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

Thriller Thursday: Who's the Ass Now?

Bad Decisions

Humans have been making bad decisions since the beginning of time. We've all made them. No one gets a pass on bad decision-making, not even our ancestors. Some poor decisions have been quite spectacular, especially when alcohol was involved. On about 20 March 1865, my Great Grandfather Harrison Blacketer made one such bad decision, and, thankfully for us, it was recorded.😅

Drunkeness

During the Civil War, Harrison served as a private in Company H of the 12th Missouri Cavalry Volunteers. Captain Collar ordered ten men and one sergeant from Company H to escort a forage train from Eastport, Mississippi, to a specific spot on Bear Creek. And Harrison was one of those ten privates. The only problem was Harrison was stinkin' drunk.

All prosecutorial witnesses stated he had been drunk. Pvt. John D. Shelton testified, "He acted very much like he was drunk." Pvt. James J. Thibedeaux simply stated, "Blacketer was light," but then later elaborated that he "...saw him drink and he was making a noise and laughing." When the Judge Advocate asked about any remarkable behavior, Pvt. Thibedeaux replied, "Yes it was remarkable. Sometimes he talked loud." Sergeant William G. Wallace shared Harrison was "...whooping and making a noise and acted differently from what he was when sober."

Virginia. Mule team crossing brook. Credit: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Civil War Photographs, LC-GIG-cwpb-03869. 

Destruction

But Harrison wasn't just charged with "Drunkeness while on duty," they also charged him with "Destruction of Government Property."

Sgt. Wallace explained he had gone to the landing for the wagons and when he returned, he had found some of the ten men had been drinking. He thought Harrison '...was so drunk he did not know what he was about." So he kept Harrison and the other inebriated soldiers in the train's rear with him. Pvt. William H. Grover passed them by to move further ahead on his mule when Harrison pulled out his revolver and it went off shooting the mule Pvt. Grover was riding. The mule died the next day.

Pvt. Thibedeaux further explained that as they were traveling, "Blacketer Said [sic] if he saw a citizen Rebel he would shoot him and pulled out his revolver and it went off." Sgt. Wallace agreed as he thought the shooting of the mule was unintentional because he "...never heard him make any threats."

Here's Your Sign

Though Harrison pled not guilty to the charges, he refused counsel. The Court found him guilty on both charges, but ruled it accidental, not criminal. The Court sentenced him to hard labor for twenty days wearing a ten-pound ball-and-chain on his leg and a board on his back that read, "This is the result of drunkeness on duty."

I wonder what Harrison felt about it? Any regrets?

Source:

Harrison Blacketer (Pvt., Co. H, 12 Mo. Cav., Civil War), court martial case file no. MM-3053, March 1865–March 1865; National Archives ID no. 1848679; Court Martial Case Files, December 1800-October 1894; Record Group 153: Records of the Office of the Judge Advocate General (Army); National Archives, Washington, D.C.

~Caroline

Note: Anne Kruszka of Gene Notes created the blog post prompt Thriller Thursday as listed in Daily Prompts on Geneabloggers.

DAR, Some Secrets, Brother Ed, and the Mayans

US Navy 060417-N-8157C-162 The American flag flies prominently during the World Patriot Tour performance at Hickam Air Force Base (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Every time I go to a DAR event [and I'd say even the meetings are events...pomp and circumstance...which is a very nice surprise amidst my usual days filled with mediocrity] and every time I go to my GenSoc meetings, I feel the pressure to get my DAR app completed.

It's not a bad kind of pressure, and it certainly comes from myself. So while working on several app reviews for my 4YourFamilyStory.com site and while monitoring the new Google Plus Communities that Kenneth R. Marks [from TheAncestorHunt.com blog] and I created and while Christmas shopping, I've been going over my research plans trying to figure out what I need to do so I can get my DAR [Daughter of the American Revolution] and my UEL [United Empire Loyalist] applications completed.

And then I got my 23andMe DNA results and I was sidetracked for a while. {And, no, the results won't help me with this research problem. That would have been nice though.}

But now I'm back.

So. I thought I'd list what I need to do next. {And, no, this is not my research plan, my research plans, or my research log. This is a very informal update of where I am and what I plan to do next and some of the reasons why. My formal research plans and research log are located in OneNote in table and narrative formats.} 

After consulting with my DAR Chapter's Registrar by phone a month ago, I found that I don't need to take my supposed Patriot line back to my supposed-but-proven-for-others-Patriot, Melchior Stock because his son, who is my proposed ancestor, Matthias Stock is also a proven-for-others-Patriot. [That's right 2 of them are proven Patriots.] But? I don't even have to prove Matthias' relationship to his son Michael Stock/Stuck [my ancestor] because it's already been done via another descendant of Michael's, through one of his sons.

Now, I don't descend through that same son of Michael's. Nope. I descend through one of his daughters, Margaret Barbara Stuck who married a Mr. Rook and their daughter, Susannah Rook married Benjamin Brown Vaughan, and it's through their son, Daniel Rook Vaughan, that I descend.

Well, him and the very Catholic Annie J. O'Brien from Ireland.

{As a sidenote, my cousin who descends from Daniel and Annie & who found me through this blog, is coming to Texas in January to photograph tombstones, including Daniel's and Annie's. And since I think I found it last year, but it's broken and was too heavy to turn over and verify, we're looking into identifying it and getting it repaired. So we've been collaborating on family info and such via email. Bonus!}

Anywho. My work was lessened somewhat by my local DAR Chapter's Registrar and I found a cousin and I got my DNA test results back. It's raining genealogy here, no?

Oh, and I checked with my local DAR Chapter's Regent about my grandfather. {We're in the same GenSoc and I strategically sat by her at the Christmas Party a little over a week ago, which was a blast, BTW.} Anywho, I told her about my grandfather probably not being divorced before he married my Gran, and she asked if they'd married, and I said yes, and she said no problem. So. My wayward grandfather isn't going to be a stumbling block on my road to DAR membership. {At least, not yet.}

So. Here's what I still need to get and what I have for each generation:

My Birth & Marriage: No prob. Got those.

My parents BMDs: No prob. Got those. [Well, it is a problem that I have their D's, but there's not much I can do about it.]

My Mom's Parents:

Mary Alice Velda Truitt Blacketer {or my Gran}

Death - Can I order a copy of my Gran's death certificate? No. Her death occurred less than 25 years ago here in Texas and for recent deaths {less than 25 years} only immediate-to-her family members can order them. So. I have one aunt and a couple of uncles that could order it, but I'm not close to them nor in touch with them. However, I do have an aunt-by-marriage that I am in touch with so I can ask her if she happens to have a copy. If not, then I'll need to turn to some secondary documentation. An obit would be nice and since I was there at my Gran's funeral and know that my Mom created the obituary, I happen to know my Gran had one. So I need to look for that. She does appear in the Texas Death Index as well as the SSDI. So once I get a copy of her obituary, I can send off for a copy of her Social Security Application. Also, when I go to San Antonio, I need to visit Gran and snap a photo of her tombstone. {Of course, tombstones can be wrong and not very reliable information-wise - especially for birth info - but I'd like it for my records. And I'll be there, so why not?}

Birth - The problem with her birth is that it seems to vary by 1 or 2 years in the census records {which is not unusual, but in her case it doesn't make sense because of her birthday versus the date of enumeration on the census records} and is {maybe} unclear on her U.S. Passport Application. And I'll write more in detail later after I try to obtain some better documentation, which brings me to her Good-Better-Best documentation options for her birth event.

Best case scenario would be a copy of her birth record. However, according to The Family Tree Resource Book for Genealogists: The Essential Guide to American County and Town Sources, edited by Sharon DeBartolo Carmack and Erin Nevius, statewide birth recordings didn't start until 1914 in Louisiana; Rapides Parish is an original Parish; and there is no information listed for birth records in the Parish at all (pp.282-283 and pp. 293-294). And further general information about birth records is given for after statewide recordings began and Catholic church records are suggested for before (pp.282-283). Additionally, a survey of Clayton Library for Genealogical Research's Microprint Collection and their online card catalog yielded nothing for finding birth records before statewide recordings in Louisiana around my Gran's birth year. And a look at FamilySearch.org's online databases as well as their online card catalog yielded nothing as well as for birth records for Rapides Parish, Louisiana before statewide recordings of births and for around the time she was born. So, unless someone out there knows of anything else, I'm going to say - right now - that it probably doesn't exist.

St Mary's Catholic Church, San Antonio (Photo credit: Rennett Stowe)

Better case scenario would be her baptismal record. I found on an index on FamilySearch.org that she was baptized in San Antonio, Texas in 1913 at St. Mary's Catholic Church downtown. So after such a resounding success with obtaining my Boo's {Gran's mother} baptismal record from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Archives, I thought this might not be as difficult as I once thought. However, I talked to a very over-worked Brother Ed at the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio Archives, and they're understaffed. 

In fact, it's just Brother Ed. 

Archiving all by himself. 

And he's 'swamped'.

And he informed me it'd be quicker if I could just come down there and do it myself. 

Challenge accepted, Brother Ed. 

So. A trip to San Antonio {3 hours away} to rummage around the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio Archives looking for my Gran's baptismal record is now on my agenda.

Good case scenario would be a copy of her Social Security Application, it should have her birth date and place and her parent's names, but depending on when that was applied for, this will more than likely be a secondary document for her birth information and second best to her baptismal record, in my opinion, even though she would probably have needed her birth certificate {which I think doesn't exist}or an affidavit to apply for it, but it's direct because it should answer the question of her birth event. 

And this is the thinking behind my opinion: If her 'later' baptism was in 1913, then her baptismal record would be preferable because that would have been created closer to the event of her birth. And would clear up {or maybe not} her birth year.

squared circle - mayan calendar (Photo credit: Thom Watson)

But then what evidence did they provide for her Social Security Application and what, if any, did they provide for her baptism? Thus, I'm gonna try to get both. So, we'll see what we can get. And we'll see what we can see with what we get. {And perhaps her SSA is the better case scenario and her baptismal record is the good case scenario.}

{My suspicion is that my Gran was born before my Boo and Claudius were married and my very Catholic Boo tried to keep this under wraps. {And may be the reason my Gran was born in Cheneyville, Rapides Parish, Louisiana while the rest of the family was in Texas.} So, through trying to find evidence, I'll be exposing her secret, which I'm sure I'm going to hear about it from her in the After Life, which may be tomorrow, according to the Mayans.

So I need to collect what evidence I can, and write a proof argument for her birth based on the evidence and my interpretation of the evidence. {But not before tomorrow because I may not have to do the work.}

Marriage - Speaking of rummaging around the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio Archives, I might as well look for my Gran's and my naughty grandfather's {James Wesley Blacketer} marriage record, or blessing, or whatever. From the various indices found on FamilySearch.org, I've {intelligently, I think} guessed {and maybe incorrectly} that they had a civil marriage that was later blessed by a Father So-n-So at St. Mary's Catholic Church, downtown San Antonio. {More on my  guess below.} 

And then I'll go downtown to the courthouse and look for their civil marriage record and their divorce record. {Thanks to my Big Paw Paw's, my Dad's Dad, penchant for women and lawsuits in Bexar County, I know where to go for divorce records.}

Ironically and coincidentally, the courthouse is right next door to...

 {wait for it...wait for it...wait for it...} 

...St. Mary's Catholic Church downtown San Antonio. So. I'll snap a pic of that. {And perhaps I'll partake of some Holy Water on the forehead, some prayer, and maybe even light a candle. Lord knows my family lines and research need it, eh?}

James Wesley Blacketer {My naughty grandfather. The naughty one that is NOT Big Paw Paw, who also happens to be quite naughty in his own right and lived in San Antonio as well.}

Death - I have his death certificate compliments of FamilySearch.org and I already visited him at his grave located at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio and snapped a photo of his tombstone. {But his birth date is off by 2 years on his tombstone.} Oh, and I have his 2 obituaries, which the second has proven to be quite enlightening on some future stories of him, but nothing I need for my applications.

Birth - According to all documentation that I've collected on him, he was born in Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie, Iowa. Now, according to Iowa, I can order it as long as no one really dwells too much on the 'legal' part. {You know, that part where I'm not quite too sure he ever divorced his first wife before he married my Gran.} But while searching in FamilySearch.org, an index indicates that he was baptized a month after his marriage to my Gran at St. Mary's Catholic Church downtown San Antonio. 

Now, why would he do that? Simple. {I think.} To get the marriage blessed by the Catholic Church. Because if you don't think that my Gran's Gran, the very Catholic Annie O'Brien from Ireland and her mother, my very Catholic Boo {Alice Florence Vaughan Truitt} weren't fit to be tied when they found out about my Gran entering into marital bliss with James via a civil union, you're just plain crazy. Well, that's my {maybe intelligent but could be very wrong} guess anyways. 

So. While I'm rummaging around the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio Archives for my Gran's baptismal record and their marriage blessing, I'll have a look-see for James' very-late-but-very-necessary-to-my-Gran {and her mother and her Gran and the Catholic Church} baptismal record as well. At the same time, though, I'll order his birth record from Iowa. It's $15 and what's the worst they can say? No? And why would they? He was born in Iowa and grew up and married the first time in Missouri. {Not that he actually told anyone that. I've just dug around a lot for that info. And wouldn't you know? That marriage record was much easier to get.}

Alice Florence (Vaughan) Truitt {my Boo; my Gran's mother}

Death - I have her death certificate, and while I'm in San Antonio tracing her daughter's records, I'll have a visit with her at graveside and snap a pic of her tombstone for my records.

Birth - I already obtained her baptismal record. And many thanks to the not understaffed Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Archives for that. 

Marriage - Boo and ol' Claudius Roy Truitt {a.k.a., The Jerk} were married in San Antonio, or so says a book of San Antonio marriages in the genealogy department at my local library {15 minutes away.}, Montgomery County Memorial Library. And? Because the lovely local library is in possession of  the microfilm that contains their marriage record in Bexar County, I need to go snap a copy of that. {It's there. I've seen it. I just didn't get a copy at the time.} But? My Boo divorced 'The Jerk' in San Antonio, so while I'm at the courthouse in San Antonio, I might as well snag that record too, no? {'Cause I've learned from Big Paw Paw that sometimes divorce records are boring and sometimes they're not, but they're always full of info and stories.} And maybe I'll even look for their marriage record at the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio Archives. 'Cause why not? {Of course, they may not have married there. But I'll be there right next to the very over-worked Brother Ed. So why not look?}

Claudius Roy Truitt

Death - I have his death certificate via FamilySearch.org, and I hunted down his tombstone here in Houston and snapped a photo of it already.

Birth - I have a copy of his birth record compliments of Ancestry.com. {Thank goodness because he was born in Kentucky.}

{So. Basically, 'ol Claudius was reportedly a jerk in real life, but so far, he's not been a jerk to me and my research. So there's that.}

Daniel Rook Vaughan {my Boo's dad}

Death - I have his death certificate via fold3.com back when it was still footnote.com. And I may  have located his tombstone and {hopefully} on this same research trip, I can visit him gravesid

English: Plaque on the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Building in Washington, D.C., denoting the founding of the Knights of Pythias at that location in 1864. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

e {with my newly-found cousin} and verify that and snap a photo of his tombstone located in the Knights of Pythias cemetery. And speaking of the Knights of Pythias, I have his membership record from the San Antonio Chapter, and they recorded his death in his membership record. So I think I'm squared away on the evidence of his death. The former is direct and primary and the latter is not as primary and may even be secondary, but it is direct.

Birth - Daniel was born in 1847 in Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co, Michigan. And because his father's line is the Loyalist line, and because his father was baptized in the Church of England up in Noyan, Quebec, and because I have a suspicion {Thanks to a published history of the wee town of Ypsilanti.} Daniel's grandfather was the sexton of the still-open St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Ypsilanti and may be buried in the church's cemetery, I think Daniel's - if he was baptized and his family was Episcopalian {like me} like I suspect, baptismal records just might be there. I've already contacted them and they informed me that their records are archived in Ann Arbor which at the time didn't take email or snail mail lookup requests. But according to a recent search in FamilySearch.org, they've microfilmed them since the last time I searched. So I'll be placing a rental order. Of course, I could be wrong about their church membership, but I'll deal with that when I have to, if I have to. {His mother's line was decidedly Lutheran and Ypsilanti is a wee town.} So, on second thought, maybe I'll order the microfilm of the local Lutheran Church's records too.

New Orleans - French Quarter: St. Louis Cathedral (Photo credit: wallyg)

 Marriage - According to a book of New Orleans' marriages located in my local library, Daniel and Annie were married in 1874. So, I need to locate where the information came from. Further, it's indexed on FamilySearch.org so I'm going to need to do some digging around on that. And? Would Annie have insisted the marriage be in a Catholic Church or, perhaps, had it been blessed in one? Of course, that brings up which Catholic Church in New Orleans? {Am I allowed to *snort* at this question?} So, I need to do a more thorough survey of the available records and the locations of said records.

Also, note that Daniel was in the Civil War and received a pension that his widow, Annie, later collected. So. That's a good avenue for information as well for a whole lot of events. Hopefully. So that's going on order as well. But when I'll get it and what's in the pension file, I don't know. 

Annie J. (O'Brien) Vaughan {my Boo's mom}

Death - I have her death certificate via FamilySearch.org. And like I mentioned above, I'm pretty sure of her tombstone. The former is direct and primary for her death event. The latter is for my records.

Birth - I've written about this. And the closest document to the occurrence of her birth that shows her place of birth is her first child's baptismal record created in 1876. As far as the date is concerned, that's going to be the very secondary Death Certificate and her tombstone, once I snap a pic of it. Plus, there are the various census records she appears in which silently indicate she never became naturalized citizen. I'll need to write a proof argument explaining the places I've looked for her birth record information {and not found it}, and lay out the case for the secondary and indirect evidence supporting her birth event at the time of the writing of the proof argument.

And here is the Loyalist-Patriot split. Daniel's paternal line is the Loyalist line, and his maternal line is the Patriot line. But? I'll save that for another time. {And if you've made it this far in my ramblings, you should receive a reward from me, like me stopping for now.}

So. Me and some cemetery visits, some picture-taking, a new cousin, some microfilm ordering and reading, another visit to the Bexar County Courthouse, a visit to St. Mary's Cathedral, a visit to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio Archives, and Brother Ed are all on the horizon. 

Unless the Mayans were right.

San Antonio Texas Alamo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Other folks go to San Antonio for The Alamo. I'm going for some naughty ancestors. Again.  

~Caroline

Note: If you have some recommendations of places to look for those Louisiana records or any others, please let me know in comments below. However, please refrain from doing the actual research yourself. I know it's tempting and I appreciate the gesture, but I'd like to do it myself unless it's totally impossible for me to do it. And this is partly why I didn't give full dates even though I am aware of them and they are in my research plans. And I'm sure I glossed over a bunch of stuff including my complete thought processes, so if you're confused or have any questions or suggestions, please let me know in comments below.