Wayne County

Dr. E. Blackford

1884 Biographical Sketches of Mt. Erie Twp

Dr. E. Blackford, Physician,  was born in White County, Illinois on November 20, 1825, and is a son of Maj. Nathaniel and Mary (Bradberry) Blackford.

The father was a native of  Kentucky, being born in Warren County on March 16, 1794, and was of English descent. The mother was a native of North Carolina.

Our subject was the fourth of nine children, of whom five are now living--

  1. Nancy J. Hunsinger (of White County, Illinois)
  2. Dr. E. Blackford (our subject)
  3. Francis M. Blackford (of Woodruff County, Ark.
  4. Andrew J.
  5. Martin V. (of Lono, Ark.)

Our subject's education was received in the subscription schools of his county. He assisted his father on the home farm until eighteen and then commenced life by farming for himself in the summer and teaching school in the winter.  The father moved to Wayne County in 1860, and our subject came with him. The father died on May 24, 1862, and the mother on September 23, 1869; both now lie buried in Mount Erie Cemetery.

Our subject followed farming and teaching until 1864, and then commenced studying medicine with Dr. Samuel Mundy,of Mount Erie. He remained with the latter two years, and then commenced practicing for himself, and has followed it very successfully ever since in Mount Erie and adjoining townships, nowhaving a full share of the practice of that part of Wayne County.

Dr. Blackford was married in White County, Illinois on September 2, 1842, to Mary Ann Lawler, a daughter of Jehu T. and Patsey (Walker) Lawler, probably natives of Tennessee. Mrs. Blackford was born in Northern Alabama on May 17, 1823, and is the mother of ten children, four of whom are now living, viz.,

  1. Mary J. (born July 27, 1849, and now the wife of J.K. Price, of Mount Erie Township)
  2. Edith S. (born August 13, 1856, and now running a millinery store in Mount Erie)
  3. Esther E. (born on April 30, 1864, and now the wife of Charles Cox, of Mount Erie Township).

The following are the deceased children, viz.:

  1. John B.,born August 5, 1843, died September 10, 1875
  2. Henry, born April 17, 1845, died August 14, 1846
  3. Sarah M., born December 8, 1853, died September 6, 1854
  4. Ephraim J., born September 20, 1858, died December 27, 1862
  5. Mary  E., born July 15, 1867, died October 9, 1880
  6. infant, birth not recorded

Mr. and Mrs. Blackford are both members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Blackford has served as Police Magistrate of Mount Erie for eight years; is now acting as Notary public; has also served as Town Clerk three terms; has also been School Trustee and Director; is identified in politics with the Democratic party.

Note from Sandy: the fourth living child was not named in the bio but the following 1870 census records show Ephraim and Mary Ann Blackford living in Mt. Erie Twp, Wayne County, IL with the following children:

Ephrim Blackford age 45
Mary Ann Blackford age 47
John B. Blackford age 25
Mary E. Blackford age 22
Frances H. age 12
Hester E. Blackford age 6

In 1860 census they were living in White County, IL with the following children:

Ephraim Blackford age 35 M
Mary A. Blackford age 37 F
John B. Blackford age 16 M
Mary E. Blackford age 12 F
Martha Blackford age 10 F
Edith S. Blackford age 8 F
Francis Blackford age 3 F
Ephraim J. Blackford age 1 M

1850 census Dist 13, White County, IL Ehpreasus/Ephraim? Blackford age 25
Mary A. Blackford age 27
John B. Blackford age 6
Mary E. Blackford age 3
Martha J. Blackford age 1

Mary Ann's gravestone is posted on Findagrave at Little Wabash Cemetery in Crossville, White County, IL here:
gravestone photo

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