 29 August 2025.

13. Martha Smith and her mother Estella C., photocopy of a photograph, annotated by unknown author, but likely Norma Jean (Blacketer) Jones: “Martha Smith Born 1869-Died 1944, Estella C mother, Photo 1882”; privately held by C.M. Pointer [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,” Conroe, Texas, 2025. The photocopy is black and white and depicts a formal studio portrait of two women taken by an unknown photographer at an unknown location. Either the photograph itself or a photocopy of it was given to Mary Alice Blacketer by Norma Jean (Blacketer) Jones. In about 1985, Norma Jean found Mary Alice. A photocopy of the original photograph was given to Lois Blacketer who then gave a photocopy to John Blacketer and C.M. Pointer. For James Wesley's birth: Pensions Bureau Family Data Circular, 3 May 1898, Harrison Blacketer Civil War Pension File including the Widows Pension Application, Pointer Family Papers; privately held by Caroline Pointer [Address for Private Use,] Conroe, Texas, 2020. This photocopy of the file was made by Judy Hopkins of Boise, Idaho in 2018 from her own family collection. She obtained the file from the Veterans Administration in 2000. Each page was numbered by hand by Judy 1-256 but is missing pages 149-156. The photocopy is easily read. For James Wesley's birth: Pensions Bureau Family Data Circular, Harrison Blacketer, 6 April 1915, Ibid.

14. 1880 U.S. census, Nodaway, Missouri, Maryville, population schedule, Enumeration District (ED) 261, p. 31 (penned), p. 205 (stamped), dwelling 279, family 288, Harrison Blacketer household; imaged “1880 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6742/ : 8 September 2025).

15. Ibid. For father-daughter relationship: Family Data Circular, 4 May 1898, Andrew J. Davis, (Private, Company I, 4th Iowa Cavalry, Civil War), pension no. S.C. 654,177; Case Files of Approved Pension Applications…, 1861-1934; Civil War and Later Pension Files; Record Group 15: Records of the Department of Veteran Affairs, Washington, D.C. Also, Andrew as implied father of Estella: 1870 U.S. census, Adams County, Iowa, population schedule, Quincy township, page 13 (penned), dwelling 91, family 91, Estella C. Smith in Andrew J. Davis household; imaged "U.S. Federal Census Collection," Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7163/ : 12 March 2024). For sibling relationship of Jacob of Maryville to Harrison: Jacob M. Blacketer General Affidavit, 5 June 1915, Harrison Blacketer Civil War Pension File including the Widows Pension Application, Pointer Family Papers; privately held by Caroline Pointer [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Conroe, Texas, 2020. This photocopy of the file was made by Judy Hopkins of Boise, Idaho in 2018 from her own family collection. She obtained the file from the Veterans Administration in 2000. Each page was numbered by hand by Judy 1-256 but is missing pages 149-156. The photocopy is easily read. For it being a half-relationship: Special Examination Report, p.17-18, Harrison Blacketer Deposition B, 11 June 1914, Ibid.

16. Stella C. Smith General Affidavit, 7 May 1915, Jane Blacketer Widows Pension File, Ibid.

Why 1898?

In my last post I wanted to know why Harrison Blacketer and Martha Jane Smith married in 1898. And for many years I really didn't even think about why they married in 1898. I was just happy they married and their marriage record was easily found.

Then I started going through everything I have about Martha Jane Smith and writing up analyses of everything in a Starting Point Analysis Report. And then I found something in my files I had overlooked. My Aunt Lois had sent me copies of family unit charts (family group sheets) authored by Norma Jean (Blacketer) Jones, Maurice's daughter. (Maurice Blacketer was my grandfather James Wesley's younger brother.) 

How the author is related to Harrison, Martha Jane, Maurice, and Norma Jean Blacketer.

Norma Jean had created family unit charts for many Blacketer generations. On the Blacketer—Smith family unit chart she recorded a total of four children for Harrison and Martha Jane. (1)

Wait. Four?

I thought they had three children: James Wesley, Mildred, and Maurice. (2)

But, alas, there was another child. Harrison and Martha Jane had a stillborn girl in 1898. Norma stated she was buried in an unmarked grave at the foot of a friend in northwest corner in McDaniel Cemetery in Cameron, Clinton, Missouri. (3)

How terribly sad for them both. I cannot begin to imagine the heartbreak and pain of their loss.

It also might explain their marrying in 1898 specifically. (4) I still do not know why James Wesley was born in 1894 in Council Bluffs, Iowa, but this does place, at the very least, Martha Jane in Cameron, Missouri, in 1898. (5)

Her and Harrison's obituaries place them in Cameron in about 1895. The information was likely provided by (James) Wesley or Martha Jane for Harrison's and by Maurice and/or Mildred for Martha Jane's. (6)

However, on their marriage license application, the recorder wrote down they were both "of Harrison County, Missouri," on 27 April 1898. (7) Harrison stated he was born there. (8) He lived there in 1850 and 1860. (9) And he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1863 in Bethany, Harrison, Missouri. (10) So maybe there was some confusion on Harrison's part or on the recorder's part.

Anywho, while a sad event, I'm glad Norma Jean knew about this stillborn girl and recorded her down. Otherwise, she would have been lost to history.

And I'm glad I went back through my files with a fine-tooth comb.

Now I need to go back to Cameron. I have another cemetery to visit, though I don't have a lot of information about this burial. I wonder if I have enough? If the "friend" is also unmarked, probably not. But I need a look-see of the northwest corner of McDaniel Cemetery. You know, just to make sure.

Next up? Why have I spent so much time trying to nail down where everyone was before their marriage in 1898? Part of the reason has been to nail down better documentation of James Wesley's birth. And why was he born in Council Bluffs, Iowa?

~Caroline

1. Norma Jean Jones, Harrison Blacketer—Martha Jane Smith Family Unit Chart, Blacketer Family Unit Sheets, 1787-1993; photocopy supplied by Lois Blacketer, [Address for private use.], San Antonio, Texas 78223, 2012; privately held in Blacketer Family Files, Caroline Pointer, [Address for private use.], Conroe, Texas; This sheet does not offer any documentation for the information presented.

2. For James Wesley: Family Data Circular filled out by Harrison Blacketer 3 May 1898, Harrison Blacketer Civil War Pension File including the Widows Pension Application, Pointer Family Papers; privately held by Caroline Pointer [Address for Private Use,] Conroe, Texas, 2020. This photocopy of the file was made by Judy Hopkins of Boise, Idaho in 2018 from her own family collection. She obtained the file from the Veterans Administration in 2000. Each page was numbered by hand by Judy 1-256 but is missing pages 149-156. The photocopy is easily read. For Mildred: Declaration for Widow’s Pension, 20 April 1915, Ibid. For Maurice: General Affidavit of Jane Blacketer, 22 July 1915, Ibid.

3. Norma Jean Jones, Harrison Blacketer—Martha Jane Smith Family Unit Chart, Blacketer Family Unit Sheets, 1787-1993; photocopy supplied by Lois Blacketer, [Address for private use.], San Antonio, Texas 78223, 2012; privately held in Blacketer Family Files, Caroline Pointer, [Address for private use.], Conroe, Texas; This sheet does not offer any documentation for the information presented.

4. Buchanan County, Missouri, "Marriage Record from June 5, 1897 to Dec. 28, 1899," vol. N, p. 326, Harrison Blacketer–Jane Smith, 27 April 1898; imaged "Missouri, County Marriage, Naturalization, and Court Records, 1800-1991," FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/collection/2060668 : accessed 28 August 2025) > IGN 007425041 > image 425 of 505; citing Buchanan County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds, St. Joseph.

5. Pensions Bureau Family Data Circular, 16 April 1915, Harrison Blacketer Civil War Pension File including the Widows Pension Application, Pointer Family Papers; privately held by Caroline Pointer [Address for Private Use,] Conroe, Texas, 2020. This photocopy of the file was made by Judy Hopkins of Boise, Idaho in 2018 from her own family collection. She obtained the file from the Veterans Administration in 2000. Each page was numbered by hand by Judy 1-256 but is missing pages 149-156. The photocopy is easily read.

6. For Harrison: "Harrison Blacketer Dead," The Cameron Sun (Missouri), 22 April 1915, p. 5, col. 5; Newspapers.com (http://newspapers.com : accessed 6 May 2018). Wesley Blacketer was the informant for Harrison's death certificate: "Missouri Death Certificates, 1910-1969," Missouri Secretary of State, imaged, Missouri Digital Heritage (https://www.sos.mo.gov/images/archives/deathcerts/1915/1915_00012089.PDF : viewed 23 Aug 2016), certificate image, Harrison Blacketer, 16 April 1915, no. 11982. For Martha Jane: "Mrs. Jane Blacketer," The Cameron Citizen Observer (Missouri), 27 April 1944, p. 5, cols. 1 and 2, Newspapers.com (http://newspapers.com : accessed 2 September 2025). Her son Maurice was the informant for her death certificate: "Missouri Death Certificates, 1910-1973," Missouri Secretary of State, imaged, Missouri Digital Heritage (https://www.sos.mo.gov/images/archives/deathcerts/1944/1944_00014457.PDF : viewed 25 March 2024), certificate image, Martha Jane Blacketer, 26 April 1944, no. 14461. 

7. Buchanan County, Missouri, "Marriage Record from June 5, 1897 to Dec. 28, 1899," vol. N, p. 326, Harrison Blacketer–Jane Smith, 27 April 1898; imaged "Missouri, County Marriage, Naturalization, and Court Records, 1800-1991," FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/collection/2060668 : accessed 28 August 2025) > IGN 007425041 > image 425 of 505; citing Buchanan County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds, St. Joseph.

8. Special Examination Report, p.16, Deposition B, 11 June 1914,  Harrison Blacketer Civil War Pension File including the Widows Pension Application, Pointer Family Papers; privately held by Caroline Pointer [Address for Private Use,] Conroe, Texas, 2020. This photocopy of the file was made by Judy Hopkins of Boise, Idaho in 2018 from her own family collection. She obtained the file from the Veterans Administration in 2000. Each page was numbered by hand by Judy 1-256 but is missing pages 149-156. The photocopy is easily read.

9. 1850 U.S. census, Harrison County, Missouri, population schedule, p. 845 (penned), p. 423 (stamped), dwelling 32, family 34, Howell R Blacketer household; imaged, "1850 United States Federal Census," Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8054/ : 1 February 2024). And, 1860 U.S. census, Harrison, Missouri, Bethany, population schedule, p. 120, dwelling 811, family 786, Howel Blacketer household; imaged, "1860 United States Federal Census," Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7667/ : 1 February 2024).  

10. Compiled Service Record, Harrison Blacketer, Pvt., Co. B, 12th Missouri Cavalry; Carded Records, Volunteer Organizations, Civil War; Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1780s-1917; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

We Were Married in 1893. I mean 1892. Okay, 1890? 1898.

We all make decisions. Sometimes we decide to lie. They might just be little white lies, but I'd be surprised to find out there is someone out there in the world who hasn't lied even if it was a white lie to not hurt someone's feelings.

In any case, Harrison Blacketer and Martha Jane (Smith) Blacketer made decisions, and because we don't have a diary or journal explaining the reasoning behind their choices, the polite thing we can say is, "Decisions were made."

And with this particular decision they made, we might be able to deduce why. Maybe.

1893 Marriage

In 1898 and 1915 the U.S. pensions office asked veterans information about their families to make the claims process easier. (1) On 3 May 1898 Harrison Blacketer filled out and signed his Family Data Circular. He informed the Pensions Bureau of his marriage to Jane Smith in St. Joseph, Buchanan, Missouri, on 27 April 1893. He also informed them that they had a son name James Wesley Blacketer, born 22 March 1894. (2)

1892 Marriage

In 1900 the census enumerator recorded that Harrison and Martha J. Blacketer had been married for eight years, suggesting they married in 1892. The enumerator also recorded a son for Harrison, James Wesley Blacketer born March 1894. (3) Likewise, ten years later in 1910, the census enumerator recorded Harrison and Mattie Blacketer had been married for eighteen years, again, suggesting they had married in 1892. A sixteen-year-old Wesley is also recorded as Harrison's son, suggesting a birth year of about 1894. (4)

1890 Marriage

On the day he died, Harrison filled out another Family Data Circular for the Pensions Bureau. He informed them that he married Martha Jane Smith in St. Joseph, Missouri, on 27 April 1890. He also informed them he had a son named Wesley, born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on 22 March 1894. He also listed his two other children. (5) In both of their obituaries, the authors—likely Martha Jane or James Wesley for Harrison's obituary and likely Maurice and/or Mildred for Martha Jane's obituary—state 1890 as their marriage year. (6)

1898 Marriage

Martha Jane Blacketer provided proof of their correct marriage date, 27 April 1898, to the Pensions Bureau. She explains the mistake away by a misreading of the last number of the year on their marriage certificate. She also informs them that James Wesley was, indeed, born out of wedlock, and that Harrison had not been married and divorced before as the Pensions Bureau had been concerned about. (7)

1898 Blacketer-Smith Marriage License Application and Return (8)

But Was it a Misreading?

Maybe. It could have been a misreading. I mean, the second eight of 1898 could have looked like a three (Or a two. Or a zero.) on the marriage certificate Harrison and Martha Jane had in their possession. That's plausible. But I also think there were some other things going on that affected their decisions. The first one is obvious after Martha Jane's explanation to the Pensions Bureau. Their firstborn James Wesley was born out of wedlock. They may have been reporting their marriage occurring before his birth to avoid societal shame for them and their son. That is likely. And understandable.

However, in 1915 there may be another practical reason Harrison provided this specific marriage date—27 April 1890—which is even two years earlier than stated in the 1900 and 1910 censuses. (9) Congress passed an act on 19 April 1908 allowing widows of veterans who had served 90 days or more and who were married to the veteran prior to 27 June 1890 to receive $12 per month without having to prove the veteran's death was caused by his service. (10)

1915 Certified Copy of Blacketer-Smith Marriage License (11)

So, I think it was a little of both. It depended on who wanted to know. It makes sense if we are going to try and make sense of their lying. I mean decisions. 

And someday our descendants will say the same about us when they find our lies: "Decisions were made." If they find them. I mean, I hope someone cares enough to look and wonder why I made the decisions I made. Or maybe not. LOL.

Of course decisions lead to more questions about Harrison and Martha Jane. Why did they marry in 1898? Why not before then? But this "block" has been built about their story. We will build another block on top of this one next time.

~Caroline

Sources:

1. Claire Prechtel-Khuskens, “Family Data Circulars of 1898 and 1915,” NGS Magazine, 38 (October-December 2012): 28–31; image copy, Twelve Key ( https://twelvekey.com/articles/ : accessed 14 October 2025). 

2. Pensions Bureau Family Data Circular, 3 May 1898, Harrison Blacketer Civil War Pension File including the Widows Pension Application, Pointer Family Papers; privately held by Caroline Pointer [Address for Private Use,] Conroe, Texas, 2020. This photocopy of the file was made by Judy Hopkins of Boise, Idaho in 2018 from her own family collection. She obtained the file from the Veterans Administration in 2000. Each page was numbered by hand by Judy 1-256 but is missing pages 149-156. The photocopy is easily read.

3. 1900 U.S. census, Clinton County, Missouri, Shoal Township, Cameron City Ward 1-2,  population schedule, Enumeration District (ED) 41, p. 164 (stamped), sheet 12-A, dwelling 268, family 272, Harrison Blacketer household; imaged, “1900 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7602/: accessed 8 September 2025).

4. 1910 U.S. census, Clinton, Missouri, Cameron Ward 1, population schedule, Enumeration District (ED) 42, p. 147 (stamped), sheet 5-B, dwelling 127, family 124, Harrison Blacketer household; imaged, “1910 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7884/ : accessed 8 September 2025.

5. Pensions Bureau Family Data Circular, 16 April 1915, Harrison Blacketer Civil War Pension File including the Widows Pension Application, Pointer Family Papers; privately held by Caroline Pointer [Address for Private Use,] Conroe, Texas, 2020. This photocopy of the file was made by Judy Hopkins of Boise, Idaho in 2018 from her own family collection. She obtained the file from the Veterans Administration in 2000. Each page was numbered by hand by Judy 1-256 but is missing pages 149-156. The photocopy is easily read.

6. "Harrison Blacketer Dead," The Cameron Sun (Missouri), 22 April 1915, p. 5, col. 5. And, "Mrs. Jane Blacketer," The Cameron Citizen Observer (Missouri), 27 April 1944, p. 5, cols. 1 and 2.

7. For Pensions Bureau's concerns: Pensions Bureau Letter to Jane Blacketer, 15 July 1915, Harrison Blacketer Civil War Pension File including the Widows Pension Application, Pointer Family Papers; privately held by Caroline Pointer [Address for Private Use,] Conroe, Texas, 2020. This photocopy of the file was made by Judy Hopkins of Boise, Idaho in 2018 from her own family collection. She obtained the file from the Veterans Administration in 2000. Each page was numbered by hand by Judy 1-256 but is missing pages 149-156. The photocopy is easily read. For Jane Blacketer's Response: General Affidavit of Jane Blacketer, 22 July 1915, Ibid.

8. Buchanan County, Missouri, "Marriage Record from June 5, 1897 to Dec. 28, 1899," vol. N, p. 326, Harrison Blacketer–Jane Smith, 27 April 1898; imaged "Missouri, County Marriage, Naturalization, and Court Records, 1800-1991," FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/collection/2060668 : accessed 28 August 2025) > IGN 007425041 > image 425 of 505; citing Buchanan County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds, St. Joseph.

9. Pensions Bureau Family Data Circular, 16 April 1915, Harrison Blacketer Civil War Pension File including the Widows Pension Application, Pointer Family Papers; privately held by Caroline Pointer [Address for Private Use,] Conroe, Texas, 2020. This photocopy of the file was made by Judy Hopkins of Boise, Idaho in 2018 from her own family collection. She obtained the file from the Veterans Administration in 2000. Each page was numbered by hand by Judy 1-256 but is missing pages 149-156. The photocopy is easily read. 1900 U.S. census, Clinton County, Missouri, Shoal Township, Cameron City Ward 1-2,  population schedule, Enumeration District (ED) 41, p. 164 (stamped), sheet 12-A, dwelling 268, family 272, Harrison Blacketer household; imaged, “1900 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7602/: accessed 8 September 2025). Also, 1910 U.S. census, Clinton, Missouri, Cameron Ward 1, population schedule, Enumeration District (ED) 42, p. 147 (stamped), sheet 5-B, dwelling 127, family 124, Harrison Blacketer household; imaged, “1910 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7884/ : accessed 8 September 2025.

10. United States Congress, The Statues at Large of the United States of America from December, 1907, to March, 1909…, vol. 35 (Washington D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1909), 64, "An Act To increase the pension of widows, minor children, and so forth, of deceased soldiers and sailors of the late civil war, the war with Mexico, the various Indian wars, and so forth, and to grant a pension to certain widows of the deceased soldiers and sailors of the late civil war.”

11. Certified Copy of Blacketer—Smith Marriage License Jane Blacketer Supplied the Pensions Bureau, 22 April 1915, Harrison Blacketer Civil War Pension File including the Widows Pension Application, Pointer Family Papers; privately held by Caroline Pointer [Address for Private Use,] Conroe, Texas, 2020. This photocopy of the file was made by Judy Hopkins of Boise, Idaho in 2018 from her own family collection. She obtained the file from the Veterans Administration in 2000. Each page was numbered by hand by Judy 1-256 but is missing pages 149-156. The photocopy is easily read.

Say Cheese!

 

Martha Jane Smith and Estella C. (Davis) Smith

I know. It isn't the best picture. BUT AT LEAST I HAVE A PICTURE. I don't have to daydream about what they looked like. And they most likely were not saying, "Cheese!"

Source: Martha Smith and her mother Estella C., photocopy of a photograph, annotated by unknown author, but likely Norma Jean (Blacketer) Jones: “Martha Smith Born 1869-Died 1944, Estella C mother, Photo 1882”; privately held by C.M. Pointer [Address for Private Use,” Conroe, Texas, 2025. The photocopy is black and white and depicts a formal studio portrait of two women taken by an unknown photographer at an unknown location. Either the photograph itself or a photocopy of it was given to Mary Alice Blacketer by Norma Jean (Blacketer) Jones. In about 1985, Norma Jean found Mary Alice. A photocopy of the original photograph was given to Lois Blacketer who then gave a photocopy to John Blacketer and C.M. Pointer.

Analysis: This black-and-white photocopy of a photograph was given to Caroline M. Pointer in 2012 by her Aunt Lois Blacketer, who was married to her Uncle Gerry Blacketer. In turn she was given a copy of it by Mary Alice Velda (Truitt) Blacketer. Mary Alice was the ex-wife of James Wesley and mother of Caroline’s mother and Aunt Lois’s husband Gerry. In about 1980, she was contacted by Norma Jean (Blacketer) Jones and notified her she was James Wesley’s niece (daughter of James Wesley's younger brother Maurice), and that her uncle James Wesley disappeared in 1919. This photo or a photocopy of it was given to Mary Alice. It is not known who identified Martha Smith, born 1869 and died 1944 and her mother Estella C., or who dated the photo as 1882, but likely Norma Jean (Blacketer) Jones, a family historian. Though the photocopy is of okay quality, it is not the best either. 

Notes: If it was indeed taken in 1882, Martha would have been about thirteen years old and Estella C. about 32 years old, and they likely were residing in Maryville, Nodaway, Missouri. Their appearances in the photo do not disagree with these ages necessarily but cannot be definite.

As you can tell from my analysis Martha's son James Wesley was also complicated and messy. Turns out his behavior was not isolated. His lies were rooted in lies he grew up with, whether he knew it or not. And we will get through all of it block-by-block. Anywho, this photocopy of a photograph is a blessing to have.

~Caroline

Estella C. Davis Descendancy to Author

I Was Once Known as Martha, Now I'm Known as Jane

Before I can tackle Harrison Blacketer and his two marriages like I promised, I have to discuss his apparent second wife Martha Jane (Smith) Blacketer, my great grandmother. And I'll do it in small blocks to build up to...so many other things explaining these complicated individuals and others. LOL.

Over the course of her life Martha Jane went by several different given names. Because nothing is ever easy, right?

Here is a selection of names she went by or was known by:

1870: Sarah M. Smith (1)

1880: Mattie J. Smith (2)

1898: Jane Smith (3)

1900: Martha Jane Blacketer (4)

1910: Mattie Blacketer (5)

1915: Jane Blacketer (6)

1930: Martha J. Blacketer (7)

In an affidavit to the Pension Bureau on 22 July 1915, Jane explained she was known as "Martha," but she was then known as "Jane," which is the name she used when she married Harrison. (8) Much of the documentation supports that her maiden name was Martha Jane Smith and when younger, she was known as "Mattie," which can be a nickname for Martha. (9) Martha Jane had one death notice and two obituaries. (10) The two obituaries, written with information provided most likely by her son and daughter, used "Martha Jane Blacketer and "Mattie Jane Blacketer." (11) One of these obituaries mentions her maiden name "Smith." (12) These newspaper articles written posthumously seem to pull together all the name variations she used throughout her life except for one.

The enumerator recorded a different name for Estella's supposed daughter in the 1870 census in Andrew J. Davis's household in Maryville, Nodaway, Missouri, "Sarah M." (13) This may suggest "Sarah M." is a different child. However, the age appears to agree with other documents. (14) And her middle initial could stand for "Martha." Also, it is quite possible the enumerator recorded it wrong, or, in this household, as a baby her aunts, uncles, and maternal grandparents—who she lived with in 1870—called her "Sarah." Or maybe Estella was just trying out the name and decided later it didn't "fit" her daughter. Additionally, in 1900 the enumerator recorded that Estella C. Smith had only one child who was still living out of a total one child being born to her, very likely information given directly by her. At the time she was living as mother-in-law to Harrison Blacketer who was married to Martha Jane Blacketer, implying she was Martha Jane's mother. This supports the idea of her having only one child—Martha Jane Smith. (15)

Of note was another family member, a one-year-old Lorena Davis in the 1870 Andrew J. Davis household. (16) Ten years later in 1880 there was an 11-year-old "Morena" Davis in the Andrew J. Davis household next door to Harrison Blacketer where Estella C. Smith and Martha Jane Smith resided. (17) This was likely the same person and the enumerator incorrectly heard and/or spelled her name. But other than this minor spelling difference for Lorena/Morena and the name "Sarah M." for the supposed Martha Jane, the ages and places of birth in 1870 in Maryville for Estella C. Smith, Sarah M. Smith, Lorena Davis, and Andrew J. Davis seem to be consistent with the ages and places of birth for Estella C. Blacketer, Mattie J. Smith, Morena Davis, and Andrew J. Davis ten years later in 1880 in Maryville. (18)

It appears Martha Jane "Mattie" (Smith) Blacketer used her different given names as the seasons of her life changed.

It also appears that Harrison Blacketer married first Estella C. (Davis) Smith, and then second his step-daughter Martha Jane Smith. Did you catch that? Is that a mistake? I don't think so. But we will get to this complicated mess eventually. Block by block. ;)

Blacketer—Smith Descendancy to Author

~Caroline

Sources:

     1.   1870 U.S. census, Adams County, Iowa, population schedule, Quincy township, page 13 (penned), dwelling 91, family 91, Sarah M. Smith in Andrew J. Davis household; imaged "U.S. Federal Census Collection," Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7163/ : 12 March 2024).

     2.   1880 U.S. census, Nodaway, Missouri, Maryville, population schedule, Enumeration District (ED) 261, p. 31 (penned), p. 205 (stamped), dwelling 279, family 288, Mattie J. Smith in Harrison Blacketer household; imaged, “1880 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6742/ : 2 February 2024).

     3.    Buchanan County, Missouri, "Marriage Record from June 5, 1897 to Dec. 28, 1899," vol. N, p. 326, Harrison Blacketer–Jane Smith, 27 April 1898; imaged "Missouri, County Marriage, Naturalization, and Court Records, 1800-1991," FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/collection/2060668 : accessed 28 August 2025) > IGN 007425041 > image 425 of 505; citing Buchanan County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds, St. Joseph.

     4.    1900 U.S. census, Clinton County, Missouri, Shoal Township, Cameron City Ward 1-2, Enumeration District (ED) 41, population schedule, p. 164 (stamped), sheet 12-A, dwelling 268, family 272, Martha J. Blacketer in Harrison Blacketer household; imaged, “1900 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7602/: accessed 8 September 2025).

     5.    1910 U.S. census, Clinton, Missouri, Cameron Ward 1, population schedule, Enumeration District (ED) 42, p. 147 (stamped), sheet 5-B, dwelling 127, family 124, Mattie Blacketer in Harrison Blacketer household; imaged, “1910 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7884/ : accessed 8 September 2025.

     6.    General Affidavit of Jane Blacketer, 22 July 1915, Harrison Blacketer Civil War Pension File including the Widows Pension Application, Pointer Family Papers; privately held by Caroline Pointer [Address for Private Use,] Conroe, Texas, 2020. This photocopy of the file was made by Judy Hopkins of Boise, Idaho in 2018 from her own family collection. She obtained the file from the Veterans Administration in 2000. Each page was numbered by hand by Judy 1-256 but is missing pages 149-156. The photocopy is easily read.

     7.    1930 U.S. census, Clinton County, Missouri, Cameron, population schedule, Enumeration District (ED) 25-18, p. 114 (stamped), sheet 3-A, dwelling 67, family 67, Martha J. Blacketer in Maurice Blacketer household; imaged, "1930 United States Federal Census," Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6224/ : accessed 28 August 2025).

     8.    General Affidavit of Jane Blacketer, 22 July 1915, Harrison Blacketer Civil War Pension File including the Widows Pension Application, Pointer Family Papers; privately held by Caroline Pointer [Address for Private Use,] Conroe, Texas, 2020. This photocopy of the file was made by Judy Hopkins of Boise, Idaho in 2018 from her own family collection. She obtained the file from the Veterans Administration in 2000. Each page was numbered by hand by Judy 1-256 but is missing pages 149-156. The photocopy is easily read. For marriage: Buchanan County, Missouri, "Marriage Record from June 5, 1897 to Dec. 28, 1899," vol. N, p. 326, Harrison Blacketer–Jane Smith, 27 April 1898; imaged "Missouri, County Marriage, Naturalization, and Court Records, 1800-1991," FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/collection/2060668 : accessed 28 August 2025) > IGN 007425041 > image 425 of 505; citing Buchanan County, Missouri Recorder of Deeds, St. Joseph.

     9.    Christine Rose, Nicknames Past and Present 5th Edition Expanded, (San Jose: CR Publications, 2007), p.12-13.

     10.   "Mrs. Jane Blacketer Passed on Suddenly," The Cameron News-Observer (Missouri), 26 April 1944, p. 1, col. 6, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/1122192751/ : accessed 8 September 2025). Also, "Mrs. Jane Blacketer," The Cameron Sun (Missouri), 27 April 1944, p. 5, cols. 1 and 2, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/338263322/ : accessed 9 September 2025). And, "Mattie Jane Blacketer," The Cameron Sun (Missouri), 4 May 1944, p. 5, col. 1, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/338263374/ : accessed 8 September 2025).

     11.   "Mrs. Jane Blacketer," The Cameron Sun (Missouri), 27 April 1944, p. 5, cols. 1 and 2, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/338263322/ : accessed 9 September 2025). And, "Mattie Jane Blacketer," The Cameron Sun (Missouri), 4 May 1944, p. 5, col. 1, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/338263374/ : accessed 8 September 2025).

     12.   "Mrs. Jane Blacketer," The Cameron Sun (Missouri), 27 April 1944, p. 5, cols. 1 and 2, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/338263322/ : accessed 9 September 2025). 

     13.   1870 U.S. census, Adams County, Iowa, population schedule, Quincy township, page 13 (penned), dwelling 91, family 91, Sarah M. Smith in Andrew J. Davis household; imaged "U.S. Federal Census Collection," Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7163/ : 12 March 2024).

     14.   Selected: Death Certificate lists age 74 years and 10 months: "Missouri Death Certificates, 1910-1973," Missouri Secretary of State, imaged, Missouri Digital Heritage (https://www.sos.mo.gov/images/archives/deathcerts/1944/1944_00014457.PDF : viewed 25 March 2024), certificate image, Martha Jane Blacketer, 26 April 1944, no. 14461. Age 10 in 1880: 1880 U.S. census, Nodaway, Missouri, Maryville, population schedule, Enumeration District (ED) 261, p. 31 (penned), p. 205 (stamped), dwelling 279, family 288, Mattie J. Smith in Harrison Blacketer household; imaged, “1880 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6742/ : 2 February 2024).

     15.   1900 U.S. census, Clinton County, Missouri, Shoal Township, Cameron City Ward 1-2, Enumeration District (ED) 41, population schedule, p. 164 (stamped), sheet 12-A, dwelling 268, family 272, Martha J. Blacketer in Harrison Blacketer household; imaged, “1900 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7602/: accessed 8 September 2025). 

     16.   1870 U.S. census, Adams County, Iowa, population schedule, Quincy township, page 13 (penned), dwelling 91, family 91, Sarah M. Smith in Andrew J. Davis household; imaged "U.S. Federal Census Collection," Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7163/ : 12 March 2024).

     17.   1880 U.S. census, Nodaway, Missouri, Maryville, population schedule, Enumeration District (ED) 261, p. 31 (penned), p. 205 (stamped), dwelling 279, family 288, Mattie J. Smith in Harrison Blacketer household; imaged, “1880 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6742/ : 2 February 2024).

     18.   1870 U.S. census, Adams County, Iowa, population schedule, Quincy township, page 13 (penned), dwelling 91, family 91, Sarah M. Smith in Andrew J. Davis household; imaged "U.S. Federal Census Collection," Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7163/ : 12 March 2024). And, 1880 U.S. census, Nodaway, Missouri, Maryville, population schedule, Enumeration District (ED) 261, p. 31 (penned), p. 205 (stamped), dwelling 279, family 288, Mattie J. Smith in Harrison Blacketer household; imaged, “1880 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6742/ : 2 February 2024).

Karma, More Asses, and a Tragedy

Karma

According to my great grandfather's obituary, he became injured while serving in the U.S. Army. But before that tragedy, he also encountered some more mules which they used to drive wagons. At the end of the Civil War, Harrison Blacketer's company was sent to the Plains in order to escort the U.S. Mail between Fort Mitchell in Nebraska and Fort Laramie in Wyoming. [1] While driving the mules to grass to eat, possibly in the fall of 1865, a mule kicked Harrison in the chest. [2]

The meditative mule by Forbes, Edwin, 1839-1895. Credit: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Civil War Photographs, LC-DIG-ppmsca-20669.

A person might think this was just karma for him shooting a mule while stinkin' drunk. And that person might be right. While it hurt, Harrison did not stop what he was doing that day. He just went on about his business.

Tragedy

Then on an icy winter evening in January of 1866 he and some of his comrades were headed to Fort Laramie escorting the mail when his horse slipped on ice while crossing Horse Creek. Harrison explained:

"In crossing Horse Creek, which was frozen, my horse slipped and fell. He fell on me. When he tried to get up he fell on me again. He tried several times to get up, and each time fell on me. The ice was so slick he could not get up. He was not sharp shod. Some of the horses were sharp shod, but not all were shod. When my horse fell I was thrown on the ice, striking my head and stunning me, and while I lay there my horse kicked me in the face in his efforts to get up. In falling the horse fell on me, crushing my left hand, arm and shoulder. I could not get away. I could not move. Although stunned at first, I was not entirely unconscious. But it all happened so quickly that I could not get away. The soldiers who were there rescued me. There were five or six of us...the bones of my left hand, left elbow and left shoulder were broken as well as dislocated. There were two gashes in my forehead. I could not say whether the frontal bone was broken. There was also a gash in my upper lip on the left side. A couple of teeth were knocked out, but my jaw was not broken..."[3]

Despite his injuries, Harrison continued on to Fort Laramie:

"I went horseback. There was no other way to go. The mail was carried on a mule. At Ft. Laramie there was no hospital or doctor. At Ft. Laramie I was cared for only by the soldiers. I was cared for in the tent of T.J. McBeath by him and James Thibedeaux. They merely tied up my wounds. They couldn't do anything else. I remained at Ft. Laramie a day or two, then returned to Ft. Mitchell with the mail escort. I went horseback. There was no other way to go...there was no hospital at Ft. Mitchell. Sgt. Reynolds took me to the tailor and had him sew up my lip. He sewed it with common black thread and a big needle. I took cold and the wounds of my lip and forehead swelled up and my eyes were affected. My eyes were sore and the sight was affected. My eyes were not wounded...Dr. Linn attended me at Ft. Mitchell for a time, but he was not there all the time...My captain John Collar, and some of the boys took care of me...Dr. Linn dressed my wounds, but did not set any broken bones or replace any dislocated joints...gangrene set in in the wound in my elbow, but not in the other wounds. The wounds had healed by the time I was discharged, except the left elbow, and that healed over afer my discharge."[4]

I cannot imagine the pain Harrison endured that fateful night or the days after. I think it is safe to say Harrison incurred a traumatic brain injury (TBI) which might explain the blurry vision though his eyes were not directly hit. I can't imagine having to endure the crushing of his left shoulder, elbow, and hand. and them never being fixed. However, much like him dusting himself and going about his business when the mule kicked him in his chest, after discharge, Harrison carried out a pretty active life considering his handicaps after he mustered out on 9 April 1866 at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas. 

I'm waiting for some documents to help tell that part of his story after the Civl War, but next up we'll fast-forward and look at his later and, apparently, only marriage to my great grandmother. At least, I think it was his only marriage. I hope. You'll see what I mean. Because ancestors.

Harrison Blacketer > James Wesley Blacketer > Carolyn Marie Blacketer > Caroline Martin Marshall

Sources:

1. Harrison Blacketer Civil War Pension File; p.115; Pointer Family Papers; privately held by Caroline Pointer [Address for Private Use,] Conroe, Texas, 2020. This photocopy of the file was made by Judy Hopkins of Boise, Idaho in 2018 from her own family collection. She obtained the file from the Veterans Administration in 2000. Each page was numbered by hand by Judy 1-256, but is missing pages 149-156. The photocopy is easily read. The VA has declared the original file to be lost.

2. Ibid.; p. 121; Pointer Family Papers.

3. Ibid.; p. 115-116; Pointer Family Papers.

4. Ibid.; p. 116-117; Pointer Family Papers.

~Caroline

How Did Harrison Blacketer's Life Turn Out?

I thought we'd jump back to my great grandfather Harrison Blacketer.  How did his life turn out? We left him doing hard labor with a ball-and-chain on his leg and a sign on his back. Despite his poor choice as a young soldier, he went on to have a good life as far as I have been able to uncover. He and his wife did get caught in a lie at one point, but we will get to that later this week. But I thought I'd share a transcription of his obituary and a picture of his and Mattie's tombstone that I took a year-and-a-half ago. Any genealogist would be elated to find this obituary, I think. It is chock-full of information and stories to unpack. And we will get to those this week with some of the storytelling coming from Harrison himself. The information in the obituary is mostly true. For fun, any guesses of what isn't true? 

Tombstone

Harrison and Martha Jane Blacketer's Tombstone in Graceland Cemetery.

Obituary Transcription

Source: "Harrison Blacketer Dead," The Cameron Sun (Missouri), 22 April 1915, p. 5, col. 5; Newspapers.com (http://newspapers.com : accessed 6 May 2018).

HARRISON BLACKETER DEAD

Had Been a Resident of Cameron

For Many Years—Funeral

Services and Interment

Saturday

     Harrison Blacketer was born in

Indiana, April 21, 1845.  Died at

Cameron, Mo., April 16, 1915, fol-

lowing an illness of a week.  He

moved with his father when a boy

to Missouri, locating at Bethany in

Harrison county.  At the age of 16

he enlisted as a soldier in the Army

of the Republic, Company H, Twelfth

Missouri Cavalry, and served three

years.  At the end of the war his 

company was transferred to the

plains to fight the Indians.  It was

while he was in this service carry-

ing the mail from Fort Loramie to

Fort Mitchell he received his injury

from his horse falling on the ice.

     He was married to Miss Martha

Jane Smith April 27, 1890.  To this 

union were born three children:

Wesley, 21; Mildred, 13; and Mau-

rice, 9.  Mr. Blacketer moved to

Cameron in the year 1895 and lived

here till his death.  The funeral serv-

ices were held at the First Methodist

Church, conducted by the pastor,

Rev. G.H. Zentz, Saturday, April

17.  Interment was made at Grace-

land cemetery.

[End of transcription.]

~Caroline

Paw Paw's Birth—Born in 1913, Filed in 1932

Source:  Johnson County, Illinois, "Record of Births Reported to County Clerk," delayed birth certificate unnumbered (1932), volume 5, p. 427, Retta May Martin; County Clerk's Office, Vienna.

[Note: Pre-printed form with transcribed answers in bold.]

Record of Births Reported to County Clerk

427 [stamped]

Certificate of Birth

1. PLACE OF BIRTH

    County of: Johnson

    Township of, Road District of, or Village of: [Blank]

    or City of: [Blank]

    Registration District No.: [Blank]

    Primary District No.: [Blank]

    Registered No. (Consecutive No.): [Blank]

    Street and Number, No.: [Blank]

    St.: [Blank]

    Ward: [Blank]

    Hospital: [Blank]

    (If birth occurred in hospital or institution, give its name instead of street and number.)

2. FULL NAME OF CHILD: Retta May Martin

    If child is not yet named, make supplemental report, as directed.

3. Sex of Child: F

4. Twin, triplet, or other?: [Blank]

5. Number in order of birth: [Blank]

    (To be answered only in the event of Plural births.)

6. Legitimate?: yes

7. Date of birth: (Month) May (Day) 28 (Year) 1914

FATHER

8. FULL NAME: J.A. Martin

9. RESIDENCE (P.O. Address) Buncombe

10. COLOR: white

11. AGE AT LAST BIRTHDAY: 41 Years

12. BIRTHPLACE (City or Place): [Blank]

      (Name State, if in U.S.): Ill

      (Name County, if Foreign): [Blank]

13. OCCUPATION: Engineer

      (Nature of Industry): [Blank]

MOTHER

14. FULL MAIDEN NAME: Lilly may Ally

15. RESIDENCE (P.O. Address): Buncombe

16: COLOR: White

17: AGE AT LAST BIRTHDAY: 21 Years

18. BIRTHPLACE (City or Place): [Blank]

      (Name State, if in U.S.): Ill

      (Name Country, if Foreign): [Blank]

19. OCCUPATION: Hwife

      (Nature of Industry): [Blank]

20. NUMBER OF CHILDREN OF THIS MOTHER (Taken as of time of birth of child herein certified and including this child)

      (a) Born alive and now living: 3

      (b) Born alive and now dead: 1

      (c) Stillborn: 0

WHAT TREATMENT WAS GIVEN CHILD'S EYES AT BIRTH?: [Blank]

21. CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDING PHYSICIAN OR MIDWIFE*

I hereby certify that I attended the birth of this child, who was born alive at [BLANK] M., on the date above stated.

*When there is no attending physician or midwife, then the father, mother, householder, etc., shall make this return.  See Sec. 12 of vital stastistics law.

22. (Signature) (Physician or Midwife): J.A. Martin Father M.D. Midwife

      Address: [Blank]

      Telephone: [Blank]

      Date Certificate Signed: (Month) [Blank] (Day) [Blank] Year 192[Blank]

23. Given name added from a supplemental report: (Month) [Blank] (Day) [Blank], (Year) 192[Blank]

      Registrar: [Blank]

24. Filed: [Blank], 192[Blank]

      Registrar: [Blank]

      Post Office Address: [Blank]

Filed for Record this 5/11 day of [Blank] 19232

Clerk: Martha. E. Burris, [Signature]

**********

Analysis

While not marked as delayed, it is a delayed birth registration. J.A. Martin, or Joel Arthur Martin clearly registered his daughter Retta May Martin's (Paw Paw, my paternal grandmother) birth well after her birth. It is not surprising her parents did not register it earlier since they lived in rural Johnson County, Illinois. 

Handwriting suggests the person who filled out the form is the same person who signed "J.A. Martin Father" but differs from the clerk's signature. It is possible that Joel filled it out himself as he could read and write.[1] There is no registration number assigned to this registration. The spelling of her name differs from how she spelled it, "Rettie Maye". The listed date of birth differs from what Paw Paw reported on her social security application, 28 April 1913, which is also listed on her death certificate.[2]

My Notes and Thoughts

Rettie Maye Martin, 15 years old, abt. 1928.

Most likley born at her rural home, it is hard to say which birthdate is correct for her because she wasn't exactly truthful about a lot of things for many reasons, some known. Also, I wonder what prompted him to do it on 11 May 1932, specifically. Paw Paw did not apply for a social security number until 1968, but that is usually why a delayed birth certificate would be needed. [3]

Rettie Maye with her son Joseph Marshall, February 1937

There are two reasons I am interested in this document. First, I am trying to track down where she was after 1930 and before December 1936, when my father was born.[4] Did she go back to southern Illinois between living in Fort Bend County, Texas in 1930 and living in San Antonio, Bexar, Texas in 1936? Did she go back and forth?

L-R: Carole Marshall, Joel Arthur Martin, and Joseph Marshall, c.1942

Second, her father Joel, my paternal great grandfather, is a mystery, too, in this time period and around his death in 1948.[5] This document nails his feet down, so to speak, in Johnson County on that filing date in 1932. When I received her birth certificate after going back and forth with the state archives and the county clerk's office, I was just so happy to have received it that his occupation did not click with me until I transcribed the form. He listed "Engineer" as his occupation.

I had previously hypothesized he had worked for the railroad: 

• There isn't much industry in southern Illinois other than agriculture, the railroad, and coal.
• I have a photo of him in a uniform that makes one think "railroad."
• His pocketwatch was one that a railroad worker would have used.
• And in 1930, seemingly randomly since they were from Johnson County, Illinois, his children—Roscoe (19), Rettie Maye (16), and Mabel (14)—are living by themselves on a rented farm in rural Fort Bend County, Texas, near the town of Katy, named after the Missouri, Kansas, Texas (M-K-T) railroad line. [6]

Joel Arthur Martin and his pocketwatch.

When I looked at some railroad maps in that time period, I determined one could take the train from Vienna, Illinois, to St. Louis, Missouri, and hop on a Missouri, Kansas, Texas (M-K-T) train and be on their way down to Ft. Bend County, Texas. Also, the M-K-T had a stop in San Antonio, Bexar, Texas, where Paw Paw eventually ended up and gave birth to my dad in 1936. Likewise, one can also hop on a M-K-T train in Texas and head back home pretty easily too. Wild and far-fetched, I know, but...

That one word, "Engineer," on the occupation blank on her delayed birth certificate was exciting to see and lends a little more weight to my theory. Now to find the M-K-T railroad files. The Houston History Research Center has some M-K-T records. I'll contact them to see what all they have. And I'll explore the railroad history in Johnson County, Illinois. Did Joel work for them? Are there any extant records? What kind? By 1940, Joel is not working and living in Bloomfield, Illinois, near his youngest daughter Mabel and her family, but it is possible he did not die in Illinois at all.[7] So, if not, where did he die? Maybe he died there and it wasn't recorded, like his daughter's birth.

Someone recorded Joel's death on his tombstone and another memorialized it on Find A Grave. It indicates he died in 1948. [8] 

• The state of Illinois and Johnson County do not have a record of his death. [9]
• He doesn't appear on the Social Security Index. [10]
• He doesn't appear on the Railroad Retirement Index (1934-1987). [11] 

Presumably family buried him next to his wife Lillie May in the Taylor United Methodist Church in Vienna where their landline is no longer working. [12]😅I contacted the Johnson County Genealogical Society via Facebook, but they directed me to Find A Grave. I then wrote the society, but they did not have any information sbout my Martin family, but they verified the church was still open and passed along my inquiry about the church to someone at the church. That person sent me a random picture of Joel's tombstone (from Find A Grave) via text, but did not return my immediate text response explaining that I was in search of his burial record, nor did they answer my phone call. So, I've explained to my husband that if my letter direct to the church yields nothing, then we need to head to Johnson County, Illinois, because I think being boots on the ground would be easier. And faster. LOL. I could then have a look-see at probate, tax, and land records too.😘 

So, more work to do to flesh out their story and to solve other research problems. Our work is never done is it?

~Caroline

1. 1900 U.S. census, Johnson County, Illinois, Bloomfield, population schedule, Enumeration District (ED) 36, p. 176 (stamped), sheet 8-B, dwelling 113, family 113, Joel Martin household; image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7602/ : 12 August 2021), National Archives microfilm T623, roll 309.

2. Maye Marshall, SS no. 451-98-8135, 12 August 1968, Application for Account Number (Form SS-5), Social Security Administration, Maryland. Also, Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statstics Unit, death certificate no. 142-03-036004, Maye M. Marshall, 9 April 2003; Texas Department of Health, Austin.

3. Maye Marshall, SS no. 451-98-8135, 12 August 1968, Application for Account Number (Form SS-5), Social Security Administration, Maryland.

4. City of San Antonio Board of Health, birth certificate no. 6441 (1936), Baby Martin; Bureau of Vital Statistics, San Antonio. And, Texas Department of State Health Services, delayed birth certificate no. 843951 (1943), Joesph Kent Marshall Jr; Vital Statstics Unit, Austin.

5. Ancestry, Find A Grave (http://www.findagrave.com : 25 March 2021), database with images, memorial #50505974, Joel Arthur Martin (1871-1948), Taylor United Methodist Church Cemetery, Vienna, Johnson, Illinois; gravestone photograph by chris cornell.

6. 1930 U.S. census, Fort Bend, Texas, Precinct 8, population schedule, Enumeration District (ED) 20, p. 283 (stamped), sheet 1-B, dwelling no. 20, family no. 20, Roscow Martin household; image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6224/ : 11 July 2011), National Archives microfilm T626, roll 2333. 

7. 1940 U.S. census, Johnson County, Illinois, Bloomfield, population schedule, Enumeration District (ED) 44-1, p. 3423 (stamped), sheet 1-B, household 18, James W. Blacketer household; image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 19 Mar 2020); National Archives microfilm T627, roll 4208.

8. Ancestry, Find A Grave (http://www.findagrave.com : 25 March 2021), database with images, memorial #50505974, Joel Arthur Martin (1871-1948), Taylor United Methodist Church Cemetery, Vienna, Johnson, Illinois; gravestone photograph by chris cornell.

9. Illinois Department of Health, "Certification That Record Was Not Found," 14 December 2020, Joel Arthur Martin, date of death 1948, Johnson County, Illinois. And, Johnson County Clerk, Letter indicating record not found, 11 April 2022, Joel Arthur Martin, date of death 1948, Johnson County, Illinois.

10. "U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014," database and images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/3693/ : 22 March 2022), negative search for "Joel Arthur Martin"and "J.A. Martin" born in 1871, died in 1948.

11. "U.S., Railroad Retirement Pension Index, 1934-1987," database and images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61597/ : 2 April 2022), negative search for "Joel Arthur Martin" and "J.A. Martin" born in 1871, died in 1948. 

12. Ancestry, Find A Grave (http://www.findagrave.com : 25 March 2021), database with images, memorial #50505974, Joel Arthur Martin (1871-1948), Taylor United Methodist Church Cemetery, Vienna, Johnson, Illinois; gravestone photograph by chris cornell.