- H. H. BLANCHARD, a member of the legal fraternity of Janesville,
is located at No. 10, West
- Milwaukee street. He makes a specialty of real estate and
the foreclosure of mortgages, and dates his residence in that
city from April, 1862. He was born in Schoharie County, N.Y.
May 11, 1840, and received the name of William Henry Harrison
BLANCHARD, his father evidently being an admirer of that soldier
and statesman, who was nominated for the Presidency about the
time of the birth of our subject. But the name being somewhat
long for practical use, Mr. BLANCHARD omits the first part.
- Lebbeus BLANCHARD, the father of our subject, was also a
native of Schoharie County, and
- one of a family of four brothers. He married Mrs. Rhoda BOYNTON,
whose maiden name was DEUEL and who was born in Albany County,
N.Y. She belongs to one of the early families of Eastern New
York, noted for longevity, many of them having attained to a
very old age. Her father lived beyond the age of one hundred
years, and her mother died at the age of ninety-six. Her first
husband, Samuel BOYNTON, died of cholera Aug. 29, 1832. Of the
five children born to them - Oliver and Samuel are now living
in Schoharie County, N.Y.; two daughters and a son - Mary, Ruth
and William - died in the same county. Mr. and Mrs. BLANCHARD
were the parents of four sons, all of whom are living, and with
the exception of our subject are residents of New York. Eli,
the owner of the old homestead farm, is living in Quaker Street
village, Schenctady County; Ira owns and occupies a farm in Wright
Township, Schoharie County; H. H. is the next in order of birth;
and Riley is also a resident of Wright engaged in mercantile
business. The father of these children was a farmer by occupation
and died May 12, 1852, at the age of forty years. He was a man
of strong physical powers, his death resulting from injuries
received by the kick of a horse. His wife is still living at
the age of eighty-seven years, having been born Feb. 22, 1802.
- The subject of this sketch was reared to farm life, and his
primary education was received at the
- district schools, being supplemented by a course at the Gallupsville
Academy. In 1852, when about twelve years of age he met with
an accident, the dislocation of his left hip, while engaged in
play with his school fellows. This misfortune rendered him permanently
lame and is one motive that led him to adopt a professional life.
In the spring of 1863, he began the study of law in the office
of Hobart CRUMB, Esq., of Schoharie, N.Y., continuing with that
gentleman until June, 1864, where he engaged in the law-office
of FRISBY & WEIL. He was admitted to the bar in that place
in October, 1864, by Judge John E. MANN, who was then Judge of
the 3d Judicial circuit of Wisconsin, and is now County Judge
of Milwaukee County. While at West Bend, Mr. BLANCHARD formed
a partnership with Henry J. WEIL, under the firm name of BLANCHARD
& WEIL, which connection continued until 1869, when it was
dissolved by mutual consent, Mr. BLANCHARD continuing alone until
May, 1871. At that time he removed to Waterloo, Wis., where he
resided until August, 1872, when he became a resident of Jefferson.
In the month of April, following he established an office and
has since been engaged in practice.
- On the 3d day of November, 1885, Mr. BLANCHARD completed
his arrangements for a home
- by wedding Mrs. Mary H. THOMAS, their union being celebrated
at Janesville. The lady, who was a widow of Evan THOMAS, and
whose maiden name was DENNETT, was born in the town of Milton,
June 10, 1846. Her first husband was a native of Wales and came
to this country when a youth. He was a boot and shoe merchant
of Janesville, and died Oct. 17, 1882. Jeremiah DENNETT, the
father of Mrs. BLANCHARD, was born at Portsmouth, N.H., about
1800, and learned the trade of carpenter. His wife, whose maiden
name was Mary JOHNSTON, was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1808,
and came to America with her parents in childhood. Shortly after
their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. DENNETT removed to Canada, where
they lived until 1845, when they came to Rock County, settling
in Milton Township. Here Mr. DENNETT improved a farm, making
it his homestead until his death, which occurred in 1871. His
wife died April 11, 1889, at the age of eighty-one years. They
were the parents of five children, who reached maturity, while
one son died in infancy. Four of that number are now living -
James, who resides on the old homestead in Milton Township; George,
whose farm adjoins that of his brother; Mary H., now Mrs. BLANCHARD;
John, who is engaged in farming in Janesville Township; Agnes
E., married John LOOK, and died at her home in Sioux Falls, Dak.
in August, 1886.
- In his political sentiments, Mr. BLANCHARD is a Republican,
and has taken an active part in
- promoting the interests of that party, by delivering speeches
and in other ways. His first Presidential vote was cast for Abraham
Lincoln in 1864. He has been Notary Public for many years, and
for several years acted as President of the Young Men's Library
Association of Janesville. As a lawyer he ranks high, and as
a citizen has the respect and esteem of all who know him.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 558-559.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|